UTAH
Do Not
circulate
/ OCj
bo Not
Do
. wfr
f
2
^
74
THE
HISTORY
OF
Holt % Atchison Counties,
MISSOURI
CONTAINING
A HISTORY OF THESE COUNTIES, THEIR CITIES, TOWNS, ETC., ETC.,
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OF THEIR CITIZENS, GENERAL AND LOCAL STATISTICS, POR-
TRAITS OF EARLY SETTLERS AND PROMINENT MEN, HISTORY OF
MISSOURI, MAP OF HOLT AND ATCHISON COUNTIES, ETC.
ILLUSTRATED.
ST. JOSEPH, MO.:
NATIONAL HISTORICAL COMPANY,
1882.
Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1882, by
O. P. WILLIAMS & CO.,
in the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington, D. C.
ST. JOSEPH, MO.:
- Joseph STBAM PRINT1NG CoMPANYj p,.^ ^^ ^
1882.
THE LIBRARY
BRIGHAM YOUNG V! i #
PROVO, UTAH
.37
T.63
T. 62
fc>
Q
<
V
^
T.ai
*>•
PREFACE.J^e*
What wonderful changes a few years have wrought in Northwest
Missouri ! Less than forty-five years ago not a single white man dwelt
within the present limits of Holt and Atchison Counties. Their soil
had, doubtless, occasionally been pressed by the reckless hunter and
daring adventurer, but their beautiful rolling prairies, their charming
timber-fringed streams and enchanting groves were the homes of the
antelope, the elk, the buffalo and the red man. How all has been
changed by the hand of progress ! To-day the busy hum of industry
everywhere resounds, and the voice of culture and refinement echo
where once was heard the howl of the wild beast and war-whoop of the
Indian. These have been years fraught with important events to the
sons and daughters from the old firesides of Kentucky, Virginia, Ten-
nessee, Ohio and Indiana and from the more distant homes beyond the
Atlantic. The energy and bravery of these hardy pioneers and their
descendants have made Holt -and Atchison Counties what they are.
Their labors have caused the wilderness to " bud and blossom as the
rose." and, to preserve the story of this wonderful change and to hand
it down to posterity as a link in the history of the great State of which
Holt and Atchison Counties form integral parts, has been the object of
this book. While the publishers do not arrogate to themselves a degree
of accuracy beyond criticism, they hope to have attained a large measure
of exactness in the compilation and arrangement of the almost innum-
erable incidents which are treated. These incidents have been gleaned
from the memory and notes of the old settlers, and although an error
may seemingly occur here and there, the reader must not hastily con-
clude that the history is in fault, but rather test his opinion with that of
others familiar with the facts. Among those whom we specially men-
tion as having greatly assisted us in the preparation of this work are
IV
PREFACE.
Hon. Thomas C. Dungan, Hon. L. R. Knowles, Hon. James Limbird,
James Scott, Esq., Colonel Clarke Irvine and T. H. Parrish, of Holt
County, and John D. Dopf, Cyrus N. VanPelt, Hon. J. P. Lewis, John W.
Smith, M. L. Lee, R. W. Trimble. A. E. Wyatt, L. C. Christian, R. Lynn,
John E. Spurlock, W. T. Buckham and D. A. Colvin, of Atchison County.
It only remains for us to tender the people of Holt and Atchison
Counties in general our thanks for the many courtesies extended to us'
and our representatives during the preparation of these annals ; without
their friendly aid, this history would have been left beneath the debris
of time, unwritten and unpreserved.
The Publishers.
S&k
■-*->-> if.-
ICONTENTS^-
HISTORY OF MISSOURI.
Page.
CHAPTER I.
LOUISIANA PURCHASE—
Brief Historical Sketch.
CHAPTER II.
DESCRIPTIVE AND GEOGRAPHICAL—
Name — Extent — Surface — Rivers —
Timber — Climate — Prairies — Soils —
Population by Counties ...... 14
CHAPTER III.
GEOLOGY OF MISSOURI-
Classification of Rocks — Quarternary
Formation — Tertiary — Cretaceous —
Carboniferous — Devonian — Silurian
— Azoic — Economic Geology — Coal
— Iron — Lead — Copper- Zinc— Build-
ing Stone — Marble — Gypsum — Lime
Paints — Springs — Water Power . . 20
CHAPTER IV.
TITLE AND EARLY SETTLEMENTS—
Title to Missouri Lands — Right of
Discovery — Title of France and Spain
— Cession to the United States — Ter-
ritorial Changes — Treaties with In-
dians—First Settlement — Ste. Gene-
vieve and New Bourbon — St. Louis —
When Incorporated — Potosi — St.
Charles — Portage Des Sioux — New
Madrid — St. Francois County — Perry
— ississippi — Loutre Island —
"Boone's Lick" — Cote Sans Dessein
— Howard County--Some First Things
— Counties — When Organized ... 26
CHAPTER V.
TERRITORIAL ORGANIZATION—
Organization 181 2— Council — House
of Representatives — Wm. Clark First
Territorial Governor — Edward Hemp-
stead First Delegate — Spanish Grants
— First General Assembly — Proceed-
ings— Second Assembly — Proceedings
— Population of Territory — Vote of
Territory — Rufus Easton — Absent
embers — Third Assembly— Proceed-
ings— Application for Admission . .
CHAPTER VI.
Page.
MISSOURI ADMITTED INTO THEUNION—
Application of Missouri to be Admit-
ted Into the Union — Agitation of the
Slavery Question-"Missouri Compro-
mise"— Constitutional Convention of
1820— Constitution Presented to Con-
gress— Further Resistance to Admis-
sion— Mr. Clay and his Committee
Make Report — Second Compromise— .
Missouri Admitted 35
CHAPTER VII.
MISSOURI AS A STATE—
First Election for Governor and Other
State Officers— Senators and Repre-
sentatives to General Assembly-Sher-
iffs and Coroners— United States Sena-
tors— Representatives in Congress-Su-
preme Court Judges— Counties Organ-
ized— Capital Moved to St. Charles —
Official Record of Territorial and
State Officers 40
CHAPTER VIII.
EARLY MILITARY RECORD—
Black Hawk War — Mormon Difficul-
ties— Florida War — Mexican War.. 46
CHAPTER IX.
CIVIL WAR IN MISSOURI—
Fort Sumpter Fired Upon — CaT for
75,000 Men — Gov. Jackson Refuses to
Furnish a Man — U.S. Arsenal at Lib-
erty Seized — Proclamation of Gov.
Jackson— General Order No. 7— Leg-
islature Convenes — Camp Jackson
Organized — Sterling Price Appointed
Major General — Frost's Letter to
Lyon — Lyon's Letter to Frost — Sur-
render of Camp Jackson — Proclama-
tion of Gen. Harney — Conference
Between Price and Harney — Harney
Superceded by Lyon— Second Confer-
ence— Governor Jackson Burns the
Bridges Behind Him— Proclamation
of Gov. Jackson — Gen. Blair Takes
Possession of Jefferson City — Procla-
mation of Lyon— Lyon at Springfield
VI
CONTENTS.
Page.
— State Offices Declared Vacant —
Gen. Fremont Assumes Command —
Proclamation of Lieut. Gov. Rey-
nolds— Proclamation of Jeff. Thomp-
son and Gov. Jackson — Death of Gen.
Lyon — Succeeded by Sturgis— Procla-
mation of McCullough and Gamble
— Martial Law Declared — Second
Proclamation of Jeff. Thompson —
President Modifies Fremont's Order —
Fremont Relieved by Hunter — Proc-
lamation of Price — Hunter's Order
of Assessment — Hunter Declares
Martial Law — Order Relating to
Newspapers — Halleck Succeeds Hun-
ter— Halleck's Order 81 — SimilarOr-
der by Halleck — Boone County
Standard Confiscated — Execution of
Prisoners at Macon and Palmyra —
Gen. Ewing's Order No. II — Gen.
Rosecrans Takes Command — Massa-
cre at Centralia — Death of Bill An-
derson— Gen. Dodge Succeeds Gen.
Rosecrans — List of Battles .... 51
CHAPTER X.
AGRICULTURE AND MATERIAL WEALTH—
Missouri as an Agricultural State —
The Different Crops — Live Stock —
Horses and Mules — Milch Cows —
Oxen and Other Cattle- Sheep—Hogs
— Comparisons — Missouri Adapted to
Live Stock — Cotton — Broom Corn
and Other Products — Fruits — Berries
Page.
* — Grapes — Railroads — First Neigh of
the "Iron Horse" in Missouri —
Names of Railroads — Manufactures —
Great Bridge ac Si. Louis 60
CHAPTER XI.
EDUCATION—
Public School System — Public School
System of Missouri — Lincoln Insti-
tute— Officers of Public School Sys-
tem— Certificates of Teachers — Uni-
versity of Missouri — Schools — Col-
leges— Institutions of Learning — Lo-
cation— Libraries — Newspapers and
Periodicals — Number of School
Children — Amount Expended — Value
of Grounds and Buildings — " The
Press " 66
CHAPTER XII.
RELIGIOUS DENOMINATIONS-
Baptist Church — Its History—Congre-
gational— When Founded — Its His-
tory— Christian Church — Its History
— Cumberland Presbyterian Church —
Its History — Methodist Episcopal
Church — Its History — Presbyterian
Church — Its History — Protestant
Episcopal Church — Its History —
United Presbyterian Church — Its
History— Unitarian Church — Its His-
tory— Roman Catholic Church — Its
History 73
HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
CHAPTER I.
PREFATORY—
History of Holt County . .
79
CHAPTER II.
PLATTE PURCHASE—
The Platte Country — Correspondence
in Reference Thereto — Meeting at
Liberty, Missouri — Its Object — Me-
morial— Efforts of Benton and Linn —
Treaty with the loways, Sacs and Fox
Indians 85
CHAPTER III.
GEOLOGY OF HOLT COUNTY -
Location — Boundary — Area — Topog-
raphy — Timber — Prairie — Soil —
Streams — Coal — Grindstones — Lime-
stone— Mineral Resources — Cement
Works — Gold Mines 93
CHAPTER IV.
HOLT COUNTY ORGANIZED—
Act Organizing Holt County — Terri
tory of Neatawah — Hon. D. R. Holt
— First County Court — Its Proceedings
— Orders — Ferries — Townships Or-
ganized— First Election — Report of
Commissioners on County Seat — Sub-
sequent Proceedings— Revenue — First
Circuit Court— Its Proceedings— First
Grand Jury— Indictments— First In-
struments Recorded— Early Marriages. 100
CHAPTER V.
FIRST SETTLEMENTS—
114
CHAPTER VI.
COUNTY AND TOWNSHIP SYSTEM- _
Government Surveys — Organization
of Townships • ■ 1 17
CHAPTER VII.
BENTON TOWNSHIP—
Boundaries— Physical Features— Ear-
ly Settlers— Mineral Resources — Jack-'
son's Point — First School — First
Preacher — Mound City — Public
School— Masonic Fraternity-Churches
— Mills- Newspapers — Professional—
R. R Facilities— Bank— Biographical. 125.
CHAPTER VIII.
BIGELOW TOWNSHIP—
Bigelow Township Boundaries — Phy-
sical Features — Early Settlers— First
Mercantile Enterprise — Churches —
Isaac Hays — Bigelow — Biographical. 190
CONTENTS.
Vll
CHAPTER IX.
Page.
CLAY TOWNSHIP-
Boundaries — Physical Features —
Eaily Settlers— Whig Valley— Mait-
land — Schools — Churches — Business
Directory-.— Biographical 204
CHAPTER X.
FORBES TOWNSHIP—
Boundaries — Physical Features —
Streams— Early Settlers— First Preach-
er — First Church Organized — First
School— Other Early Settlers— First
Physician — Buildings and People —
Dallas- -West Union— Forbes — Edu-
cational— Present Business — Shipping
Station— Biographical 235
CHAPTER XI.
HICKORY TOWNSHIP—
Hickory Township Boundaries —
Early Settlers — Nickols' Grove —
First School House — First Preacher —
First Physician, Etc —First Mill—
Dunkard Church — New Point —
Churches — Water — Short Horns —
Orchards — Biographical 261
CHAPTER XII.
LINCOLN TOWNSHIP—
Boundaries — Physical Features —
Early Settlers — Hemme's Landing —
Corning — Tarkio Valley Branch —
Mills and Elevators — Newspapers —
Business Directory— Biographical . . 285
CHAPTER XIII.
LEWIS TOWNSHIP—
Boundaries — Physical Features —
Early Settlements — The First Church
—First Distillery— First Post Office-
Pioneer Merchants— William Banks —
Banks' Spring — Manx Men— Daniel
Zook — The Float Bridge — Populus
Tremula — Road from Oregon to For-
est City — Mills 304
CHAPTER XIV.
OREGON AND FOREST CITY—
When Laid Out and Named Finley—
Changed to Oregon — First and Sec-
ond Sale of Lots — Special Act of
Congress — Early Settlers — Baildings
— County Court— First School — First
Preacher — Physicians — Postmaster —
Lightning — Mill — Churches — Secret
Societies — Woman's Union — Literary
Societies — Normal and Public Schools
— Newspaper Enterprises — Improve-
ments—Banks— Business — Mayors —
Concluding Remarks — Postmasters —
Forest City— Early Buildings— Schools
— Hotel — Early Business — Brewery —
Town Incorporated — Churches — Se-
cret Orders — Banks — Newspapers —
Mills and Manufactures — Present Bus
iness— Original Settlers — Indian Bur-
ial Ground — Shipping Interests — Bio-
graphical 320
Page.
CHAPTER XV.
LIBERTY TOWNSHIP—
Boundaries— Physical Features— Early
Settlers- -New Liberty Church — Bio-
graphical 419
CHAPTER XVI.
NODAWAY TOWNSHIP—
Nodaway Township — Physical Fea-
tures — Early Settlers — Churches —
Schools — Mills— Richville— Fruit-
Early Pugilists — Timber — Biographi-
cal 437
CHAPTER XVII.
UNION TOWNSHIP—
Boundaries — Physical Features — Ear-
ly Settlers-Defunct Towns— Churches
— Craig — Churches and Societies —
The Flood — When Town was Char-
tered— Business Directory — Biograph-
ical 45°
CHAPTER XVIII.
PUBLIC BUILDINGS AND IMPROVEMENTS-
First Court House — Second Court
House — Third and Present Court
House — Jails— Public Square- County
Poor Farm 478
CHAPTER XIX.
HOLT COUNTY BENCH AND BAR—
Hon. Henry S. Kelley — Daniel Zook,
Esq— E. Van Buskirk— Hon. T. C.
Dungan — Hon. Thomas H. Parrish —
Hon. James Limbird — Charles W.
Thomas, Esq.— L. R. Knowles, Esq.
— Leigh H. Irvine— Samuel F.O'Fal-
lon — Early Members of the Bar . . . 486
CHAPTER XX.
CRIMES—
Trial of John Lawrence— Simero Trag-
edy— Killing of John Taylor .... 493
CHAPTER XXI.
AGRICULTURAL INTERESTS—
Cereal Production — Stock — Fruit —
Nurseries — Vineyards — Sorghum —
Fairs — Holt County Agricultural and
Mechanical Society — Swamp Lands —
People 5°4
CHAPTER XXII.
RAILROADS, SCHOOLS AND CHURCHES-
Platte Country Railroad — Kansas City,
St. Joseph and Council Bluffs Railroad
— Nodaway Valley Branch — Tarkio
Valley Branch— Shipments for 1881 —
Railroad Meeting at Oregon — Public
Schools — Pioneer School House —
Number of Schools in the County —
Enumeration for 1881 — Average Num-
ber Attending — Number of Male and
Female Teachers — Annual Distribu-
tion— Principal of the Various School
Funds — Fines and Penalties — Wages
to Teachers — Expenses — School Com-
missioners— Churches — Early M inis-
ters — Bishop Marvin's Letter — First
Sunday School 518
Vlll
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER XXIII.
FINANCIAL AND POLITICAL—
■ •■•••••■••••
CHAPTER XXIV.
OFFICIAL DIRECTORY—
Page.
. 528
. 561
CHAPTER XXV.
GOLD SEEKERS OF 1849—
CHAPTER XXVI.
REMINISCENCES OF AN OLD PIONEER-
Page.
• S64
573
HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
CHAPTER I.
ACT ORGANIZING THE COU-NTY OF ATCHI-
SON-
Biographical Sketch of General D.
R. Atchison 585
CHAPTER II.
PHYSICAL FEATURES—
Location — Boundary — Surface —
Streams — Timber — Climate and
Health— Rainfall— Prairie 588
CHAPTER III.
GEOLOGY OF ATCHISON COUNTY—
595
CHAPTER IV.
FIRST COURTS ORGANIZED—
County Court Organized — Its Pro-
ceedings—The Circuit Court — Attor-
neys— Grand Jurors — First Cases —
Entries — Bills of Indictment — Con-
veyances— Early Marriages 602
CHAPTER V.
FIRST SETTLEMENTS—
Importance of First Beginnings —
When and Where Commenced.. . . 610
CHAPTER VI.
PIONEER LIFE—
Pioneers' Peculiarities — Conveniences
and Inconveniences — The Historical
Log Cabin — Agricultural Implements
— Household Furniture — Pioneer
Corn-Bread — Hand Mills and Homi-
ny Blocks — Going to Mill — Trading
Points — Bee-Trees — Shooting
Matches and Quihings 617
CHAPTER VII.
ORIGINAL TOWNSHIPS—
628
VIII.
CHAPTER
BENTON TOWNSHIP—
Topography — Bridges — Early Settle-
ment — Ferries — Churches — Mills —
Biographical 630
CHAPTER IX.
CLAY TOWNSHIP—
Boundaries — Physical Aspect —
Bridges — Millsaps, the Pioneer — Ear-
ly Settlers — Mills — First Store — First
Blacksmith — German Colony — Pio-
neer School — Rock
Blacksmith of Rock
Hotel — First Livery
Brewery — The Bank
County — Municipal — Extension of
Corporate Limits — Second Incorpora-
Port — Pioneer
Port — Pioneer
Stable — City
of Atchison
tion — Incorporation as a City of the
Fourth Class— County Officials— Ear-
ly Churches — Methodist Episcopal
Church South — Present Religious Or-
ganizations— Christian Church — M is-
sionary Baptist Church — German Lu-
theran Church — Methodist Episcopal ■
Church — Old School Presbyterian
Church — Public Schools of Rock Port
—Rock Port College — North Star
Lodge, A. F. and A. M — Zerubbabel
R. A. C. — Adoniram Council, R. and
S. M— I. O. O. F.— A. O. U. W.—
Business of 1882 — Union City Cum-
berland Presbyterian Church — Pleas-
ant Grove Christian Church — Bio-
graphical 641
CHAPTER X.
CLARK TOWNSHIP—
Boundaries — Topography — Bridges —
Early Settlers — Schools — Churches —
Irish Grove — Secret Orders — Milton —
Fairfax — Churches — Secret Orders' —
Schools — Incorporation — Business Di-
rectory— Town Officers — Population
of Fairfax — Nishnebotna — Business
Directory — Early Settlers — Coal — Bi-
ographical 721
CHAPTER XL
DALE TOWNSHIP—
Boundaries and Organization — Topo-
graphy — Timber — Bridges — Early
Settlers — Dothan — Elk Dale — Schools
— Churches — Biographical. . . . 755
CHAPTER XII.
LINCOLN TOWNSHIP—
Boundaries — Topography — Timber —
Bridges — Early Settlers — Churches
— Westboro — Business Directory —
Secret Orders — Churches — Schools —
Population — Pioneers of the Town —
Biographical 789
CHAPTER XIII.
NISHNEBOTNA TOWNSHIP—
Topography — Bridge — The Flood —
Early Settlement — Sonora Laid Out —
Sonora Incorporated — Pioneer Mill —
Dr.Wyatt — Business Enterprise — Pork
Packing — Churches — Societies — Saw
Mill — Yorktown — Watson — Postmas-
ters— Churches — School House — In-
corporation of Watson — Odd Fel-
lows— Masonic — Business of 1882 —
Shipping Interests — Biograpical . . 817
CONTENTS.
IX
CHAPTER XIV.
Page.
POLK TOWNSHIP—
Topography -Water Courses-Bridges-
Early Settlers — Linden — First House
— First Physician — First Blacksmith —
Postmasters — Religious Organizations
— Original Court House — Hotel — Odd
Fellows — Linden of To Day — Neigh
borhood of Linden — Mills — Country
Churches — High Creek Baptist
Church — Grange Hall — Biographical. 848
CHAPTER XV.
BUCHANAAN TOWNSHIP—
Boundary — West Buchanan Township
— Topographical Features — Bridges
— The Pioneer and His Indian Prog-
eny— Subsequent Early Settlers — El
Paso — Sacramento City — Mills — First
School — Churches and Religious Or-
ganizations— The Great Overflow —
Biographical S69
CHAPTER XVI.
TARKIO TOWNSHIP—
Boundaries — Topography — Divided
Into Precincts — Streams and Water
Courses — Bridges — Early Settlers —
Center Point— Tarkio — Incorporated
— Business Directory — Town Officers
— Shipments of Grain and Stock —
Churches — Secret Orders — Bands —
Halls — Hotels — Banks — Population
and People — Christian City — Post
Offices — Biographical 889
CHAPTER XVII.
TEMPLETON TOWNSHIP—
Organization and Boundary — Physical
Aspect — Bridges — Early Settlers —
Mills — Churches — Phelps City-
Churches — Schools — Banks — Depots
— Secret Orders — Newspapers — Busi-
ness Directory — Incorporation of
Phelps City — Scott City — Kalamazoo
— Langdon Post Office — Biographi-
cal 942
CHAPTER XVIII.
PUBLIC BUILDINGS—
First Court House — Removal of the
County Seat from Linden to Rock
Port — Second Court House — Plans
for a New Court House — Court Orders
a Fire Proof Building — Petition Ask-
ing to Build Court House — Election
Ordered — Address of the Court —
Proposition Defeated — Another Peti-
tion Presented — Second Election Or-
dered— Address of the Court — Result
of Election — Conclusions — County
Poor Farm 966
Page.
CHAPTER XIX.
AGRICULTURE AND STOCK—
Atchison as an Agricultural County —
Corn — Wheat — Barley — Live Stock —
Hogs — Cattle — Sheep — The People —
Fruit Interest — Letter of R. Lynn —
Atchison County Agricultural and Me-
chanical Association — Officers and Di-
rectors— Fairs — Sale of Lots — Patrons
of Husbandry 989
CHAPTER XX.
NEWSPAPERS, RAILROADS, PUBLIC
SCHOOLS, EARLY CHURCHES AND MIN-
ISTERS—
Rock Port Weekly Banner — Rock
Port Herald--Missouri Express---Rock
Port Weekly Sentinel — Rock Port
News — Grangers' Advocate — Atchi-
son Democrat — The Sun — The Dem-
ocratic Mail — Atchison County Jour-
nal— Real Estate Register — Phelps
City Record — Tarkio Blade — Tarkio
Republican — Fairfax Independent —
Watson Times — Railroads — Quincy
and Nebraska Railroad — Quincy, Mis-
souri and Pacific — Kansas City, St.
Joseph and Council Bluffs — Tarkio
Valley — Wabash, St. Louis and Pa-
cific— Taxes — Miles of Track — Grain
and Stock — Public Schools — Enumer-
ation— County, State and Township
Funds — Superintende n t s — Early
Churches and Ministers 998
CHAPTER XXI.
BENCH AND BAR—
IOO9
CHAPTER XXII.
CRIMES, INCIDENTS, ACCIDENTS—
Freeman Halsey — Daniel Lafollett —
Murder of Captain S. A. Hunter —
Robertson Hung by a Mob — Bill
Lewis — A Mysterious Affair — Desper-
ate Affray — High Winds and Storms
— Earthquake 1016
CHAPTER XXIII.
FINANCIAL HISTORY—
1023
CHAPTER XXIV. *
OFFICIAL DIRECTORY—
1026
CHAPTER XXV.
BRIDGES, POST OFFICES, OLD SETTLERS,
CALIFORNIA EMIGRANTS—
IO30
LITHOGRAPHIC PORTRAITS-
John S. Dopf 689
David Rankin 923
History of Missouri.
CHAPTER I.
LOUISIANA PURCHASE.
BRIEF HISTORICAL SKETCH.
The purchase of the vast territory west of the Mississippi River, by
the United States, extending through Oregon to the Pacific coast and
south to the dominions of Mexico, constitutes the most important event
that ever occurred in the history of the nation.
It gave to our republic additional room for that expansion and stu-
pendous growth, to which it has since attained, in all that makes it
strong and enduring, and forms the seat of an empire, from which will
radiate an influence for good unequaled in the annals of time. In 1763,
one hundred and eighteen years ago, the immense region of country,
known at that time as Louisiana, was ceded to Spain by France. By a
secret article, in the treaty of St. Ildefonso, concluded in 1800, Spain
ceded it back to France. Napoleon, at that time, coveted the island of
St. Domingo, not only because of the value of its products, but more
especially because its location in the Gulf of Mexico would, in a military
point of view, afford him a fine field, whence he could the more effec-
tively guard his newly acquired possessions. Hence he desired this
cession by Spain should be kept a profound secret until he succeeded in
reducing St. Domingo to submission. In this undertaking, however,
his hopes were blasted, and so great was his disappointment that he
apparently became indifferent to the advantages to be derived to France
from his purchase of Louisiana.
In 1803 he sent out Laussat as prefect of the colony, who gave the
people of Louisiana the first intimation that they had had, that they had
once more become the subjects of France. This was the occasion of
great rejoicing among the inhabitants, who were Frenchmen in their
origin, habits, manners and customs.
i
10 HISTORY OF MISSOURI.
Mr. Jefferson, then President of the United States, on being in-
formed of the retrocession, immediately dispatched instructions to
•Robert Livingston, the American Minister at Paris, to make known to
Napoleon that the occupancy of New Orleans, by his government,
would not only endanger the friendly relations existing between the two
nations, but, perhaps, oblige the United States to make common cause
with England, his bitterest and most dreaded enemy, as the possession
of the city by France would give her command of* the Mississippi, which
was the only outlet for the produce of the Western States, and give her
also control of the Gulf of Mexico, so necessary to the protection of
American commerce. Mr. Jefferson was so fully impressed with the
idea that the occupancy of New Orleans, by France, would bring about
a conflict of interests between the two nations, which would finally cul-
minate in an open rupture, that he urged Mr. Livingston, to not only
insist upon the free navigation of the Mississippi, but to negotiate for
the purchase of the city and the surrounding country.
The question of this negotiation was of so grave a character to the
United States that the President appointed Mr. Monroe, with full power,
to act in conjunction with Mr. Livingston. Ever equal to all emergen-
cies, and prompt in the cabinet, as well as in the field, Napoleon came to
the conclusion that, as he could not well defend his occupancy of New
Orleans, he would dispose of it, on the best terms possible. Before,
however, taking final action in the matter, he summoned two of his min-
isters, and addressed them as follows :
" I am fully sensible of the value of Louisiana, and it was my wish
to repair the error of the French diplomatists who abandoned it in 1763.
I have scarcely recovered it before I run the risk of losing it ; but if I
am obliged to give it up, it shall hereafter cost more to those who force
me to part with it, than to those to whom I shall yield it. The English
have despoiled France of all her northern possessions in America, and
now they covet those of the South. I am determined that they shall not
have the Mississippi. Although Louisiana is but a trifle compared to
their vast possessions in other parts of the globe, yet, judging from the
vexation they have manifested on seeing it return to the power of
France, I am certain that their first object will be to gain possession of
it. They will probably commence the war in that quarter. They have
twenty vessels in the Gulf of Mexico, and our affairs in St. Domingo are
daily getting worse since the death of LeClerc. The conquest of Lou-
isiana might be easily made, and I have not a moment to lose in getting
it out of their reach. I am not sure but that they have already begun an
attack upon it. Such a measure would be in accordance with their
habits ; and in their place I should not wait. I am inclined, in order to
deprive them of all prospect of ever possessing it, to cede it to the
United States, indeed, I can hardly say that I cede it, for I do not yet
HISTORY OF MISSOURI. II
possess it ; and if I wait but a short time my enemies may leave me
nothing but an empty title to grant to the republic I wish to conciliate.
I consider the whole colony as lost, and I believe that in the hands of
this rising power it will be more useful to the political and even com-
mercial interests of France than if I should attempt to retain it. Let
me have both your opinions on the subject."
One of his ministers approved of the contemplated cession, but the
other opposed it. The matter was long and earnestly discussed by them,
before the conference was ended. The next day Napoleon sent for the
minister who had agreed with him, and said to him : " The season for
deliberation is over. I have determined to renounce Louisiana. I shall
give up not only New Orleans, but the whole colony, without reserva-
tion. That I do not undervalue Louisiana, I have sufficiently proved, as
the object of my first treaty with Spain was to recover it. But though I
regret parting with it, I am convinced it would be folly to persist in try-
ing to keep it. I commission you, therefore, to negotiate this affair with
the envoys of the United States. Do not wait the arrival of Mr. Monroe,
but go this very day and confer with Mr. Livingston. Remember,
however, that I need ample funds for carrying on the war, and I do
not wish to commence it by levying new taxes. For the last century
France and Spain have incurred great expense in the improvement
of Louisiana, for which her trade has never indemnified them. Large
sums have been advanced to different companies, which have never been
returned to the treasury. It is fair that I should require repayment for
these. Were I to regulate my demands by the importance of this terri-
tory to the United States, they would be unbounded ; but, being obliged
to part with it, I shall be moderate in my terms. Still, remember, I
must have fifty millions of francs, and I will not consent to take
less. I would rather make some desperate effort to preserve this fine
country."
That day the negotiations commenced. Mr. Monroe reached Paris
on the 1 2th of April, and the two representatives of the United States,
after holding a private interview, announced that they were ready to
treat for the entire territory. On the 30th of April, 1803, eighteen days
afterward, the treaty was signed, and on the 21st of October, of the same
year, Congress ratified the treaty. The United States were to pay
$11,250,000, and her citizens to be compensated for some illegal captures
to the amount of $3,750,000, making in the aggregate the sum of
$15,000,000, while it was agreed that the vessels and merchandise of
France and Spain should be admitted into all the ports of Louisiana free
of duty f jr twelve years. Bonaparte stipulated in favor of Louisiana,
that it should be, as soon as possible, incorporated into the Union, and
that its inhabitants should enjoy the same rights, privileges and immuni-
ties as other citizens of the United States, and the clause giving to them
12 HISTORY OF MISSOURI.
these benefits, was drawn up by Bonaparte, who presented it to the
plenipotentiaries with these words : " Make it known to the people of
Louisiana, that we regret to part with them ; that we have stipulated for
all the advantages they could desire ; and that France, in giving them
up, has insured to them the greatest of all. They could never have pros-
pered under any European government as they will when they become
independent. But while they enjoy the privileges of liberty let them
remember that they are French, and preserve for their mother country
that affection which a common origin inspires."
Complete satisfaction was given to both parties in the terms
of the treaty. Mr. Livingston said : " I consider that from this
day the United States takes rank with the first powers of Europe, and
now she has entirely escaped from the power of England," and Bonaparte
expressed a similar sentiment when he said : " By this cession of terri-
tory I have secured the power of the United States, and given to
England a maritime rival, who, at some future time, will humble her
pride." These were prophetic words, for within a few years afterward
the British met with a signal defeat, on the plains of the very territory
of which the great Corsican had been speaking.
From 1800, the date of the cession made by Spain, to 1803, when it
was purchased by the United States, no change had been made by the
French authorities in the jurisprudence of the Upper and Lower Louis-
iana, and during this period the Spanish laws remained in full force as
the laws of the entire province ; a fact which is of interest to those who
would understand the legal history and some of the present laws of
Missouri
On December 20th, 1803, Gens. Wilkinson and Claiborne, who were
jointly commissioned to take possession of the territory for the United
States, arrived in the city of New Orleans at the head of the American
forces. Laussat, who had taken possession but twenty days previously
as the prefect of the colony, gave up his command, and the star-spangled
banner supplanted the tri-colored flag of France. The agent of France,
to take possession of Upper Louisiana from the Spanish authorities, was
Amos Stoddard, captain of artillery in the United States service. He
was placed in possession of St. Louis on the 9th of March, 1804, by
Charles Dehault Delassus, the Spanish commandant, and on the follow-
ing day he transferred it to the United States. The authority of the
United States in Missouri dates from this day.
Fi*om that moment the interests of the people of the Mississippi
Valley became identified. They were troubled no more with the uncer-
tainties of free navigation. The great river, along whose banks they
had planted their towns and villages, now afforded them a safe and easy
outlet to the markets of the world. Under the protecting aegis of a
government, republican in form, and having free access to an almost
H1STJRV OF MISSOURI. 13
boundless domain, embracing in its broad area the diversified climates of
the globe, and possessing a soil unsurpassed for fertility, beauty of
scenery and wealth of minerals, they had every incentive to push on
their enterprises and build up the land wherein their lot had been cast.
In the purchase of Louisiana, it was known that a great empire had
been secured as a heritage to the people of our country, for all time to
come, but of its grandeur, its possibilities, its inexhaustible resources
and the important relations it would sustain to the nation and the world,
were never dreamed of by even Mr. Jefferson and his adroit and accom-
plished diplomatists.
The most ardent imagination never conceived of the progress,
which would mark the history of the " Great West." The adventurous
pioneer, who fifty years ago pitched his tent upon its broad prairies, or
t'-'-eaded the dark labyrinths of its lonely forests, little thought that a
mi ;hty tide of physical and intellectual strength would so rapidly flow
l.i in his footsteps, to populate, build up and enrich the domain which
he had conquered.
Year after year, civilization has advanced further and further, until
at length the mountains, the plains, the hills and the valleys, and even
the rocks and the caverns, resound with the noise and din of busy
millions.
" I beheld the westward marches
Of the unknown crowded nations.
All the land was full of people,
Restless, struggling, toiling, striving,
Speaking many tongues, yet feeling
But one heart- beat in their bosoms.
In the woodland rang their axes, .
Smoked their towns in all the valleys;
Over all the lakes and rivers
Rushed their great canoes of thunder."
In 1804 Congress, by an act, passed in April of the same year,
divided Louisiana into two parts, the " Territory of Orleans," and the
"District of Louisiana," known as "Upper Louisiana." This district
included all that portion of the old province, north of "Hope Encamp-
ment," on the Lower Mississippi, and embraced the present State of
Missouri, and all the western region of country to the Pacific Ocean, and
all below the forty-ninth degree of north latitude not claimed by Spain.
As a matter of convenience, on March 26th, 1804, Missouri was
placed within the jurisdiction of the government of the Territory of
Indiana, and its government put in motion by Gen. William H. Harrison,
then governor of Indiana. In this he was assisted by Judges Griffin,
Vanderberg and Davis, who established in St. Louis what were called
Courts of Common Pleas. The District of Louisiana was regularly
organized into the Territory of Louisiana by Congress, March 3d, 1805,
14 HISTORY OF MISSOURI.
and President Jefferson appointed Gen. James Wilkinson governor, and
Frederick Bates secretary. The Legislature of the Territory was formed
by Governor Wilkinson and Judges R. J. Meigs and John B. C. Lucas.
In 1807 Governor Wilkinson was succeeded by Captain Meriwether
Lewis, who had become famous by reason of his having made the expe-
dition with Clark. Governor Lewis committed suicide in 1809, and
President Madison appointed Gen. Benjamin Howard, of Lexington,
Kentucky, to fill his place. Gen. Howard resigned October 25, 1810, to
enter the war of 1812, and died in St. Louis, in 1814. Captain William
Clark, of Lewis and Clark's expedition, was appointed governor in 18 10,
to succeed Gen. Howard, and remained in office until the admission of
the State into the Union.
The portions of Missouri which were settled, for the purpose of local
government, were divided into four districts. Cape Girardeau was the
first, and embraced the territory between Tywappity Bottom and Apple
Creek. Ste. Genevieve, the second, embraced the territory from Apple
Creek to the Meramec River. St. Louis, the third, embraced the terri-
tory between the Meramec and Missouri Rivers. St. Charles, the fourth,
included the settled territory between the Missouri and Mississippi
Rivers. The total population of these districts at that time was 8,670,
including slaves. The population of the district of Louisiana, when
ceded to the United States, was 10,120.
CHAPTER II.
DESCRIPTIVE AND GEOGRAPHICAL.
NAME-EXTENT— SURFACE— RIVERS— TIMBER— CLIMATE— PRAIRIES— SOILS— POPULATION
B"Y COUNTIES.
NAME.
The name Missouri, is derived from the Indian tongue and signifies
muddy.
EXTENT.
Missouri is bounded on the north by Iowa (from which it is separated
for about thirty miles on the northeast by the DesMoines River), and on
the east by the Mississippi River, which divides it from Illinois, Ken-
tucky and Tennessee, and on the west by the Indian Territory, and by
the states of Kansas and Nebraska. The state lies (with the exception
of a small projection between the St. Francis and the Mississippi Rivers,
which extends to 360), between 360 30' and 400 36' north latitude, and
between 120 2' and 180 51' west longitude from Washington.
HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 15
The extreme width of the state east and west is about 348 miles ;
Its width on its northern boundary, measured from its northwest corner
along the Iowa line to its intersection with the DesMoines River, is about
210 miles ; its width on its southern boundary is about 288 miles. Its
average width is about 235 miles.
The length of the state north and south, not including the narrow
strip between the St. Francis and Mississippi Rivers, is about 282 miles.
It is about 450 miles from its extreme northwest corner to its southeast
corner, and from the northeast corner to the southwest corner it is about
230 miles. These limits embrace an area of 65,350 square miles, or
41,824,000 acres, being nearly as large as England, and the states of
Vermont and New Hampshire.
SURFACE.
t
North of the Missouri the state is level or undulating, while the por-
tion south of that river (the larger portion of the state) exhibits a greater
variety of surface. In the southeastern part is an extensive marsh,
reaching beyond the state into Arkansas. The remainder of this portion,
between the Mississippi and Osage Rivers, is rolling and gradually rising
into a hilly and mountainous district, forming the outskirts of the Ozark
Mountains.
Beyond the Osage River, at some distance, commences a vast
expanse of prairie land, which stretches away towards the Rocky Mount-
ains. The ridges forming the Ozark chain extend in a northeast and
southwest direction, separating the waters that flow northeast into the
Missouri from those that flow southeast into the Mississippi River.
RIVERS.
No state in the Union enjoys better facilities for navigation than
Missouri. By means of the Mississippi River, which stretches along her
entire eastern boundary, she can hold commercial intercourse with the
most northern territory and state in the Union ; with the whole valley of
the Ohio ; with many of the Atlantic States, and with the Gulf of Mexico.
"Ay, gather Europe's royal rivers all —
The snow-swelled Neva, with an Empire's weight
On her broad breast, she yet may overwhelm;
Dark Danube, hurrying, as by foe pursued,
Through shaggy forests and by palace walls,
To hide its terrors in a sea of gloom ;
The castled Rhine, whose vine-crowned waters
The fount of fable and the source of song ;
The rushing Rhone, in whose cerulean depths
The loving sky seems wedded with the wave}
The yellow Tiber, chok'd with Roman spoilt,
* A dying miser shrinking 'neath his gold ;
The Seine, where fashion glasses the fairest foi
And Thames that bears the riches of the world ;
ifl HISTORY OF MISSOURI.
Gather their waters in one ocean mass,
Our Mississippi rolling proudly on,
Would sweep them from its path, or swallow up,
Like Aaron's rod, these streams of fame and song."
By the Missouri River she can extend her commerce to the Rocky
Mountains, and receive in return the products which will come in the
course of time, by its multitude of tributaries.
The Missouri River coasts the northwest line of the state for about
250 miles, following its windings, and then flows through the state, a lit-
tle south of east, to its junction with the Mississippi. The Missouri
River receives a number of tributaries within the limits of the state, the
principal of which are the Nodaway, Platte, Loutre and Chariton from
the north, and the Blue, Sniabar, Grand, Osage and Gasconade from the
south. The principal tributaries of the Mississippi within the state are
the Salt River, north, and the Meramec River, south, of the Missouri.
The St. Francis and White Rivers, with their branches, drain the
southeastern part of the state and pass into Arkansas. The Osage is
navigable for steamboats for more than 275 miles. There are a vast
number of smaller streams, such as creeks, branches and rivers, which
water the state in all directions.
TIMBER.
Not more towering in their sublimity were the cedars of ancient
Lebanon, nor more precious in their utility were the almug trees of
Ophir, than the native forests of Missouri. The river bottoms are cov-
ered with a luxuriant growth of oak, ash, elm, hickory, Cottonwood, linn,
white and black walnut, and in fact all the varieties found in the Atlantic
and Eastern States. In the more barren districts may be seen the white
and pin oak, and in many places a dense growth of pine. The crab
apple, pawpaw and persimmon are abundant, as also the hazel and pecan.
CLIMATE.
* The climate of Missouri is, in general, pleasant and salubrious.
Like that of North America, it is changeable and subject to sudden and
sometimes extreme changes of heat and cold ; but it is decidedly milder,
taking the whole year through, than that of the same latitudes east of
the mountains. While the summers are not more oppressive than they
are in the corresponding latitudes on and near the Atlantic Coast, the
winters are shorter, and very much milder, except during the month of
February, and it has many days of pleasant sunshine.
PRAIRIES.
Missouri is a prairie state, especially that portion of it north and
northwest of the Missouri River. These prairies, along the water
courses, abound with the thickest and most luxurious belts of timber,
HISTORY OF MISSOURI. I?
while the "rolling* prairies occupy the higher portions of the country,
the descent generally to the forest or bottom lands being over stony
declivities. Many of these prairies, however, exhibit a graceful, waving
surface, swelling and sinking with an easy slope and a full, rounded out-
line, equally avoiding the unmeaning, horizontal surface and the inter-
ruption of abrupt or angular elevations.
These prairies often embrace extensive tracts of land, and in one or
two instances they cover an area of fifty thousand acres. During the
spring and summer they are carpeted with a velvet of green and gaily
bedecked with flowers of various forms and hues, making a most fasci-
nating panorama of ever changing color and loveliness. To fully appre-
ciate their great beauty and magnitude they must be seen.
SOIL.
The soil of Missouri is good, and of greac agricultural capabilities,
but the most fertile portions of the state are the river bottoms, which
are a rich alluvium, mixed in many cases with sand, the producing qual-
ities of which are not excelled by the prolific valley of the famous Nile.
South of the Missouri River there is a greater variety of soil, but
much of it is fertile, and even in the mountains and mineral districts
there are rich valleys, and about the sources of the White, Eleven
Points, Current and Big Black Rivers the soil, though unproductive, fur-
nishes a valuable growth of yellow pine.
The marshy lands in the southeastern part of the state will, by a
system of drainage, be one of the most fertile districts in the state.
POPULATION BY COUNTIES IN 1870, 1 876, 1880.
Adair ~i~7 • •
Andrew . . . .
Atchison . . .
Audrain . . .
•Barry ....
Barton ...
Bates
Benton , . .
Bollinger . .
Boone ....
Buchanan . .
Butler ....
Caldwell . . .
Callaway . . .
Camden . . .
Cape Girardeau
Carroll ...
Carter ....
Casa ....
1870.
1876.
1880.
11,449
13 774
15,190
15.137
14,992
16,318
8,440
10,925
14,565
12,307
15,157
19,739
«o,373
11,146
14,424
5,o87
6,900
10,332
15,960
17,484
25,382
11,322
11,027
12,398
8,162
8,884
11,132
20,765
3*»923
25424
35-109
38,165
49,824
4,298
4,3»3
6,0 1 1
H,390
12,200
13,654
19,202
25,257
* 23,670
6,108
7,027
7,269
17.558
17,891
20,998
17 445
21,518
23300
1.455
1.549
2,168
19,296
18,069
22,431
18 HISTORY OF MISSOURI.
Cedar .. . ".""YTT' 9.474 9.9" 10,747
Chariton '9.'36 23.294 25.224
Christian 6,707 7,936 9,632
Clark . . . I3.667 '4-549 '5,63«
Clinton I4063 13,698 16,073
Cole • 10,292 14,122 15,519
Cooper 20,692 21,356 21,622
Crawford 7.9§2 9-391 10,763
Dade 8,683 11,089 12,557
Dallas • 8,383 8,073 9,272
Daviess 14,4'Q 16,557 19. '74
DeKalb 9.858 11,159 '3.343
Dent • 6,357 7,401 10.647
Douglas 3,915 6,461 7,753
Dunkin 5,982 6,255 9,604
Franklin 30,098 26,924 26,536
Gasconade 10,093 11,160 ",153
Gentry 11,607 12,673 I7,'88
Greene 21.549 ■ 24,693 28,817
Grundy 10,567 13,071 15,201
Harrison 14,635 18,530 20,318
Henry 17, 401 18,465 23,914
Hickory 6,452 5,870 7,388
Holt 11,652 13,245 15,510
Howard 17,233 17,815 18,428
Howell 4,218 6,756 8,814
Iron 6,278 6,623 8,183
Jackson . . , 55»°4I 54,045 82,328
Jasper 14,928 29,384 32,021
Jefferson 15,380 16,186 18,736
Johnson 24,648 23,646 28,177
Knox 10,974 12,678 13,047
Laclede 9,380 9,845 11,524
Lafayette. ••••• 22,624 22,204 25,761
Lawrence 13,067 I3,°54 '7,585
Lewis I5,"4 16,360 15,925
Lincoln 15,960 16,858 '7,443
Linn '5,9°6 18,110 20,016
Livingston c( 16,730 18 074 20,205
McDonald ••••• 5,226 6,072 7, 816
Macon ••••• 23,230 25,028 26,223
Madison , 5,849 8,750 8,866
Maries 5,916 6.481 7,304
Marion 23,780 22,794 24,837
Mercer u,557 '3,393 '4.674
Miller 6,616 8,529 9,807
Mississippi 4,982 7,498 9,270
Moniteau « 13,375 '3,o84 14 349
Monroe I7,i49 '7,75' '9,075
Montgomery 10,405 14,418 16,250
M°rgan • 8,434 9,529 10,134
New Madrid ....•• 6,357 6,673 7,694
Newton M.82I 16,875 18,948
HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 19
Nodaway. • • • '• TTV 14,751 23,196 29,560
Oregon . . . . ,.# 3287 4,469 5J91
Osage ••••••••••••• • 10,793 11,200 11,824
Ozark 3,363 4,579 5,618
Pemiscot 2,059 2,573 4,299
Perry 9,877 11,189 "895
Petti •• 18,706 23,167 27.285
Phelps ...••• 10,506 9.9T9 12,565
Pike • 23,076 22,828 26,716
Platte 17,352 15.948 17,372
Polk • 14,445 I3>467 15.745
Pulaski 4,714 6,157 7,25°
Putnam •••••••• H>217 12,641 13,556
Ralls 10,510 9,997 11,838
Randolph ••••• 15 908 19,173 22 751
Ray ■ 18,700 18,394 20,196
Reynolds 3,756 4,716 5,722
Ripley 3,175 3,913 5,377
St. Charles ••••••• 21,304 21,821 23,060
St. Clair • . . • 6,742 11,242 14,126
St. Francois •••••••• 9.742 11,621 13,822
Ste. Genevieve ......••••..•••... 8,384 9.409 10,309
St. Louis* 351,189 . . . 31,888
Saline 21,672 27,087 29,912
Schuyler •••••••• 8,820 9,88i 10 470
Scotland ....... 10,670 12,030 12,507
Scott 7,317 7,312 8,58/
Shannon 2,339 3,236 3,441
Shelby • 10,119 13,243 14,024
Stoddard 8,535 Io,86S 13,432
Stone 3,253 3,544 4,405
Sullivan H,9°7 14,039 16,569
Taney 4,407 6,124 5605
Texas • • 9,618 10,287 12,207
Vernon ••••• U,247 14.413 1937°
Warren ....••••••• 9,673 10,321 10,806
Washington ••••• •••• 11,719 13,100 12,895
Wayne •••••••••***••• 6,068 7,006 9,097
Webster • •••••••••••• I°,434 10,684 12,175
Worth ••••• 5,004 7,164 8,208
Wright 5,684 6,124 9,733
City of St. Louis ..••••••••••••••• ... •**> 35°»522
IJ2M95 «,547,030 2,168,804
Males ...*••••••••••••••••• 1,127,424
Females . . • • ••••• ••• . 1,041,380
Native •••••• «,957,564
Foreign •••••• 211,240
White 2,023 568
Coloredf. 145,236
•St. Louis city and county separated in 1877. Population for 1876 not gives.
f Including 92 Chinese, 3 half Chinese, and 96 Indians and hnlf-i
20 HISTORY OF MISSOURI.
CHAPTER III.
GEOLOGY OF MISSOURI.
CLASSIFICATION OF ROCKS— QUATERNARY FORMATION-TERTIARY-CRETACEOUS— CAR-
BONIFEROUS—DEVONIAN —SILURIAN— AZOIC— ECONOMIC GEOLOGY-COAL— IRON-
LEAD — COPPER — ZINC— BUILDING STONE — MARBLE — GYPSUM — LIME — PAINTS —
SPRINGS— WATER POWER.
The stratified rocks of Missouri, as classified and treated of by Prof.
G. C. Swallow, belong to the following divisions: I. Quaternary ; II. Ter-
tiary ; III. Cretaceous ; IV. Carboniferous ; V. Devonian ; VI. Silurian ;
VII. Azoic.
The Quaternary formations are the most recent and the most val-
uable to man ; valuable, because they can be more readily utilized.
The Quaternary formation in Missouri, embraces the Alluvium, 30
feet thick; Bottom Prairie, 30 feet thick; Bluff, 200 feet thick; and Drift,
155 feet thick. The latest deposits are those which constitute the Allu-
vium, and includes the soils, pebbles and sand, clays, vegetable mold,
bog, iron ore, marls, etc.
The Alluvium deposits cover an area, within the limits of Missouri,
of more than four million acres of land, which are not surpassed for fer-
tility by any region of country on the globe.
The Bluff Prairie formation is confined to the lowlands, which are
washed by the two great rivers which course our eastern and western
boundaries, and while it is only about half as extensive as the Alluvial,
it is equally as rich and productive."
" The Bluff formation," says Professor Swallow, " rests upon the
ridges and river bluffs, and descends along their slopes to the lowest
valleys, the formation capping all the bluffs of the Missouri from Fort
Union to its mouth, and those of the Mississippi from Dubuque to the
mouth of the Ohio. It forms the upper stratum beneath the soil of all
the high lands, both timber and prairies, of all the counties north of the
Osage and Missouri, and also St. Louis, and the Mississippi counties on
the south..
Its greatest development is in the counties on the Missouri River,
from the Iowa line to Boonville. In some localities it is 200 feet thick.
At St. Joseph it is 140 ; at Boonville 100 ; and at St. Louis, in St.
George's quarry, and the Big Mound, it is about 50 feet ; while its greatest
observed thickness in Marion County was only 30 feet."
The Drift formation is that which lies beneath the Bluff formation,
having, as Prof. Swallow informs us, three distinct deposits, to wit :
"Altered Drift, which are strata of sand and pebbles, seen in the banks
of the Missouri, in the northwestern portion of the state.
HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 21
The Boulder formation is a heterogenous stratum of sand, gravel
and boulder, and water- worn fragments of the older rocks.
Boulder Clay is a bed of bluish or brown sandy clay, through which
pebbles are scattered in greater or less abundance. It some localities in
northern Missouri, this formation assumes a pure white, pipe-clay color."
The Tertiary formation is made up of clays, shales, iron ores, sand-
stone, and sands, scattered along the bluffs, and edges of the bottoms,
reaching from Commerce, Scott County, to Stoddard, and south to the
Chalk Bluffs in Arkansas.
The Cretaceous formation lies beneath the Tertiary, and is composed
of variegated sandstone, bluish-brown sandy slate, whitish-brown im-
pure sandstone, fine white clay mingled with spotted flint, purple, red
and blue clays, all being in the aggregate, 158 feet in thickness. There
are no fossils in these rocks, and nothing by which their age may be
told.
The Carboniferous system includes the Upper Carboniferous or coal-
measures, and the Lower Carboniferous or Mountain Limestone. The
coal-measures are made up of numerous strata of sandstones, limestones,
shales, clays, marls, spathic iron ores and coals.
The Carboniferous formation, including coal-measures and the beds
of iron, embrace an area in Missouri of 27,000 square miles. The varie-
ties of coal found in the state are the common bituminous and cannel
coals, and they exist in quantities inexhaustible. The fact that these
coal measures are full of fossils, which are always confined to the coal
measures, enables the geologist to point them out, and the coal beds con-
tained in them.
The rocks of the Lower Carboniferous formation are varied in color,
and are quarried in many different parts of the state, being extensively
utilized for building and other purposes.
Among the Lower Carboniferous rocks is found the Upper Archi-
medes Limestone, 200 feet; Ferruginous Sandstone, 195 feet; Middle
Archimedes, 50 feet; St. Louis Limestone, 250 feet; Oolitic Limestone,
25 feet; Lower Archimedes Limestone, 350 feet; and Encrinital Lime-
stone, 500 feet. These limestones generally contain fossils.
The Ferruginous Limestone is soft when quarried, but becomes hard
and durable after exposure. It contains large quantities of iron, and is
found skirting the eastern coal measures from the mouth of the Des
Moines to McDonald County.
The St. Louis Limestone is of various hues and tints, and very hard.
It is found in Clark, Lewis and St. Louis Counties.
The Lower Archimedes Limestone includes partly the lead-bearing
rocks of Southwest Missouri.
The Encrinital Limestone is the most extensive of the divisions of
Carboniferous Limestone, and is made up of brown, buff, gray and white.
22 HISTORY OF MISSOURI.
In these strata are found the remains of corals and mollusks. This
formation extends from Marion County to Greene County. The Devo-
nian system contains: Chemung Group, Hamilton Group, Onondaga
Limestone and Oriskany Sandstone. The rocks of the Devonian system
are found in Marion, Ralls, Pike, Callaway, Saline and Ste. Genevieve
Counties.
The Chemung Group has three formations, Chouteau Limestone, 85
feet ; Vermicular Sandstone and shales, 75 feet ; Lithographic Limestone,
125 feet.
The Chouteau Limestone is" in two divisions, when fully developed,
and when first quarried is soft. It is not only good for building purposes
but makes an excellent cement.
The Vermicular Sandstone and shales are usually buff or yellowish
brown, perforated with pores.
The Lithographic Limestone is a pure, fine, compact, evenly-textured
limestone. Its color varies from light drab to buff and blue. It is called
"pot-metal," because under the hammer it gives a sharp, ringing sound.
It has but few fossils.
The Hamilton Group is made up of some forty feet of blue shales,
and 170 feet of Crystalline limestone.
Onondaga Limestone is usually a coarse, gray or buff crystalline,
thick-bedded and cherry limestone. No formation in Missouri presents
such variable and widely different lithological characters as the Onondaga.
The Oriskany Sandstone is a light gray limestone.
Of the Upper Silurian series there are the following formations :
Lower Helderburg, 350 feet ; Niagara Group, 200 feet ; Cape Girardeau
Limestone, 60 feet.
The Lower Helderburg is made up of buff, gray and reddish cherry
and argillaceous limestone.
Niagara Group. The upper part of this group consists of red, yel-
low and ash-colored shales, with compact limestones, variegated with
bands and nodules of chert.
The Cape Girardeau Limestone, on the Mississippi River near Cape
Girardeau, is a compact, bluish-gray, brittle limestone, with smooth frac-
tures in layers from two to six inches in thickness, with argillaceous
partings. These strata contain a great many fossils.
The Lower Silurian has the following ten formations, to wit : Hudson
River Group, 220 feet ; Trenton Limestone, 360 feet ; Black River and
Bird's Eye Limestone, 175 feet ; first Magnesian Limestone, 200 feet; Sac-
charoidal Sandstone, 125 feet; second Magnesian Limestone, 250 feet ;
second Sandstone, 115 feet; third Magnesian Limestone, 350 feet; third
Sandstone, 60 feet; fourth Magnesian Limestone, 350 feet.
Hudson River Group. There are three formations which Professor
Swallow refers to in this group. These formation are found in the bluff
HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 2$
above and below Louisiana, on the Grassy, a few miles northwest of
Louisiana, and in Ralls, Pike, Cape Girardeau and Ste. Genevieve
Counties.
Trenton Limestone. The upper part of this formation is made up of
thick beds of hard, compact, bluish-gray and drab limestone, variegated
with irregular cavities, filled with greenish materials.
The beds are exposed between Hannibal and New London, north of
Salt River, and near Glencoe, St. Louis County, and are 75 feet thick.
Black River and Bird's Eye Limestone is the same color as the Tren-
ton Limestone.
The first Magnesian Limestone cap the picturesque bluffs of the Osage
in Benton and neighboring counties.
The Saccharoidal Sandstone has a wide range in the state. In a
bluff about two miles from Warsaw, is a very striking change of thickness
of this formation.
Second Magnesian Limestone, in lithological character, is like the first.
The second Sandstone, usually of yellowish-brown, sometimes becomes
a pure white, fine-grained, soft, sandstone, as on Cedar Creek, in Wash-
ington and Franklin Counties.
The third Magnesian Limestone is exposed in the high and pictur-
esque bluffs of the Niangua, in the neighborhood of Bry's Spring.
The third Sandstone is white and has a formation in moving water.
The fourth Magnesian Limestone is seen on the Niangua and Osage
Rivers.
The Azoic rocks lie below the Silurian and form a series of silicious .
and other slates, which contain no remains of organic life.
ECONOMIC GEOLOGY.
Coal. — Missouri is particularly rich in minerals. Indeed, no state in
the Union surpasses her in this respect. In some unknown age of the
past — long before the existence of man, nature, by a wise process, made
a bountiful provision for the time, when in the order of things it should
be necessary for civilized man to take possession of these broad, rich
prairies. As an equivalent for lack of forests she quietly stored away
beneath the soil those wonderful carboniferous treasures for the use of
man.
Geological surveys have developed the fact that the coal deposits in
the state are almost unnumbered, embracing all varieties of the best bit-
uminous coal. The southeast boundary of the state has been ascertained
to be one continuous coal field, stretching from the mouth of the Des
Moines River, through Clark, Lewis, Scotland, Adair, Macon, Shelby,
Monroe, Audrain, Callaway, Boone, Cooper, Pettis, Benton, Henry, St.
Clair, Bates, Vernon, Cedar, Dade, Barton and Jasper, into the Indian
Territory, and the counties on the northwest of this line contain more or
24 HISTORY OF MISSOURI.
less coal. Coal rocks exist in Rails, Montgomery, Warren, St. Charles,
Moniteau, Cole, Morgan, Crawford and Lincoln, and during the past few
years all along the lines of all the railroads in North Missouri, and along
the western end of the Missouri Pacific, and on the Missouri River
between Kansas City and Sioux City, has systematic mining opened up
hundreds of mines in different localities. The area of our coal beds on the
line of the southwestern boundary of the state alone embrace more than
26,000 square miles of regular coal measures. This will give of workable
coal, if the average be one foot, 26,800,000,000 tons. The estimates from
the developments already made in the different portions of the state
will give 134,000,000,000 tons.
The economical value of this coal to the state, its influence in
domestic life, in navigation, commerce and manufactures, is beyond the
imagination of man to conceive. Suffice it to say, that in the possession
of her developed and undeveloped coal mines, Missouri has a motive
power which in its influence for good in the civilization of man is more
than the gold of California.
Iron. — Prominent among the minerals which increase the power and
prosperity of a nation is iron. Of this ore Missouri has an inexhaustible
quantity, and, like her coal fields, it has been developed in many portions
of the state, and of the best and purest quality. It is found in great
abundance in the counties of Cooper, St. Clair, Green, Henry, Franklin,
Benton, Dallas, Camden, Stone, Madison, Iron, Washington, Perry, St.
Francois, Reynolds, Stoddard, Scott, Dent, and others. The greatest
deposit of iron is found in the Iron Mountain, which is two hundred feet
high, and covers an area of five hundred acres, and produces a metal
which is shown by analysis to contain from 65 to 69 per cent, of metallic
iron.
The ore of Shepherd Mountain contains from 64 to 67 per cent, of
metallic iron. The ore of Pilot Knob contains from 53 to 60 per cent.
Rich beds of iron are also found at the Big Bogy Mountain, and at
Russell Mountain. This ore has in its nude state a variety of colors,
from the red, dark red, black, brown, to a light bluish gray. The red
ores are found in 21 or more counties of the state, and are of great com-
mercial value. The brown hematite iron ores extend over a greater
range of country than all the others combined ; embracing about 100
counties, and have been ascertained to exist in these in large quantities.
Lead. — Long before any permanent settlements were made in Mis-
souri by the whites, lead was mined within the limits of the state, at
two or three points on the Mississippi. At this time more than five hun-
dred mines are opened, and many of them are being successfully worked.
Tnese deposits of lead cover an area, so far as developed, of more than
7,000 square miles. Mines have been opened in Jefferson, Washington,
St. Francois, Madison, Wayne, Carter, Reynolds, Crawford, Ste. Gene-
HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 2$
vieve, Perry, Cole, Cape Girardeau, Camden, Morgan and some other
counties.
Copper 2nd Zinc. — Several varieties of copper ore are found in Mis-
souri. The copper mines of Shannon, Madison, and Franklin Counties
have been known for years, and some of these have been successfully
worked and are now yielding good results.
Deposits of copper have been discovered in Dent, Crawford, Benton,
Maries, Green, Lawrence, Dade, Taney, Dallas, Phelps, Reynolds and
Wright Counties.
Zinc is abundant in nearly all the lead mines in the southwestern
part of the state, and since the completion of the A. & P. R. R. a market
has been furnished for this ore, which will be converted into valuable
merchandise.
Building Stone and Marble. — There is no scarcity of good building
stone in Missouri. Limestone, sandstone and granite exist in all shades
of buff, blue, red and brown, and are of great beauty as building material.
Theie ire many marble beds in the state, some of which furnish
very beautiful and excellent marble. It is found in Marion, Cooper, St.
Louis and other counties.
One of the most desirable of the Missouri marbles is in the third
Magnesian Limestone, on the Niangua. It is fine grained, crystalline,
silico-magnesian limestone, light drab, slightly tinged with peach blos-
som, and clouded by deep flesh-colored shades. In ornamental archi-
tecture it is rarely surpassed.
Gypsum and Lime. — Though no extensive beds of gypsum have been
disco /ered in Missouri, there are vast beds of the pure white crystalline
variety on the line of the Kansas Pacific Railroad, on Kansas River, and
on Gypsum Creek. It exists also in several other localities accessible
by both rail and boat.
All of the limestone formations in the state, from the coal measures
to the fourth Magnesian, have more or less strata of very nearly pure
carbonate of pure lime.
Clays and Paints. — Clays are found in nearly all parts of the state
suitable for making bricks. Potters' clay and fire clay are worked in
many localities.
There are several beds of purple shades in the coal measures which
possess the properties requisite for paints used in outside work. Yellow
and red ochres are found in considerable quantities on the Missouri
River Some of these paints have been thoroughly tested and found
fire-proof and durable.
SPRINGS AND WATER POWER.
No State is, perhaps, better supplied with cold springs ot pure water
than Missouri. Out of the bottoms there is scarcely a section of land
2
26 HISTORY OF MISSOURI.
but has one or more perennial springs of good water. Even where there
are no springs good water can be obtained by digging from twenty to
forty feet. Salt springs are abundant in the central part of the state,
and discharge their brine in Cooper, Saline, Howard and adjoining coun-
ties. Considerable salt was made in Cooper and Howard counties at an
early day.
Sulphur springs are also numerous throughout the state. The Cho-
teau Springs in Cooper, the Monagaw Springs in St. Clair, the Elk
Springs in Pike, and the Cheltenham Springs in St. Louis County, have
acquired considerable reputation as salubrious waters, and have become
popular places of resort. Many other counties have good sulphur
springs.
Among the Chalybeate springs the Sweet Springs on the Black-
water, and the Chalybeate Spring in the University campus are, perhaps,
the most popular of the kind in the State. There are, however, other
springs impregnated with some of the salts of iron.
Petroleum springs are found in Carroll, Ray, Randolph, Cass, Lafay-
ette, Bates, Vernon and other counties. The variety called lubricating
oil is the more common.
The water power of the State is excellent. Large springs are par-
ticularly abundant on the Meramec, Gasconade, Bourbeuse, Osage, N'ian-
gua, Spring, White, Sugar and other streams. Besides these, there are
hundreds of springs sufficiently large to drive mills and factories, and the
day is not far distant when these crystal fountains will be utilized, and a
thousand saws will buzz to their dashing music
CHAPTER IV.
TITLE AND EARLY SETTLEMENTS.
TITLE TO MISSOURI LANDS-RIGHT OF DISCOVERY— TITLE OF FRANCE AND SPAIN —
CESSION TO THE UNITED STATES — TERRITORIAL CHANGES —TREATIES WITH
INDIANS— FIRST SETTLEMENT- STE. GENEVIEVE AND NEW BOURBON— ST. LOUIS—
WHEN INCORPORATED— POTOSI-ST. CHARLES— PORTAGE DES SIOUX-NEW MADRID
—ST. FRANCOIS COUNTY— PERRY— MISSISSIPPI— LOUTRE ISLANDS— '* BOONE'S LICK"
—COTE SANS DESSEIN— HOWARD COUNTY-SOME FIRST THINGS— COUNTIES— WHEN
ORGANIZED.
The title to the soil of Missouri was, of course, primarily vested in
the original occupants who inhabited the country prior to its discovery
by the whites. But the Indians, being savages, possessed but few rights
HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 27
that civilized nations considered themselves bound to respect, so when
they found this country in the possession of such a people, they claimed
it in the name of the King of France by the right of discovery. It
remained under the jurisdiction of France until 1763.
Prior to the year 1763 the entire continent of North America was
divided between France, England, Spain and Russia. France held all
that portion that now constitutes our national domain west of the Mis-
sissippi River, except Texas and the territory which we have obtained
from Mexico and Russia. The vast region, while under the jurisdiction
of France, was known as the "Province of Louisiana," and embraced the
present State of Missouri. At the close of the "Old French War," in
1763, France gave up her share of the continent, and Spain came into
the possession of the territory west of the Mississippi River, while Great
Britain retained Canada and the regions northward, having obtained
that territory by conquest in the war with France. For thirty-seven
years the territory now embraced within the limits of Missouri, remained
as a part of the possession of Spain, and then went back to France by
the treaty of St. Ildefonso, October 1st, 1800. On the 30th of April,
1803, France ceded it to the United States in consideration of receiving
$11,250,000 and the liquidation of certain claims held by citizens of the
United States against France, which amounted to the further sum of
$3,750,00, making a total of $ 1 5,000,000. It will thus be seen that France
has twice, and Spain once, held sovereignty over the territory embracing
Missouri, but the financial needs of Napoleon afforded our government
an opportunity to add another empire to its domain.
On the 31st of October, 1803, an act of Congress was approved,
authorizing the President to take possession of the newly acquired ter-
ritory, and provided for it a temporary government, and another act,
approved March 26th, 1804, authorized the division of the "Louisiana
Purchase," as it was then called, into two separate territories. All
that portion south of the 33d parallel of north latitude was called the
" Territory of Orleans," and that north of the said parallel was known as
the " District of Louisiana," and was placed under the jurisdiction of
what was then known as " Indiana Territory."
By virtue of an act of Congress, approved March 3, 1805, the "Dis-
trict of Louisiana" was organized as the " Territory of Louisiana," with
a territorial government of its own, which went into operation July 4th,
of the same year, and it so remained until 1812. In this year the
" Territory of Orleans " became the State of Louisiana, and the " Terri-
tory of Louisiana " was organized as the " Territory of Missouri."
This change took place under an act of Congress, approved June
4th, 1812. In 1819 a portion of this territory was organized as "Arkan-
sas Territory," and in 18 12 the State of Missouri was admitted, being a
part of the former " Territory of Missouri."
28 HISTORY OF MISSOURI.
In 1836 the "Platte Purchase," then being a part of the Indian Ter-
ritory, and now composing the counties of Atchison, Andrew, Buchanan,
Holt, Nodaway, and Platte, was made by treaty with the Indians, and
added to the state. It will be seen then that the soil of Missouri be-
longed
First — To France with other territory.
Second — In 1768, with other territory it was ceded to Spain.
Third — October 1st, 1800, it was ceded with other territory from
Spain back to France.
Fourth — April 30th, 1803, it was ceded with other territory by
France to the United States.
Fifth — October 31, 1803, a temporary government was authorized
by Congress for the newly acquired territory.
Sixth — October 1, 1804, it was included in the "District of Louis-
iana," and placed under the territorial government of Indiana.
Seventh — July 4, 1805, it was included as a part of the "Territory
of Louisiana," then organized with a separate territorial government.
Eighth — June 4, 1812, it was embraced in what was then made the
"Territory of Missouri."
Ninth — August 10, 1821, it was admitted into the Union as a state.
Tenth — In 1836 the "Platte Purchase" was made, adding more ter-
ritory to the state.
The cession by France, April 30, 1803, vested the title in the United
States, subject to the claims of the Indians, which it was very justly the
policy of the government to recognize. Before the government of the
United States could vest clear title to the soil in the grantee it was
necessary to extinguish the Indian title by purchase. This was done
accordingly by treaties made with the Indians at different times.
EARLY SETTLEMENTS.
The name of the first white man who set foot on the territory now
embraced in the State of Missouri is not known, nor is it known at what
precise period the first settlements were made. It is, however, gener-
ally agreed that they were made at Ste. Genevieve and New Bourbon,
tradition fixing the date of these settlements in the autumn of 1735-
These towns were settled by the French from Kaskaskia and St. Philip
in Illinois.
St. Louis was founded by Pierre Laclede Liguest, on the 15th of
February, 1764. He was a native of France, and was one of the members
of the company of Laclede, Liguest, Antoino Maxant & Co., to whom
a royal charter had been granted, conf rm'ng the privilege of an exclu-
sive trade with the Jndians of the Missouri as far north as St. Peter's
River.
HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 29
While in search of a trading post he ascended the Mississippi as far
as the mouth of the Missouri, and finally returned to the present town site
of St. Louis. After the village had been laid off he named it St. Louis,
in honor of Louis XV, of France.
The colony thrived rapidly by accessions from Kaskaskia and other
towns on the east side of the Mississippi, and its trade was largely in-
creased by many of the Indian tribes, who removed a portion of their
peltry trade from the same towns to St. Louis. It was incorporated as
a town on the 9th day of November, 1809, by the court of Common
Pleas of the district of St. Louis; the town trustees being Auguste Chou-
teau, Edward Hempstead, Jean F. Cabanne, Wm. C. Carr and Wm.
Christy, and incorporated as a city December 9, 1822. The selection
of the town site on which St. Louis stands was highly judicious, the spot
not only being healthful and having the advantages of water transpor-
tation unsurpassed, but surrounded by a beautiful region of country, rich
in soil and mineral resources. St. Louis has grown to be the fifth city
in population in the Union, and is to-day, the great centre of internal
commerce of the Missouri, the Mississippi and their tributaries, and,
with its railroad facilities, it is destined to be the greatest inland city of
the American continent.
The next settlement was made at Potosi, in Washington County,
in 1765, by Francis Breton, who, while chasing a bear, discovered the
mine near the present town of Potosi, where he afterward located.
One of the most prominent pioneers who settled at Potosi, was
Moses Austin, of Virginia, who, in 1773, received by grant from the
Spanish government, a league of land now known as the "Austin Sur-
vey." The grant was made on the condition that Mr. Austin would
establish a lead mine at Potosi and work it. He built a palatial resi-
dence, for that day, on the brow of the hill in the little village, which
■was, for many years, known as "Durham Hall." At this point the first
shot-tower and sheet-lead manufactory were erected.
Five years after the founding of St. Louis the first settlement made
in Northern Missouri was made at or near St. Charles, in St. Charles
County, in 1769. The name given to it, and which it retained till 1784,
was Les Petites Cotes, signifying Little Hills. The town site was located
by Blanchette, a Frenchman, surnamed LeChasseur, who built the first
fort in the town and established there a military post.
Soon after the establishment of the military post at St. Charles, the
■old French village of Portage des Sioux was located on the Mississipi,
just below the mouth of the Illinois river, and at about the same time a
Kickapoo village was commenced at Clear Weather Lake. The present
town site of New Madrid, in New Madrid County, was settled in 1781,
•by French Canadians, it then being occupied by Delaware Indians. The
place now known as Big River Mills, St. Francois County, was settled in
30 HISTORY OF MISSOURI.
1796, Andrew Baker, John Alley, Francis Starater and John Andrews each
locating claims. The following year a settlement was made in the same
county, just below the the present town of Farmington, by the Rev. Wm.
Murphy, a Baptist minister from East Tennessee. In 1796, settlements
were made in Perry County by emigrants from Kentucky and Pennsyl-
vania ; the latter locating in the rich bottom lands of Bois Brule, the
former generally settling in the "Barrens," and along the waters of Saline
Creek.
Bird's Point, in Mississippi County, opposite Cairo, 111., was settled
August 6, 1800, by John Johnson, by virtue of a land grant from the com-
mandant under the Spanish Government. Norfolk and Charleston, in
the same county, were settled respectively in 1800 and 1801. Warren
county was settled in 1801. Loutre Island, below the present town of
Herman, in the Missouri River, was settled by a few American families
in 1807. This little company of pioneers suffered greatly from the floods,
as well as from the incursions of thieving and blood-thirsty Indians, and
many incidents of a thrilling character could be related of trials and
struggles had we the time and space.
In 1807 Nathan and Daniel Boone, sons of the great hunter and pio-
neer, in company with three others, went from St. Louis to "Boone's
Lick," in Howard County, where they manufactured salt, and formed the
nucleus of a small settlement.
Cote Sans Dessein, now called Bakersville, on the Missouri River, in
Callaway County, was settled by the French in 1801. This little town
was considered at that time as the " Far West" of the new world. During
the war of 18 12, at this place many hard-fought battles occurred between
the whites and Indians, wherein woman's fortitude and courage greatly
assisted in the defense of the settlement.
In 1810 a colony of Kentuckians, numbering one hundred and fifty
families, immigrated to Howard County, and settled in the Missouri River
bottom, near the present town of Franklin.
Such, in brief, is the history of some of the early settlements of Mis-
souri, covering a period of more than half a century.
These settlements were made on the water courses ; usually along
the banks of the two great streams, whose navigation afforded them
transportation for their marketable commodities and communication
with the civilized portion of the country.
They not only encountered the gloomy forests, settling as they did,
by the river's brink, but the hostile incursion of savage Indians, by whom
they were for many years surrounded.
The expedients of these brave men who first broke ground in the
territory have been succeeded by the permanent and tasteful improve-
ments of their descendants. Upon the spots where they toiled, dared
and died, are seen the comfortable farm, the beautiful village and thrifty
HISTORY OF MISSOURI. SI
city. Churches and school houses greet the eye on every hand ; rail-
roads diverge in every direction, and indeed, all the appliances of a higher
civilization are profusely strewn over the smiling surface of the state.
Culture's hand
Has scattered verdure o'er the land )
And smiles and fragrance rule serene,
Where barren wild usurped the scene.
SOME FIRST THINGS.
The first marriage that took place in Missouri was April 20, 1766, in
St. Louis.
The first baptism was performed in May, 1776, in St. Louis.
The first house of worship (Catholic), was erected in 1775, at St.
Louis.
The first ferry established in 1805, on the Mississippi River, at St.
Louis.
The first newspaper established in St. Louis (Missouri Gazette) in
1808.
The first postoffice was established in 1804, in St. Louis — Rufus
Easton, postmaster.
The first Protestant church erected at Ste. Genevieve, in 1806—
Baptist.
The first bank established, (Bank of St. Louis), in 18 14.
The first market house opened in 181 1, in St. Louis.
The first steamboat on the Upper Mississippi was the General Pike,
Capt. Jacob Reid ; landed at St. Louis, 18 17.
The first board of trustees for public schools appointed in 18 17, St.
Louis.
The first college built, (St. Louis College), in 18 17.
The first steamboat that came up the Missouri River as high as
Franklin was the Independence, in 1819; Capt. Nelson, master.
The first court house erected in 1823, in St. Louis.
The first cholera appeared in St. Louis in 1832.
The first railroad convention held in St. Louis, April 20, 1836.
The first telegraph lines reached East St. Louis, December 20, 1847.
The first great fire occurred in St. Louis, 1849.
j2 HISTORY OF MISSOURI.
CHAPTER V.
TERRITORIAL ORGANIZATION.
ORGANIZATION 1812-COUNCIL-HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES— WM. CLARK FIRST TER-
RITORIAL GOVERNOR— EDWARD HEMPSTEAD FIRST DELEGATE— SPANISH GRANTS
—FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY-PROCEEDINGS-SECOND ASSEMBLY— PROCEEDINGS-
POPULATION OF TERRITORY -VOTE OF TERRITORY — RUFUS EASTON- ABSENT
MEMBERS— THIRD ASSEMBLY-PROCEEDINGS— APPLICATION FOR ADMISSION.
Congress organized Missouri as a territory July 4, 18 12, with a Gov-
ernor and General Assembly. The Governor, Legislative Council and
House of Representatives exercised the legislative power of the terri-
tory, the Governor's vetoing power being absolute.
The Legislative Council was composed of nine members, whose
tenure of office lasted five years. Eighteen citizens were nominated by
the House of Representatives to the President of the United States,
from whom he selected, with the approval of the Senate, nine Council-
lors to compose the Legislative Council.
The House of Representatives consisted of members chosen every
two years by the people, the basis of representation being one member
for every five hundred white males. The first House of Representatives
consisted of thirteen members, and, by act of Congress, the whole num-
ber of Representatives could not exceed twenty-five.
The judicial power of the territory was vested in the Superior and
Inferior Courts, and in the Justices of the Peace ; the Superior Court
having three judges, whose term of office continued four years, having
original and appellate jurisdiction in civil and criminal cases.
The Territory could send one delegate to Congress. Governor
Clark issued a proclamation, October 1st, 1812, required by Congress,
reorganizing the districts of St. Charles, St. Louis, Ste. Genevieve, Cape
Girardeau and New Madrid into five counties, and fixed the second Mon-
day in November following for the election of a delegate to Congress,
and the members of the Territorial House of Representatives.
William Clark, of the expedition of Lewis and Clark, was the first
Territorial Governor, appointed by the President, who began his duties
in 1813.
Edward Hempstead, Rufus Easton, Samuel Hammond and Matthew
Lyon were candidates in November for delegates to Congress.
Edward Hempstead was elected, being the first Territorial Delegate
to Congress from Missouri. He served one term, declining a second,
and was instrumental in having Congress to pass the act of June 13, 18 12,
which he introduced, confirming the title to lands which were claimed
HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 33
by the people by virtue of Spanish grants. The same act confirmed to
the people " for the support of schools," the title to village lots, out-lots or
common field-lots, which were held and enjoyed by them at the time of
the cession of 1803.
Under the act of June 4, 1812, the first General Assembly held its
session in the house of Joseph Robidoux, on the 7th of December, 1812.
The names of the members of the House were :
St. Charles. — John Pitman and Robert Spencer.
St. Louis. — David Music, Bernard G. Farrar, William C. Carr and
Richard Clark.
Ste. Genevieve. — George Bullet, Richard S. Thomas and Isaac
McGready.
Cape Girardeau. — George F. Bollinger and Spencer Byrd.
New Madrid. — John Shrader and Samuel Phillips.
John B. C. Lucas, one of the Territorial Judges, administered the oath
of office. William C. Carr was elected Speaker and Andrew Scott, Clerk.
The House of Representatives proceeded to nominate eighteen per-
sons from whom the President of the United States, with the Senate, was
to select nine for the Council. From this number the President chose
the following :
St. Charles. — James Flaugherty and Benjamin Emmons.
St. Louis. — August Choteau, Sr. and Samuel Hammond,
Ste. Genevieve. — John Scott and James Maxwell.
Cape Girardeau. — William Neely and Joseph Cavenor.
New Madrid. — Joseph Hunter.
The Legislative Council, thus chosen by the President and Senate,
was announced by Frederick Bates, Secretary and Acting-Governor of
the Territory, by proclamation, June 3, 1813, and fixing the first Monday
in July following as the time for the meeting of the Legislature.
In the meantime the duties of the executive office were assumed by
William Clark. The Legislature accordingly met as required by the
Acting-Governor's proclamation, in July, but its proceedings were never
officially published. Consequently but little is known in reference to
the workings of the first Territorial Legislature of Missouri.
From the imperfect account, published in the Missouri Gazette, of
that day, a paper which had been in existence since 1808, it is found
that laws were passed regulating and establishing weights and measures ,
creating the office of sheriff; providing the manner for taking the census ,
permanently fixing the seats of justice, and an act to compensate its
own members. At this session laws were also passed defining crimes
and penalties ; laws in reference to forcible entry and detainer ; estab-
lishing Courts of Common Pleas ; incorporating the Bank of St. Louis
and organizing a part of Ste. Genevieve County into the county of
Washington.
34 HISTORY OF MISSOURI.
The next session of the Legislature convened in St. Louis, Decem-
ber 6, 1813. George Bullet, of Ste. Genevieve county, was Speaker elect,
Andrew Scott, clerk, and William Sullivan, doorkeeper. Since the
adjournment of the former Legislature several vacancies had occurred, and
new members had been elected to fill their places. Among these was
Israel McGready, from the county of Washington.
The president of the legislative council was Samuel Hammond. No
journal of the council was officially published, but the proceedings of the
House are found in the Gazette.
At this session of the Legislature many wise and useful laws were
passed, having reference to the temporal as well as the moral and spirit-
ual welfare of the people. Laws were enacted for the suppression of
vice and immorality on the Sabbath day ; for the improvement of pub-
lic roads and highways ; creating the offices of auditor, treasurer and
county surveyor ; regulating the fiscal affairs of the Territory and fixing
the boundary lines of New Madrid, Cape Girardeau, Washington and St.
Charles Counties. The Legislature adjourned on the 19th of January,
18 14, sine die.
The population of the territory as shown by the United States
census in 18 10, was 20,845. The census taken by the Legislature in 18 14
gave the territory a population of 25,000. This enumeration shows the
county of St. Louis contained the greatest number of inhabitants, and
the new county of Arkansas the least — the latter having 827, and the
former 3,149.
The candidates for delegate to Congress were Rufus Easton, Samuel
Hammond, Alexander McNair and Thomas F. Riddick. Rufus Easton
and Samuel Hammond had been candidates at the preceding election.
In all the counties, excepting Arkansas, the votes aggregated 2,599, °f
which number Mr. Easton received 965, Mr. Hammond 746, Mr. NcNair
853, and Mr. Riddick (who had withdrawn previously to the election) 35.
Mr. Easton was elected.
The census of 18 14, showing a large increase in the population of the
territory, an apportionment was made increasing the number of repre-
sentatives in the territorial Legislature to twenty-two. The General
Assembly began its session in St. Louis, December 5, 18 14. There were
present on the first day twenty Representatives. James Caldwell of Ste.
Genevieve county was elected speaker, and Andrew Scott, who had been
clerk of the preceding assembly, was chosen clerk. The president of the
council was William Neely, of Cape Girardeau County.
It appears that James Maxwell, the absent member of the council,
and Seth Emmons, member elect of the House of Representatives, were
dead. The county of Lawrence was organized at this session, from the
western part of New Madrid County, and the corporate powers of St.
Louis were enlarged. In 181 5 the territorial Legislature again began its
HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 35
session. Only a partial report of its proceedings are given in the
Gazette. The county of Howard was then organized from St. Louis and
St. Charles Counties, and included all that part of the state lying north
of the Osage and south of the dividing ridge between the Mississippi and
Missouri Rivers.
The next session of the territorial Legislature commenced its ses-
sion in December, 1816. During the sitting of this Legislature many
important acts were passed. It was then that the "Bank of Missouri"
was chartered and went into operation. In the fall of 18 17 the " Bank of
St. Louis" and the "Bank of Missouri" were issuing bills. An act was
passed chartering lottery companies, chartering the academy at Potosi,
and incorporating a board of trustees for superintending the schools in
the town of St. Louis. Laws were also passed to encourage the "killing
of wolves, panthers and wild-cats."
The territorial Legislature met again in December, 18 18, and
among other things, organized the counties of Pike, Cooper, Jefferson,
Franklin, Wayne, Lincoln, Madison, Montgomery, and three counties in
the southern part of Arkansas. It 18 19 the Territory of Arkansas was
formed into a separate government of its own.
The people of the Territory of Missouri had been, for some time,
anxious that their territory should assume the duties and responsibilities
of a sovereign state. Since 1812, the date of the organization of the
territory, the population had rapidly increased, many counties had been
established, its commerce had grown into importance, its agricultural
and mineral resources were being developed, and believing that its
admission into the Union as a state would give fresh impetus to all these
interests and hasten its settlement, the territorial Legislature of 18 18-19
accordingly made application to Congress for the passage of an act
authorizing the people of Missouri to organize a state government
CHAPTER VI.
APPLICATION OP MISSOURI TO BE ADMITTED INTO THE UNION-AGITATION OF THK
SLAVERY QUESTION-" MISSOURI COMPROMISE "-CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION
OF i8jo— CONSTITUTION PRESENTED TO CONGRESS-FURTHER RESISTANCE TO
ADMISSION— MR. CLAY AND HIS COMMITTEE MAKE REPORT— SECOND COMPROMISE
—MISSOURI ADMITTED.
With the application of the territorial Legislature of Missouri for
her admission into the Union commenced the real agitation of the
slavery question in the United States.
36 HISTORY OF MISSOURI.
Not only was our National Legislature the theatre of angry discus-
sions, but everywhere throughout the length and breadth of the Repub-
lic the "Missouri Question" was the all-absorbing theme. The political
skies threatened,
" In forked flashes, a commanding tempest,"
Which was liable to burst upon the nation at any moment. Through
such a crisis our country seemed destined to pass. The question as to
the admission of Missouri was to be the beginning of this crisis, which
distracted the public counsels of the nation for more than forty years
afterward.
Missouri asked to be admitted into the great family of states.
"Lower Louisiana," her twin sister territory, had knocked at the door of
the Union eight years previously, and was admitted, as stipulated by
Napoleon, to all the rights, privileges and immunities of a state, and in
accordance with the stipulations of the same treaty, Missouri now sought
to be clothed with the same rights, privileges and immunities.
As what is known in the history of the United States as the "Mis-
souri Compromise," of 1820, takes rank among the most prominent
measures that had up to that day engaged the attention of our National
Legislature, we shall enter somewhat into its details, being connected as
they are with the annals of the state.
February ijt/i, i8ip. — After the House had resolved itself into a
committee of the whole on the bill to authorize the admission of Mis-
souri into the Union, and after the question of her admission had been
discussed for some time, Mr. Tallmadge, of New York, moved to amend
the bill by adding to it the following proviso :
"And Provided, That the further introduction of slavery or involun-
tary servitude be prohibited, except for the punishment of crime, whereof
the party shall have been duly convicted, and that all children born
within the said state, after the admission thereof into the Union, shall
be free at the age of twenty-five years."
As might have been expected, this proviso precipitated the angry
discussion which lasted for nearly three years, finally culminating in the
Missouri Compromise. All phases of the slavery question were presented,
not only in its moral and social aspects, but as a great constitutional
question, affecting Missouri and the admission of future states. The pro-
viso, when submitted to a vote, was adopted — 79 to 67, and so reported
to the House.
Hon John Scott, who was at that time a delegate from the Territory
of Missouri, was not permitted to vote, but as such delegate, he had the
privilege of participating in the debates which followed. On the 16th
day of February the proviso was taken up and discussed. After several
speeches had been made, among them one by Mr. Scott and one by the
HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 37
author of the proviso, Mr. Tallmadge, the amendment or proviso was
divided into two parts, and voted upon. The first part of it, which
included all to the word "convicted," was adopted — 87 to j6. The
remaining part was then voted upon, and also adopted, by 82 to 78. By
a vote of 97 to 56 the bill was ordered to be engrossed for a third reading.
The Senate Committee, to whom the bill was referred, reported the
same to the Senate on the 10th of February, when that body voted first
upon a motion to strike out of the proviso all after the word "convicted,"
which was carried by a vote of 32 to 7. It then voted to strike out the
first entire clause, which prevailed — 22 to 16, thereby defeating the
proviso.
The House declined to concur in the action of the Senate, and the
bill was again returned to that body, which in turn refused to recede from
its position. The bill was lost, and Congress adjourned. This was most
unfortunate for the country. The people having been wrought up to
fever heat over the agitation of the question in the national councils,
now became intensely excited. The press added fuel to the flame, and
the progress of events seemed rapidly tending to the downfall of our
nationality.
A long interval of nine months was to ensue before the meeting of
Congress. That body indicated by its vote upon the "Missouri ques-
tion" that the two great sections of the country were politically divided
upon the subject of slavery. The restrictive clause, which it was sought
to impose upon Missouri as a condition of her admission, would in all
probability be one of the conditions of the admission of the Territory of
Arkansas. The public mind was in a state of great doubt and uncer-
tainty up to the meeting of Congress, which took place on the 6th of
December, 1819. The memorial of the Legislative Council and House
of Representatives of the Missouri Territory, praying for admission into
the Union, was presented to the Senate by Mr. Smith, of South Carolina.
It was referred to the Judiciary Committee.
Some three weeks having passed without any action thereon by the
Senate, the bill was taken up and discussed by the House until the 19th
of February, when the bill from the Senate for the admission of Maine
was considered. The bill for the admission of Maine included the "Mis-
souri question " by an amendment, which reads as follows :
"And be it further enacted, That in all territory ceded by France to
the United States, under the name of Louisiana, which lies north of
thirty-six degrees and thirty minutes, north latitude, (excepting such
part thereof as is) included within the limits of the state, contemplated
by this act, slavery and involuntary servitude, otherwise than in the
punishment of crimes, whereof the party shall have been convicted, shall
be and is hereby forever prohibited : Provided always. That any person
escaping into the same, from whom labor or service is lawfully claimed,
38 HISTORY OF MISSOURI.
in any state or territory of the United States, such fugitive may be law-
fully reclaimed and conveyed to the person claiming his or her labor or
service as aforesaid."
The Senate adopted this amendment, which formed the basis of the
" Missouri Compromise," modified afterward by striking out the words,
"excepting only such part thereof?
The bill passed the Senate by a vote of 24 to 20. On the 2d day of
March the House took up the bill and amendments for consideration,
and by a vote of 134 to 42 concurred in the Senate amendment, and the
bill, being passed by the two Houses, constituted section 8, of " An Act
to authorize the people of the Missouri Territory to form a Constitution
and State Government, and for the admission of such state into the
Union on an equal footing with the original states, and to prohibit
slavery in certain territory."
This act was approved March 6, 1820. Missouri then contained fif-
teen organized counties. By act of Congress the people of said state
were authorized to hold an election on the first Monday, and two suc-
ceeding days thereafter in May, 1820, to select representatives to a state
convention. This convention met in St. Louis on the 12th of June, fol-
lowing the election in May, and concluded its labors on the 19th of July,
1820. David Barton was its president, and Wm. G. Pettis, secretary.
There were forty-one members of this convention, men of ability and
statesmanship, as the admirable constitution which they framed amply
testifies. Their names and the counties represented by them are as
follows :
Cape Girardeau. — Stephen Byrd, James Evans, Richard S. Thomas,
Alexander Buckner and Joseph McFerron.
Cooper.— Robert P. Clark, Robert Wallace, Wm. Lillard.
Franklin. — John G. Heath.
Howard.— Nicholas S. Burkhart, Duff Green, John Ray, Jonathan
S. Findley, Benj. H. Reeves.
Jefferson. — Daniel Hammond.
Lincoln. — Malcolm Henry.
Montgomery. — Jonathan Ramsey, James TalbotL
Madison. — Nathaniel Cook.
New Madrid. — Robert S. Dawson, Christopher G. Houts.
Pike. — Stephen Cleaver.
St. Charles. — Benjamin Emmons, Nathan Boone, Hiram H. Baber.
Ste. Genevieve.— John D. Cook, Henry Dodge, John Scott, R. T. Brown.
St. Louis.— David Barton, Edward Bates, Alexander McNair, Wm.
Rector, John C. Sullivan, Pierre Choteau, Jr., Bernard Pratte, Thomas
F. Riddick.
Washington — John Rice Jones, Samuel Perry, John Hutchings.
Wayne. — Elijah Bettis.
HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 39
On the 13th of November, 1820, Congress met again, and on the 6th
of the same month Mr. Scott, the delegate from Missouri, presented to
the House the constitution as framed by the convention. The same
was referred to a select committee, who made thereon a favorable report.
The admission of the state, however, was resisted, because it was
claimed that its constitution sanctioned slavery, and authorized the
Legislature to pass laws preventing free negroes and mulattoes from
settling in the state. The report of the committee to whom was referred
the Constitution of Missouri was accompanied by a preamble and reso-
lutions, offered by Mr. Lowndes, of South Carolina. The preamble and
resolutions were stricken out.
The application of the state for admission shared the same fate in
the Senate. The question was referred to a select committee, who, on
the 29th of November, reported in favor of admitting the state. The
debate which followed continued for two weeks, and finally Mr. Eaton,
of Tennessee, offered an amendment to the resolution, as follows :
" Provided, That nothing herein contained shall be so construed as
to give the assent of Congress to any provision in the Constitution of
Missouri, if any such there be, which contravenes that clause in the
Constitution of the United States which declares that the citizens of
each state shall be entitled to all the privileges and immunities of citi-
zens in the several states."
The resolution, as amended, was adopted. The resolution and pro-
viso were again taken up and discussed at great length, when the com-
mittee agreed to report the resolution to the House.
The question on agreeing to the amendment, as reported from the
committee of the whole, was lost in the House. A similar resolution
afterward passed the Senate, but was again rejected in the House. Then
it was that the great statesman and pure patriot, Henry Clay, of Ken-
tucky, feeling that the hour had come when angry discussion should
cease :
"With grave
Aspect he rose, and in his rising seem'd
A pillar of state ; deep on his front engraven
Deliberation sat and public care ;
And princely counsel in his face yet shone
Majestic" * • * * *
proposed that the question of Missouri's admission be referred to a com-
mittee consisting of twenty-three persons, (a number equal to the number
of states then composing the Union,) to be appointed to act in conjunction
with a committee of the Senate to consider and report whether Missouri
should be admitted, etc.
The motion prevailed, the committee was appointed and Mr. Clay
made its chairman. The Senate selected seven of its members to act
40 HISTORY OF MISSOURI.
with the committee of twenty-three, and the 26th of February the fol-
lowing report was made by that committee:
"Resolved, by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United
States of America in Congress assembled : That Missouri shall be
admitted into the Union, on an equal footing with the original states, in
all respects whatever, upon the fundamental condition that the fourth
clause, of the twenty-sixth section of the third article of the Constitu-
tion submitted on the part of said state to Congress, shall never be con-
strued to authorize the passage of any law, and that no law shall be
passed in conformity thereto, by which any citizen of either of the states
in this Union shall be excluded from the enjoyment of any of the privi-
leges and immunities to which such citizen is entitled, under the Con-
stitution of the United States ; Provided, That the Legislature of said
state, by a solemn public act, shall declare the assent of the said state
to the said fundamental condition, and shall transmit to the President
of the United States, on or before the fourth Monday in November next,
an authentic copy of the said act ; upon the receipt whereof, the Presi-
dent, by proclamation, shall announce the fact ; whereupon, and without
any further proceeding on the part of Congress, the admission of the
said state into the Union shall be considered complete."
This resolution, after a brief debate, was adopted in the House, and
passed the Senate on the 28th of February, 1821.
At a special session of the Legislature held in St. Charles, in June
following, a solemn public act was adopted, giving its assent to the con-
ditions of admission, as expressed in the resolution of Mr. Clay. August
10th, 1821, President Monroe announced by proclamation the admission
of Missouri into the Union to be comolete.
CHAPTER VII.
MISSOURI AS A STATE.
FIRST ELECTION FOR GOVERNOR AND OTHER STATE OFFICERS-SENATORS AND REF*
RESENTATIVES TO GENERAL ASSEMBLY-SHERIFFS AND CORONERS — UNITED
STATES SENATORS— REPRESENTATIVES IN CONGRESS— SUPREME COURT JUDGES-
COUNTIES ORGANIZED— CAPITAL MOVED TO ST. CHARLES-OFFICIAL RECORD OF
TERRITORIAL AND STATE OFFICERS.
By the Constitution adopted by the Convention on the 19th of July,
1820, the General Assembly was required to meet in St. Louis on the
third Monday in September of that year, and an election was ordered to
HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 41
be held on the 28th of August for the election of a Governor and other
state officers, Senators and Representatives to the General Assembly,
Sheriffs and Coroners, United States Senators and Representatives in
Congress.
It will be seen that Missouri had not as yet been admitted as a
State, but in anticipation of that event and according to the provisions
of the constitution the election was held, and the General Assemby con-
vened.
William Clark (who had been Governor of the territory) and Alex-
ander McNair were candidates for Governor. McNair received 6,576
votes, Clark 2,556, total vote of the state 9,132. There were three can-
didates for Lieutenant Governor, to wit : William H. Ashley, Nathaniel
Cook and Henry Elliot. Ashley received 3,907 votes, Cook 3,212, Elliot
931. A Representative was to be elected for the residue of the Six-
teenth Congress and one for the Seventeenth. John Scott, who was at
the time territorial delegate, was elected to both Congresses without
opposition.
The General Assembly elected in August met on the 19th Septem-
ber, 1820, and organized by electing James Caldwell, of Ste. Genevieve,
Speaker, and John McArthur, Clerk; William H. Ashley, Lieutenant
Governor, President of the Senate ; Silas Bent, President pro tern.
Matthias McKirk, John D. Cook and John R. Jones were appointed
Supreme Judges, each to hold office until sixty-five years of age.
Joshua Barton was appointed Secretary of State ; Peter Didier, State
Treasurer; Edward Bates, Attorney General, and William Christie,
Auditor of Public Accounts.
David Barton and Thomas H. Benton were elected by the General
Assembly to the United States Senate.
At this session of the Legislature the counties of Boone, Callaway,
Chariton, Cole, Gasconade, Lillard, Percy, Ralls, Ray and Saline were
organized.
We should like to give in detail the meetings and proceedings of
the different Legislatures which followed, the elections for Governors
and other state officers, the elections for Congressmen and United
States Senators, but for want of space we can only present in a condensed
form the official record of the territorial and state officers.
OFFICIAL RECORD — TERRITORIAL OFFICERS.
Governors. — Frederick Bates, Secretary and Acting-Governor,
1812-13; William Clark, 1813-20.
OFFICERS OF STATE GOVERNMENT.
Governors. — Alexander McNair, 1820-24; Frederick Bates, 1824-25;
Abraham J. Williams vice Bates, 1825; John Miller vice Bates, 1826-28;
42 HISTORY OF MISSOURI.
John Miller, 1828-32; Daniel Dunklin, 1832-36, resigned, appointed Sur-
veyor General United States.; Lilburn W. Boggs vice Dunklin, 1836 ;
Lilburn W. Boggs, 1836-40; Thomas Reynolds, 1840, died 1844; M. M.
Marmaduke vice Reynolds — John C. Edwards, 1844-48 ; Austin A. King,
1848-52; Sterling Price, 1852-56; Trusten Polk, 1856-57, resigned;
Hancock Jackson vice Polk, 1857; Robert M. Stewart vice Polk, 1857-60 ;
C. F. Jackson, i860, office vacated by ordinance ; Hamilton R. Gamble
vice Jackson, Governor Gamble died 1864; Williard P. Hall, 1864, vice
Gamble; Thomas C. Fletcher, 1864-68; Joseph W. McClurg, 1868-70;
B. Gratz Brown, 1870-72; Silas Woodson, 1872-74; Charles H. Hardin,
1874-76; John S. Phelps, 1876-80; Thomas T. Crittenden, 1880, and is
now Governor. '
Lieutenant-Governors. — William H.Ashley, 1820-24; Benjamin A.
Reeves, 1824-28; Daniel Dunklin, 1828-32; Lilburn W. Boggs, 1832-36;
Franklin Cannon, 1836-40; M. M. Marmaduke, 1840-44; James Young,
1844-48-60; Thomas C. Reynolds, 1860-61; Williard P. Hall, 1861-64-
George Smith, 1864-68 ; Edward O. Stanard, 1868-70; Joseph J. Gravelv,
1870-72; Charles P. Johnson, 1872-74; Norman J. Colman, 1874-76;
Henry C. Brockmeyer, 1876-80; Robert Campbell, 1880, and is the pres-
ent incumbent.
Secretaries of State. — Joshua Barton, 1820-21 ; William G. Pettis,
1821-24; Hamilton R. Gamble, 1824-26; Spencer Pettis, 1826-28; P. H.
McBride, 1829-30; John C. Edwards, 1830, term expired 1835, re-ap-
pointed 1837, resigned 1837; Peter G. Glover, 1837-39; James L. Miner,
1839-45; F. H. Martin, 1845-49; Ephraim B. Ewing, 1849-52; John M.
Richardson, 1852-56; Benjamin F. Massey, 1856-60, re-elected i860, for
four years; Mordecai Oliver, 1861-64; Francis Rodman, 1864-68, re-
elected 1868, for two years; Eugene F. Weigel, 1870-72, re-elected 1872,
for two years; Michael K. McGrath, 1874, and is the present incumbent.
State Treasurers. — Peter Didier, 1820-21 ; Nathaniel Simonds, 1821-
28 ; James Earickson, 1829-33 ; John Walker, 1833-38 ; Abraham McClel-
lan, 1838-43 ; Peter G. Glover, 1843-51 ; A. W. Morrison, 1851-60; Geo.
C. Bingham, 1862-64; William Bishop, 1864-68; William Q. Dallmeyer,
1868-70; Samuel Hays, 1872; Harvey W. Salmon, 1872-74; Joseph W.
Mercer, 1874-76; Elijah Gates, 1876-80; Phillip E. Chappel, 1880, and
present incumbent.
Attorneys General. — Edward Bates, 1 820-2 1 ; RufusEaston, 1821-26;
Robert W. Wells, 1826-36; William B. Napton, 1836-39; S. M. Bay,
1839-45; B. F. Stringfellow, 1845-49; William A. Roberts, 1849-51;
James B. Gardenhire, 1851-56; Ephraim W. Ewing, 1856-59; James P.
Knott, 1859-61; Aikman Welsh, 1861-64; Thomas T. Crittenden, 1864;
Robert F. Wingate, 1864-68; Horace P. Johnson, 1868-70; A. J. Baker,
1870-72; Henry Clay Ewing, 1872-74; John A. Hockaday, 1874-76;
Jackson L. Smith, 1 876-80; Mclntire, 1880, and present incumbent.
HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 43
Auditors of Public Accounts. — William Christie, 1820-21; William
V. Rector, 1821-23; Elias Barcroft, 1823-33; Henry Shurlds, 1833-35;
Peter G. Glover, 1835-37; Hiram H. Baber, 1837-45 ; William Monroe,
1845; J. R. McDermon, 1845-48; George W. Miller, 1848-49; Wilson
Brown, 1849-52; William H. Buffington, 1852-60; William S. Moseley,
1860-64; Alonzo Thompson, 1864-68; Daniel M. Draper, 1868-72; Geo.
B. Clark, 1872-74; Thomas Holladay, 1874-80; John Walker, 1880, and
present incumbent.
Judges of Supreme Court. — Matthias McKirk, 1822-41 ; John D.
Cooke, 1822-23; John R. Jones, 1822-24; Rufus Pettibone, 1823-25;
George Tompkins, 1824-45 ; Robert Walsh, 1825-37; John C. Edwards,
1837-39; William Scott, appointed 1841 till meeting of General Assem-
bly, in place of M. McKirk resigned, re-appointed 1843 i P- H. McBride,
1845 ; William B. Napton, 1849-52; John F. Ryland, 1849-51 ; John H.
Birch, 1849-51 ; William Scott, John F. Ryland and Hamilton R. Gamble
elected by the people 185 1 for six years; Gamble resigned 1854; Abiel
Leonard elected to fill vacancy of Gamble ; William B. Napton (vacated
by failure to file oath), William Scott and John C. Richardson (resigned),
elected August, 1857, f°r six years; E. B. Ewing, 1859, to ^ Richard-
son's resignation ; Barton Bates appointed 1862 ; W. V. N. Bay appointed
1862; John D. S. Dryden, appointed 1862; Barton Bates, 1863-65; W.
V. N. Bay, elected 1863 ; John D. S. Dryden, elected 1863 ; David Wag-
ner, appointed 1865 ; Wallace L. Lovelace, appointed 1865 ; Nathaniel
Holmes, appointed 1865; Thomas J. C. Fagg, appointed 1866; James
Baker, appointed 1868; David Wagner, elected 1868-70; Philemon
Bliss, 1868-70; Warren Currier, 1868-71 ; Washington Adams, appointed
1 87 1 to fill Currier's place, who resigned; Ephraim B. Ewing, elected
1872; Thomas A. Sherwood, elected 1872; W. B. Napton, appointed
1873, *n place of Ewing, deceased; Edward A. Seins, appointed 1874, in
place of Adams, resigned; Warwick Hough, elected 1874; William B.
Napton, elected 1874-80; John E. Henry, 1876-86; Robert Ray suc-
ceeded William B. Napton in 1880; Elijah H. Norton, appointed in
1876— elected in 1878.
United States Senators. — T. H. Benton, 1820-50; D. Barton, 1820-
30; Alex. Buckner, 1830-33; L. F. Linn, 1833-43; D. R. Atchison,
1843-55; H. S. Geyer, 1851-57; Jas. M. Green, 1857-61; T. Polk, 1857*
63 ; Waldo P. Johnson, 1861 ; R.obt. Wilson, 1861 ; B. Gratz Brown, 1863,
for unexpired term of Johnson; J. B. Henderson, 1863-69; Chas. D.
Drake, 1867-70; Carl Schurz, 1869-75; D. F. Jewett, 1870, in place of
Drake, resigned; F. P. Blair, 1871-77; L. V. Bogy, 1873; F. M. Cock-
rell, 1875-81 ; re-elected 1881 ; Geo. C. Vest, 1879.
Representatives to Congress. — Jno. Scott, 1820-26: Ed. Bates, 1826-
28; Spencer Pettis, 1828-31 ; Wm. H. Ashley, 1831-36; John Bull, 1832-
34; Albert G. Harrison, 1834-39; Jno. Miller, 1836-43; John Jameson.
44
HISTORY OF MISSOURI.
tR 39-44, re-elected 1846 for two years; Jno. C. Edwards, 1840-42; Jas.
M. Hughes, 1842-44; Jas. H.Relfe, 1842-46; Jas. B. Bowlin, 1842-50;
Gustavus M. Boner, 1842-44; Sterling Price, 1844-46; Wm. McDaniel,
1846; Leonard H. Sims, 1844-46; John S. Phelps, 1844-60; Jas. S. Green,
1846-50, re-elected 1856, resigned; Willard P. Hall, 1846-53; Wm. V.
N. Bay, 1848-61; John F. Darby, 1850-53; Gilchrist 'Porter, 1850-57;
John G. Miller, 1850-56 ; Alfred W. Lamb, 1852-54; Thos. H. Benton,
1852-54; Mord&sai Oliver, 1852-57; Jas. J. Lindley, 1852-56; Samuel
Caruthers, 1852-58; Thomas P. Akers, 1855, to fill unexpired term of J.
G. Miller ; Francis P. Blair, Jr., 1856, re-elected i860, resigned ; Thomas
L. Anderson, 1856-1860; James Craig, 1856-60; Samuel H. Woodson,
1856-60; John B. Clark, Sr., 1857-61 ; J. Richard Barrett, i860; John W.
Noel, 1858-63; James S. Rollins, 1860-64; Elijah H. Norton, 1860-63;
John W. Reid, 1860-61; William A. Hall, 1862-64; Thomas L. Price,
1862, in place of Reid, expelled; Henry T. Blow, 1862-66; Sempronius
T. Boyd, elected in 1862, and again in 1868, for two years; Joseph W.
McClurg, 1862-66; Austin A. King, 1862-64; Benjamin F. Loan, 1862-69;
John G. Scott, 1863, in place of Noel, deceased; John Hogan, 1864-66;
Thomas F. Noel, 1864-67; John R. Kelsoe, 1864-66; Robt. T. Van
Horn, 1864-71 ; John F. Benjamin, 1864-71 ; George W. Anderson,
1864-69; William A. Pile, 1866-68; C. A. Newcomb, 1866-68; Joseph E.
Gravely, 1866-68 ; James R. McCormack, 1866-73 ; John H. Stover, 1867,
in place of McClurg, resigned; Erastus Wells, 1868-82; G. A. Finklin-
burg, 1868-71; Samuel S. Burdett, 1868-71; Joel F. Asper, 1868-70;
David P. Dyer, 1868-70; Harrison E. Havens, 1870-75 ; Isaac C. Parker,
1870-75; James G. Blair, 1870-72; Andrew King, 1870-72; Edwin O.
Stannard, 1872-74; William H. Stone, 1872-78; Robert A. Hatcher,
elected 1872; Richard P. Bland, 1872; Thomas Crittenden, 1872-74; Ira
B. Hyde, 1872-74; John B. Clark, 1872-78; John M. Glover, 1872 ; Aylett
H. Buckner, 1872; Edward C. Kerr, 1874-78; Charles H. Morgan, 1874;
John F. Phelps, 1874; B. J. Franklin, 1874; David Rea, 1874; Rezin A.
DeBoet, 1874; Anthony Ittner, 1876; Nathaniel Cole, 1876; Robert A.
Hatcher, 1876-78; R. P. Bland, 1876-78; A. H. Buckner, 1876-78 ; J. B.
Clark, Jr., 1876-78; T. T. Crittenden, 1876-78; B. J. Franklin, 1876-78;
Jno. M. Glover, 1876-78; Robert A. Hatcher, 1876-78; Chas. H. Morgan,
1876-78; L. S. Metcalfe, 1876-78; H. M. Pollard, 1876-78; David Rea,
1876-78; S. L. Sawyer, 1878-80; N. Ford, 1878-82; G. E. Rothwell,
1878-82; John B. Clark, Jr., 1878-82; W. H. Hatch, 1878-82; A. H.
Buckner, 1878-82; M. L. Clardy, 1878-82; R. G. Frost, 1878-82; L. H.
Davis, 1878-82; R. P. Bland, 1878-82; J. R. Waddill, 1878-80; T. Allen,
1880-82; R. Hazeltine, 1880-82; T. M. Rice, 1880-82; R. T. Van Horn,
1880-82,
HISTORY OF MISSOURI.
45
COUNTIES— WHEN ORGANIZED.
Adair .«••• January 29, 1841
Andrew January 29 1841
Atchison ........ January 14, 1845
Audrain ........ December 17, 1836
Barry January 5, 1835
B.irton December 12, 1 835
Bates January 29, 1S41
Benton January 3, 1835
Bollinger March 1, 1851
Boone November 16, 1820
Buchanan February 10, 1839
Butler February 27, 1849
Caldwell ....... December 26, 1836
Callaway November 25 1820
Camden January 29, 1841
Cape Girardeau October 1, 18 1 2
Carroll January 3, 1833
Carter March 10, 1859
Cass. ,......:. September 14, 1835
Cedar February 14 1845
Chariton ....... November 16, 1820
Christian March 8, i860
Clark December 15, 1818
Clay January 2, 1822
Clinton ......... January 15, 1833
Cole November 16, 1820
Cooper December 17, 1818
Crawford January 23, 1829
Dade .......... January 29, 1841
Dallas . December 10, 1844
Daviess December 29, 1836
DeKalb February 25, 1845
Dent February 10, 185 1
Douglas October 19, 1857
Dunklin February 14, 1845
Franklin December 1 1, 1818
Gasconade November 25, 1820
Gentry ......... February 12, 1841
Greene January 2, 1833
Grundy January 2, 1843
Harrison February 14, 1845
Henry December 13, 1834
Hickory February 14, 1845
Holt .......... February 15, 1841
Howard January 23, 1816
Howell March 2, 1857
Iron February 17, 1857
Jackson December 15, 1826
Jasper January 29, 1841
Jefferson December 8, 1818
Tohnson . December 13, 1834
Knox February 14, 1845
Laclede February 24, 1849
Lafayette November 16, 1820
Lawrence February 25, 1845
Lewis January 2, 1833
Lincoln December 14, 181 8
Linn January 7, 1837
Livingston January 6, 1837
McDonald March 3, 1849
Macon January 6, 1837
Madison December 14, 1818
Maries March 2, 1855
Marion December 23, 1826
Mercer February 14, 1845
Miller February 6, 1837
Mississippi February 14, 1845
Moniteau . February 14, 1845
Monroe January 6, 1831
Montgomery December 14, 1818
Morgan ......... January 5, 1833
New Madrid October I, 1812
Newton December 31, 1838
Nodaway February 14, 1845
Oregon February 14 1845
Osage January 29 1841
Ozark ......... January 29, 1841
Pemiscot February 19, 1861
Perry November 16, 1820
Pettis January 26, 1833
Phelps ........ November 13, 1857
Pike December 14, 1818
Platte December 31, 1838
Polk March 13. 1835
Pulaski December 15, 1818
Putnam ........ February 28, 1845
Ralls ........ November 16, 1820
Randolph ........ January 22, 1829
Ray ......... November 16, 1820
Reynolds February 25, 1845
Ripley January 5, 1833
St. Charles . October 1, 1812
St. Clair . . .• January 29, 1841
St. Francois December 19, 1821
Ste. Genevieve October 1, 1812
St. Louis October 1, 1812
Saline . November 2$, 1820
Schuyler February 14, 1845
Scotland January 29, 1841
Scott December 28, 1821
Shannon ........ January 29, 1841
Shelby January 2, 1835
46
HISTORY OF MISSOURI.
COUNTIES— when ORGANIZED.— Continued.
Stoddard January 2, 1835
Stone February 10, 185 1
Sullivan February 16, 1845
Taney January 16, 1837
Texas February 14, 1835
Vernon February 17, 1851
Warren January 5, 1833
Washington August 2.1, 1813
Wayne December 11, 1818
Webster March 3,1855
Worth February 8, 1861
Wright. •••«••• .January 29, 1S41
CHAPTER VIII.
EARLY MILITARY RECORD.
BLACK HAWK WAR-MORMON DIFFICULTIES-FLORIDA WAR— MEXICAN WAR.
On the 14th day of May, 1832, a bloody engagement took place
between the regular forces of the United States, and a part of the Sacs,
Foxes and Winnebago Indians, commanded by Black Hawk and
Keokuk, near Dixon's Ferry, in Illinois.
The Governor (John Miller) of Missouri, fearing these savages would
invade the soil of his state, ordered Major-General Richard Gentry to
raise one thousand volunteers for the defense of the frontier. Five com-
panies were at once raised in Boone County, and in Callaway, Mont-
gomery, St. Charles, Lincoln, Pike, Marion, Ralls, Clay and Monroe
other companies were raised.
Two of these companies, commanded respectively by Captain John
Jaimison, of Callaway, and Captain David M. Hickman, of Boone County,
were mustered into service in July for thirty days, and put under com-
mand of Major Thomas W. Conyers.
This detachment, accompanied by General Gentry, arrived at Fort
Pike on the 15th of July, 1832. Finding that the Indians had not crossed
the Mississippi into Missouri, General Gentry returned to Columbia,
leaving the fort in charge of M-ajor Conyers. Thirty days having expired,
the command under Major Conyers was relieved by two other com-
panies under Captains Sinclair Kirtley, of Boone, and Patrick Ewing,
of Callaway. This detachment was marched to Fort Pike by Col. Austin
A. King, who conducted the two companies under Major Conyers home.
Major Conyers was left in charge of the fort, where he remained until
September following, at which time the Indian troubles, so far as Mis-
souri was concerned, having all subsided, the frontier forces were mus-
tered out of service.
Black Hawk continued the war in Iowa and Illinois, and was finally
defeated and captured in 1833.
HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 47
MORMON DIFFICULTIES.
In 1832, Joseph Smith, the leader of the Mormons^ and the chosen
prophet and apostle, as he claimed, of the Most High, came with many
followers to Jackson County, Missouri, where they located and. entered;
several thousand acres of land.
The object of his coming so far west— upon the very outskirts of
civilization at that time — was to more securely establish his church,,
and the more effectively to instruct his followers in its peculiar tenets
and practices.
Upon the present town site of Independence the Mormons located
their "Zion" and gave it the name of "The New Jerusalem." They pub
lished hei»e the Evening Star, and made themselves generally obnox-
ious to the Gentiles, who were then in the minority, by their denunciatory
articles through their paper, their clannishness and their polygamous-
practices.
Dreading the demoralizing influence of a paper which seemed to be
inspired only with hatred and malice toward them, the Gentiles threw
the press and type into the Missouri river, tarred and feathered one of
their bishops, and otherwise gave the Mormons and their leaders to
understand that they must conduct themselves in an. entirely different
manner if they wished to be let alone.
After the destruction of their paper and press they became furiously
incensed, and sought many opportunities for retaliation. Matters con-
tinued in an uncertain condition until the 31st of October, 1833, when a
deadly conflict occurred near Westport, in which two Gentiles and one
Mormon were killed.
On the 2d of November following the Mormons were overpowered,
and compelled to lay down their arms and agree to leave the country
with their families by January 1st, on the condition that the owner
would be paid for his printing press.
Leaving Jackson County, they crossed the Missouri and located in
Clay, Carroll, Caldwell and other counties, and selected in Caldwell
County a town site, which they called "Far West," and where they
entered more land for their future homes.
Through the influence of their missionaries, who were exerting
themselves in the East and in different portions of Europe, converts had
constantly flocked to their standard, and "Far West" and other Mormon
settlements rapidly prospered.
In 1837 they commenced the erection of a magnificent temple, but
never finished it. As their settlements increased in numbers they
became bolder in their practices and deeds of lawlessness.
During the summer of 1838 two of their leaders settled in the town
of DeWitt, on the Missouri River, having purchased the land, from an
48 HISTORY OF MISSOURI.
Illinois merchant. DeWitt was in Carroll County, and a good point
from which to forward goods and immigrants to their town — Far West.
Upon its being ascertained that these parties were Mormon leaders,
the Gentiles called a public meeting, which was addressed by some of
the prominent citizens of the county. Nothing, however, was done at
this meeting, but at a subsequent meeting, which was held a few days
afterward, a committee of citizens was appointed to notify Colonel
Hinkle (one of the Mormon leaders at DeWitt), what they intended to do.
Col. Hinkle, upon being notified by this committee, became indig-
nant, and threatened extermination to all who should attempt to molest
him or the Saints.
In anticipation of trouble, and believing that the Gentiles would
attempt to force them from DeWitt, Mormon recruits flocked to the town
from every direction, and pitched their tents in and around the town in
great numbers.
The Gentiles, nothing daunted, planned an attack upon this encamp-
ment, to take place on the 21st day of September, 1838, and, accordingly,
one hundred and fifty men bivouacked near the town on that day. A
conflict ensued, but nothing serious occurred.
The Mormons evacuated their works and fled to some, log houses,
where they could the more successfully resist the Gentiles, \vho had in
the meantime returned to their camp to await reinforcemencs. Troops
from Howard, Ray and other counties came to their assistance, and
increased their number to five hundred men.
Congreve Jackson was chosen Brigadier General ; Ebenezer Price,
Colonel ; Singleton Vaughn, Lieutenant Colonel, and Sarchel Woods,
Major. After some days of discipline, this brigade prepared for an
assault, but before the attack was commenced Judge James Earickson
and William F. Dunnica, influential citizens of Howard County, asked
permission of General Jackson to let them try and adjust the difficulties
without any bloodshed.
It was finally agreed that Judge Earickson should propose to the
Mormons that, if they would pay for all the cattle they had killed
belonging to the citizens, and load their wagons during the night and be
ready to move by ten o'clock next morning, and make no further attempt
to settle in Howard County, the citizens would purchase at first cost their
lots in DeWitt and one or two adjoining tracts of land.
Col. Hinkle, the leader of the Mormons, at first refused all attempts
to settle the difficulties in this way, but finally agreed to the proposition.
In accordance therewith, the Mormons, without further delay, loaded
up their wagons for the town of Far West, in Caldwell County. Whether
the terms of the agreement were ever carried out on the part of the cit-
izens, is not known.
HISTORY OF MISSOURI 49
The Mormons had doubtless suffered much and in many ways — the
result of their own acts — but their trials and sufferings were not at an
end.
In 1838 the discord between the citizens and Mormons became so
great that Governor Boggs issued a proclamation ordering Major General
David R. Atchison to call the militia of his division to enforce the laws.
He called out a part of the First Brigade of the Missouri state militia,
under command of General A. W. Doniphan, who proceeded to the seat
of war. General John B. Clark, of Howard County, was placed in com-
mand of the militia.
The Mormon forces numbered about 1,000 men, and were led by G.
W. Hinkle. The first engagement occurred at Crooked River, where
one Mormon was killed. The principal fight took place at Haughn's
Mills, where eighteen Mormons were killed and the balance captured,
some of them being killed after they had surrendered. Only one militia-
man was wounded.
In the month of October, 1838, Joe Smith surrendered the town of
Far West to General Doniphan, agreeing to his conditions, viz : That
they should deliver up their arms, surrender their prominent leaders for
trial, and the remainder of the Mormons should, with their families,
leave the State. Indictments were found against a number of these
leaders, including Joe Smith, who, while being taken to Boone County
for trial, made his escape, and was afterward, in 1844, killed at Carthage,
Illinois, with his brother Hyrum.
FLORIDA WAR.
In September, 1837, the Secretary of War issued a requisition on
Governor Boggs, of Missouri, for six hundred volunteers, for service in
Florida against the Seminole Indians, with whom the Creek nation had
made common cause under Osceola.
The first regiment was chiefly raised in Boone County by Colonel
Richard Gentry, of which he was elected Colonel ; John W. Price, of
Howard County, Lieutenant Colonel ; Harrison H. Hughes, also of
Howard, Major. Four companies of the Second regiment were raised
and attached to the First. Two of these companies were composed of
Delaware and Osage Indians.
October 6, 1837, Colonel Gentry's regiment left Columbia for the
seat of war, stopping on the way at Jefferson barracks, where they were
mustered into service.
Arriving at Jackson barracks, New Orleans, they were from thence
transported in brigs across the Gulf to Tampa Bay, Florida. General
Zachary Taylor, who then commanded in Florida, ordered Colonel
Gentry to march to Okee-cho-bee Lake, one hundred and thirty-five
miles inland by the route traveled. Having reached the Kissimmee
50 HISTORY OF MISSOURI.
River, seventy miles distant, a bloody battle ensued in which Colonel
Gentry was killed. The Missourians, though losing their gallant leader,
continued the fight until the Indians were totally routed, leaving many
of their dead and wounded on the field. There being no further service
required of the Missourians, they returned to their homes in 1838.
MEXICAN WAR.
Soon after Mexico declared war against the United States, on the
8th and 9th of May, 1846, the battles of Palo Alto and Resaca de la
Palma were fought. Great excitement prevailed throughout the country.
In none of her sister states however, did the fires of patriotism burn
more intensely than in Missouri. Not waiting for the call for volunteers,
the "St. Louis Legion" hastened to the field of conflict. The Legion
was commanded by Colonel A. R. Easton. During the month of May,
1846, Governor Edwards, of Missouri, called for voluoteers to join the
"Army of the West," an expedition to the Santa Fe — under command
of General Stephen W. Kearny.
Fort Leavenworth was the appointed rendezvous for the volunteers.
By the 18th of June, the full complement of companies to compose the
First Regiment had arrived from Jackson, Lafayette, Clay, Saline, Frank-
lin, Cole, Howard and Callaway Counties. Of this regiment A. W. Don-
iphan was made Colonel ; C. F. Ruff, Lieutenant-Colonel, and William
Gilpin, Major. The battalion of light artillery from St. Louis, was com-
manded by Captains R. A. Weightman and A. W. Fischer, with Major
M. L. Clark as field officer; battalions of infantry from Platte and Cole
Counties, commanded by Captains Murphy and W. Z. Augney, respect-
ively, and the " Laclede Rangers," from St. Louis, by Captain Thomas B.
Hudson, aggregating, all told, from Missouri, 1,658 men. In the summer
of 1846 Hon. Sterling Price resigned his seat in Congress, and raised one
mounted regiment, one mounted extra battalion, and one extra battalion
of Mormon infantry to reinforce the "Army of the West." Mr. Price was
made Colonel, and D. D. Mitchell, Lieutenant-Colonel.
In August, 1847, Governor Edwards made another requisition for one
thousand men, to consist of infantry. The regiment was raised at once.
John Dougherty, of Clay County, was chosen Colonel, but before the regi-
ment marched the President countermanded the order.
A company of mounted volunteers was raised in Ralls County, com-
manded by Captain Wm. T. Lalfland. Conspicuous among the engage-
ments in which the Missouri volunteers participated in Mexico we're
the battles of Brazito, Sacramento, Canada, El Embudo, Taos and Santa
Cruz de Rosales. The forces from Missouri were mustered out in 1848,
and will ever be remembered in the history of the Mexican war, for
"A thousand glorious actions that might claim
Triumphant laurels, and immortal fame."
HISTORY OF Ml SOURL 51
CHAPTER IX.
CIVIL WAR IN MISSOURI.
ffOKT SUMTER FIRED UPON-CALL TOR 75,000 MEN— GOV. JACKSON REFUSES TO FUR-
NISH A MAN— U. S. ARSENAL AT LIBERTY, MO., SEIZED— PROCLAMATION OF GOV-
ERNOR JACKSON — GENERAL ORDER NO. 7- LEGISLATURE CONVENES — CAMP
JACKSON Or GANIZED— STERLING PRICE APPOINTED MAJOR-GENERAL— FROST'S
LETTER TO 1 YON— LVON'S LETTER TO FROST— SURRENDER OF CAMP JACKSON-
PROCLAMATION OF GEN HARNEY-CONFERENCE BETWEEN PRICE AND HARNEY-
HARNEY SUl'ERSEDED BY LYON— SECOND CONFERENCE— GOV. JACKSON BURNS
THE BRIDGES BKHIND HIM -PROCLAMATION OF GOV. JACKSON— GEN. BLAIR TAKES
POSSESSION OF JEFFERSON CITY— PROCLAMATION OF LYON— LYON AT SPRINGFIELD
—STATE OFFICES DECLARED VACANT— GEN. FREMONT ASSUMES COMMAND-PRO-
CLAMATION OF LIEUT. GOV. REYNOLDS — PROCLAMATION OF JEFF. THOMPSON
AND GOV. JACKSON— DEATH OF GEN. LYON— SUCCEEDED BY STURGIS— PROCLAMA-
TION OF M'CULLOCH AND GAMBLE — MARTIAL LAW DECLARED— SECOND PRO-
CLAMATION OF JEFF. THOMPSON— PRESIDENT MODIFIES FREMONT'S ORDER— FRE-
MONT RELIEVED BY HUNTER— PROCLAMATION OF PRICE— HUNTER'S ORDER OF
ASSESSMENT — HUNTER DECLARES MARTIAL LAW — ORDER RELATING TO NEWS-
PAPERS-HALLECK SUCCEEDS HUNTER-HALLECK'S ORDER 81-SIMILAR ORDER BY
HALLECK -BOONE COUNTY STANDARD CONFISCATED-EXECUTION OF PRISONERS
AT MACON AND PALMYRA— GEN. EWING'S ORDER NO. 11— GEN. ROSECRANS TAKES
COMMAND— MASSACRE AT CENTRALIA-DEATH OF BILL ANDERSON— GEN. DODGE
SUCCEEDS GEN. ROSECRANS-LIST Or BATTLES.
■
M Lastly stood war—
With visage grim, stern looks, and blackly hued,
****** *
Ah ! why will kings forget that they are men ?
And men that they are brethren ? Why delight
In human sacrifice ? Why burst the ties
Ot nature, that should knit their souls together
In one bond of amity and love?"
Fort Sumter wss fired upon April 12, 1861. On April 15th, President
Lincoln issued a proclamation, calling for 75,000 men, from the militia
of the several states, to suppress combinations in the Southern States
therein named. Simultaneously therewith the secretary of war sent a
telegram to all the governors of the states, excepting those mentioned
in the proclamation, requesting them to detail a. certain number of
militia to serve for three months, Missouri's quota being four regiments.
In response to this telegram Gov. Jackson sent the following answer:
Executive Department of Missouri,
Jefferson City, April 17, 1861.
To the Hon. Simon Cameron,
Secretary of War, Washington, D. C:
Sir: Your dispatch of the 15th inst., making a call on Missouri
for four regiments of men for immediate service, has been received.
There can be, I apprehend, no doubt but thase men are intended to form
a part of the President's army to make war upon the people of the
52 HISTORY OF MISSOURI.
seceded states. Your requisition, in my judgment, is illegal, unconsti-
tutional, and cannot be complied with. Not one man will the State of
Missouri furnish to carry on such an unholy war.
C. F. JACKSON,
Governor of Missouri,
April 21, 1861. U. S. Arsenal at Liberty was seized by order of
Governor Jackson.
April 22, 1861. Governor Jackson issued a proclamation convening
the Legislature of Missouri in May following, in extra session, to take
into consideration the momentuous issues, which were presented, and
the attitude to be assumed by the state in the impending struggle.
On the 22nd of April, 1861, the Adjutant-General of Missouri issued
the following military order :
Headquarters Adjutant-General's Office, Mo.,
Jefferson City, April 22, 1861.
{General Order No. 7.)
I. To attain a greater degree of efficiency and perfection in organi-
zation and discipline, the commanding officers of-th: several military
districts in this state, having four or more legally erg mized companies
therein, whose armories are within fifteen miles of eacn other, will assem-
ble their respective commands at some place to be by them severally
designated, on the 3rd of May, and to go into an encampment for a
period of six days as provided by law. Captains of companies not organ-
ized into battalions, will report the strength of their companies immedi-
ately to these headquarters, and await further orders.
II. The quartermaster-general will procure and issue to quarter-
masters of districts, for these commands not now provided for, all nec-
essary tents and camp equipage, to enable the commanding officers
thereof to carry the foregoing orders into effect.
III. The Light Battery now attached to the Southwest Battalion,
and one company of mounted riflemen, including all officers and soldiers
belonging to the First District, will proceed forthwith to St. Louis and
report to Gen. D. M. Frost for duty. The remaining companies of said
battalion will be disbanded for the purpose of assisting in the organiza-
tion of companies upon that frontier. The details in the execution of
the foregoing are intrusted to Lieutenant-Colonel John S. Bowen, com-
manding the battalion.
IV. The strength, organization and equipment of the several com-
panies in the districts will be reported at once to these headquarters,
and district inspectors will furnish all information which may be servic-
able in ascertaining the condition of state forces.
By order of the Governor.
WARWICK HOUGH,
Adjutant-General of Missouri.
May 2, 1861. The Legislature convened in extra session. Many
acts were passed among which was one to authorize the Governor to
purchase or lease David Ballantine's foundry, at Boonville, for the man-
ufacture of arms and munitions of war ; to authorize the governor to
HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 53
appoint one major-general ; to authorize the governor, when in his opinion
the security and welfare of the state required it, to take possession
of the railroad and telegraph lines of the state ; to provide for the organ-
ization, government and support of the military forces ; to borrow one
million of dollars to arm and equip the militia of the state to repel
invasion and protect the lives and property of the people. An act was
also passed creating a "Military Fund," to consist o( all the money then
in the treasury or that might thereafter be received from the one-tenth
of one per cent, on the hundred dollars, levied by act of November, 1857,
to complete certain railroads ; also the proceeds of a tax of fifteen cents
on the hundred dollars of the assessed value of the taxable property of
the several counties in the state, and the proceeds of the two mill tax,
which had been theretofore appropriated for educational purposes.
May 3, 1861. "Camp Jackson" was organized.
May 10, 1861. Sterling Price appointed major-general of state
guard.
May 10, 1861. General Frost, commanding "Camp Jackson,"
addressed General N# Lyon, as follows:
Headquarters Camp Jackson, Missouri Militia.
May 10, 1861.
Capt. N. Lyon, Commanding United States Troops in and about St.
Louis Arsenal:
Sir : — I am constantly in receipt of information that you contem-
plate an attack upon my camp, whilst I understand that you are impressed
with the idea that an attack upon the arsenal and United States troops
is intended on the part of the Militia of Missouri. I am greatly at a
loss to know what could justify you in attacking citizens of the United
States, who are in lawful performance of their duties, devolving upon
them under the constitution in organizing and instructing the militia of
the state in obedience to her laws, and, therefore, have been disposed to
doubt the correctness of the information I have received.
I would be glad to know from you personally whether there is any
truth in the statements that are constantly pouring into my ears. So
far as regards any hostility being intended toward the United States,
or its property or representatives by any portion of my command, or, as
far as I can learn, (and I think I am fully informed,) of any other part of
the state forces, I can positively say that the idea has never been enter-
tained. On the contrary, prior to your taking command of the arsenal,
I proffered to Mayor Bell, then in command of the very few troops con-
stituting its guard, the services of myself and all my command, and, if
necessary, the whole power of the state, to protect the United States
in the full possession of all her property. Upon General Harney taking
command of this department, I made the some proffer of services to him,
and authorized his Adjutant General, Captain Williams, to communicate
the fact that such had been done to the War Department. I have had
no occasion since to change any of the views I entertained at the time,
neither of my own volition nor through the orders of my constitutional
commander.
54 HISTORY OF MISSOURI.
I trust that after this explicit statement that we may be able, by
fully understanding each other, to keep far from our borders the misfor-
tunes which so unhappily affect our common country.
This communication will be handed you by Colonel Bowen, my
Chief of Staff, who will be able to explain anything not fully set forth in
the foregoing.
I am, sir, very respectfully your obedient servant,
iRIGADIER GENERAL D. M. FROST,
Commanding Camp Jackson, M. V. M.
May 10, 1861. General Lyon sent the following to General Frost :
Headquarters United States Troops,
St. Louis, Mo., May 10, 1861.
General D. M. Frost, Commanding Camp Jackson:
SrR : — Your command is regarded as evidently hostile toward the
Government of the United States.
It is, for the most part, made up of those Secessionists who have
openly avowed their hostility to the general government, and have been
plotting at the seizure of its property and the overthrow of its authority.
You are openly in communication with the so-called Southern Confed-
eracy, which is now at war with the United States, and you are receiv-
ing at your camp, from the said Confederacy and under its flag, large
supplies of the material of war, most of which is known to be the prop-
erty of the United States. These extraordinary preparations plainly
indicate none other than the well-known purpose of the Governor of this
state, under whose orders you are acting, and whose communication to
the Legislature has just been responded to by that body in the most
unparalleled legislation, having in direct view hostilities to the general
government and co-operation with its enemies.
In view of these considerations, and of your failure to disperse in
obedience to the proclamation of the President, and of the imminent
necessities of state policy and warfare, and the obligations imposed upon
me by instructions from Washington, it is my duty to demand, and I do
hereby demand of you an immediate surrender of your command, with
no other conditions than that all persons surrendering under this com-
mand shall be humanely and kindly treated. Believing myself prepared
to enforce this demand, one-half hour's time before doing so will be
allowed for your compliance therewith.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
N. LYON,
Capt. 2d Infantry, Commanding Troops.
May 10, 1861. Camp Jackson surrendered and prisoners all released
excepting Capt. Emmet McDonald, who refused to subscribe the parole.
May 12, 1861. Brigadier General Wm. S. Harney issued a procla-
mation to the people of Missouri, saying, "he would carefully abstain
from the exercise of any unnecessary powers," and only use " the military
force stationed in this district in the last resort to preserve peace."
M.Ly 14, 1861. General Harney issued a second proclamation.
HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 55
May 21, 1 86 1. General Harney held a conference with General
Sterling Price, of the Missouri State Guards.
May 31, 1 86 1. General Harney superseded by General Lyon.
June ii, 1861 A second conference was held between the national
and state authorities in St. Louis, which resulted in nothing.
June 11, 1861. Governor Jackson left St. Louis for Jefferson City,
burning the railroad bridges behind him, and cutting telegraph wires.
June 12, 1861. Governor Jackson issued a proclamation calling
into active service 50,000 militia, " to repel invasion, protect life, prop-
erty, etc."
June 15, 1861. Colonel F P. Blair took possession of the state capi-
tal, Governor Jackson, General Price and other officers having left on
the 13th of June for Boonville.
June 17, 1861. Battle of Boonville took place between the forces of
General Lyon and Colonel John S. Marmaduke.
June 18, 1861. General Lyon issued a proclamation to the people
of Missouri.
July 5, 1 861. Battle at Carthage between the forces of Genera]
Sigel and Governor Jackson.
July 6, 1861. General Lyon reached Springfield.
July 22, 1861. State convention met and declared the offices of
Governor, Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of State vacated.
July 26, 1 861. General John C. Fremont assumed command of the
Western Department, with headquarters in St. Louis.
July 31, 1 86 1. Lieutenant Governor Thomas C. Reynolds issued a
proclamation at New Madrid.
August 1, 1861. General Jeff. Thompson issued a proclamation at
Bloomfield.
August 2, 1861. Battle of Dug Springs, between Captain Steele's
forces and General Rains.
August 5, 1 86 1. Governor Jackson issued a proclamation at New
Madrid.
August 5, 1861. Battle of Athens.
August 10, 1861. Battle of Wilson's Creek, between the forces
under General Lyon and General McCulloch. In this engagemeet Gen-
eral Lyon was killed. General Sturgis succeeded General Lyon.
August 12, 1861. McCulloch issued a proclamation, and soon left
Missouri.
August 20, 1861. General Price issued a proclamation.
August 24, 1861. Governor Gamble issued a proclamation calling
for 32,000 men for six months, to protect the property and lives of the
citizens of the state.
August 30, 1861. General Fremont declared martial law, and
declared that the slaves of all persons who should thereafter take an
active part with the enemies of the Government should be free.
56 HISTORY OF MISSOURI.
September 2, 1861. General Jeff. Thompson issued a proclamation
in response to Fremont's proclamation.
September 7, 1861. Battle at Drywood Creek.
September II, 1861. President Lincoln modified the clause in Gen-
eral Fremont's declaration of martial law, in reference to the confiscation
of property and liberation of slaves.
September 12, 1861. General Price begins the attack at Springfield
on Colonel Mulligan's forces. '
September 20, 1861. Colonel Mulligan with 2,640 men surrendered.
October 25, 1861. Second battle at Springfield.
November 2, 1861. General Fremont succeeded by General David
Hunter.
November 7, *86i. General Grant attacked Belmont.
November 9, 1861. General Hunter succeeded by General Halleck,
who took command on the 19th of same month, with headquarters in St.
Louis.
November 27, 1861. General Price issued proclamation calling for
50,000 men, at Neosho, Missouri.
December 12, 1861. General Hunter issued his order of assessment
upon certain wealthy citizens in St. Louis, for feeding and clothing Union
refugees.
December 23-25, 1861. Declared martial law in St. Louis and the
country adjacent, and covering all the railroad lines.
March 6, 1862. Battle at Pea Ridge between the forces under Gen-
erals Curtis and Van Dorn.
January 8, 1862. Provost Marshal Farrar, of St. Louis, issued the
following order in reference to newspapers :
Office of the Provost Marshal,
General Department of Missouri,
St. Louis, January 8, 1862.
{General Order No. 10.)
It is hereby ordered that from and after this date the publishers of
newspapers in the State of Missouri, (St. Louis city papers excepted),
furnish to this office, immediately upon publication, one copy of each
issue, for inspection. A failure to comply with this order will render the
newspaper liable to suppression.
Local Provost Marshals will furnish the proprietors with copies of
this order, and attend to its immediate enforcement.
BERNARD G. FARRAR,
Provost Marshal General.
January 26, 1862. General Halleck issued order (No. 18) which for*
bade, among other things, the display of Secession flags in the hands of
women or on carriages, in the vicinity of the military prison in McDow-
ell's College, the carriages to be confiscated and the offending women to
be arrested.
HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 57
February 4, 1862. General Halleck issued another order similar to
Order No. 18, to railway companies, and to the professors and directors
of the State University at Columbia, forbidding the funds of the institu-
tion to be used "to teach treason or to instruct traitors."
February 20, 1862. Special Order No. 120 convened a military com-
mission, which sat in Columbia, March following, and tried Edmund J.
Ellis, of Columbia, editor and proprietor of the Boone County Standard,
for the publication of information for the benefit of the enemy, and
encouraging resistance to the United States Government. Ellis was
found guilty, was banished during the war from Missouri, and his print-
ing materials confiscated and sold.
April, 1862. General Halleck left for Corinth, Mississippi, leaving
General Schofield in command.
June, 1862. Battle at Cherry Grove between the forces under
Colonel Joseph C. Porter and Colonel H. S. Lipscomb.
June, 1862. Battle at Pierce's Mill between the forces under Major
John Y. Clopper and Colonel Porter.
July 22, 1862. Battle at Florida.
July 28, 1862. Battle at Moore's Mill.
August 6, 1862. Battle near Kirksville
August II, 1862. Battle at Independence.
August 16, 1862. Battle at Lone Jack.
September 13, 1862. Battle at Newtonia.
September 25, 1862. Ten Confederate prisoners were executed at
Macon by order of General Merrill.
October 18, 1862. Ten Confederate prisoners executed at Palmyra
by order of General McNeill.
January 8, 1863. Battle at Springfield between the foces of General
Marmaduke and General E. B. Brown.
April 26, 1863. Battle at Cape Girardeau.
August — , 1863. General Jeff. Thompson captured at Pocahontas,
Arkansas, with his staff.
August 25, 1863. General Thomas Ewing issued his celebrated
Order No. 11, at Kansas City, Missouri, which is as follows:
Headquarters District of the Border,
Kansas City, Mo., August 25, 1863.
(" General Order No. //.")
First. — All persons living in Cass, Jackson and Bates Counties, Mis-
souri, and in that part of Vernon included in this district, except those
living within one mile of the limits of Independence, Hickman's Mills,
Pleasant Hill and Harrisonville, and except those in that part of Kaw
Township, Jackson County, north of Brush Creek and west of the Big
Blue, embracing Kansas City and Westport, are hereby ordered to remove
from their present places of residence within fifteen days from the date
hereoi
58 HISTORY OF MISSOURI.
Those who, within that time, establish their loyalty to the satisfac-
tion of the commanding officer of the military station nearest their
present places of residence, will receive from him certificates stating the
fact of their loyalty, and the names of the witnesses by whom it can be
shown. All who receive such certificate will be permitted to remove to
any military station in this district, or to any part of the State of Kansas,
except the counties on the eastern borders of the state. All others shall
remove out of this district. Officers commanding companies and detach-
ments serving in the counties named, will see that this paragraph is
promptly obeyed.
Second. — All grain and hay in the field, or under shelter, in the dis-
trict from which the inhabitants are required to remove, within reach of
military stations, after the 9th day of September next, will be taken to
such stations and turned over to the proper officer there, and report of
the amount so turned over made to district headquarters, specifying the
names of all loyal owners and the amount of such produce taken from
them. All grain and hay found in such district after the 9th day of Sep-
tember next, not convenient to such stations, will be destroyed.
Third. — The provisions of General Order No. 10, from these head-
quarters, will at once be vigorously executed by officers commanding in
the parts of the district, and at stations not subject to the operations of
paragraph First of this Order — and especially in the towns of Independ-
ence, Westport and Kansas City.
Fourth — Paragraph 3, General Order No. 10, is revoked as to all who
have borne arms against the government in the district since August 20,
1863.
By order of Brigadier-General Ewing.
H. HANNAHS, Adjutant.
October 12-13, 1863. Battle of Arrow Creek.
January, 1864. General Rosecrans takes command of the depart-
ment.
September, 1864. Battle at Pilot Knob, Harrison and Little Mor-
ceau River.
September 27, 1864. Massacre at Centralia, by Captain William
Anderson.
October 5, 1864. Battle at Prince's Ford and James Gordon's farm.
October 15, 1864. Battle at Glasgow.
October 20, 1864. Battle at Little Blue Creek.
October 27, 1864. Capt. Anderson killed.
December — , 1864. General Rosecrans relieved, and General
Dodge appointed to succeed him.
Nothing occurred specially, of a military character, in the state,
after December, 1864. We have, in the main, given the facts as they
occurred, without comment or entering into details. Many of the
minor incidents and skirmishes of the war have been omitted because
of our limited space.
It is utterly impossible, at this date, to give the names and dates of
all the battles fought in Missouri during the civil war. It will be found,
HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 59
however, that the list given below, which has been arranged for conven-
ience, contains the prominent battles and skirmishes which took place
within the State :
Potosi, May 14, 1861.
Booneville, June 17, 1861.
Carthage, July 5, 1861.
Monroe Station, July 10, 1861.
Overton's Run, July 17, 1861.
Dug Spring, August 2, 1861.
Wilson's Creek, August 9, 1861.
Athens, August 5, 1861.
Moreton, August 20, 1861
Bennett's Mills, September — , 1861.
Dry wood Creek, September 7, 1861.
Norfolk, September 10, 1861.
Lexington, September 12-20, 1861.
Blue Mills Landing, September 17, l86l*
Glasgow Mistake, September 20, 1861.
Osceola, September 25, 1861.
Shanghai, October 13, 1861.
Lebanon, October 13, 1861.
Linn Creek, October 15, 1861.
Big River Bridge, October 15, 186L
Fredericktown, October 21, 1861.
Springfield, October 25, 1861.
Belmont, November 7, 1861.
Piketon, November 8, 1861.
Little Blue, November 10, 1861.
Clark's Station, November 11, 1861.
Zion Church, December 28, 1861.
Silver Creek, January 15, 1862.
New Madrid, February 28, 1862.
Pea Ridge, March 6, 1862.
Neosho, April 22, 1862.
Rose Hill, July 10, 1862.
Chariton River, July 30, 1862.
Cherry Grove, June — , 1862.
Pierce's Mill, June — , 1862.
Florida, July 22, 1862.
Moore's Mill, July 28, 1862.
Kirksville, August 6, 1862.
Compton's Ferry, August 8, 1862.
Yellow Creek, August 13, 1862,
60 HISTORY OF MISSOURI.
Independence, August II, 1862.
Lone Jack, August 16, 1862.
Newtonia, September 13, 1862.
Springfield, January 8, 1863.
Cape Girardeau, April 29, 1863.
Arrow Rock, October 12 and 13, 1863.
Pilot Knob, September — , 1864.
Harrison, September — , 1864
Moreau River, October 7, 1864.
Prince's Ford, October 5, 1864.
Glasgow, October 15, 1864.
Little Blue Creek, October 20, 1864.
Albany, October 27, 1864.
Near Rocheport, September 23, 1864,
Centralia, September 27, 1864.
CHAPTER X.
AGRICULTURE AND MATERIAL WEALTH.
MISSOURI AS AN AGRICULTURAL STATE— THE DIFFERENT CROPS-LIVE STOCK- HQI&tfr
MULES-MILCH COWS-OXEN AND OTHER CATTLE— SHEEP- HOGS— COMPARISONS-
MISSOURI ADAPTED TO LIVE STOCK— COTTON— BROOM-CORN AND OTHER PRO?
DUCTS- FRUITS — BERRIES— GRAPES — RAILROADS— FIRST NEIGH OF THE " IROH
HORSE" IN MISSOURI— NAMES OF RAILROADS— MANUFACTURES— GREAT BRIDGE
AT ST. LOUIS.
Agriculture is the greatest among all the arts of man, as it is the
first in supplying his necessities. It favors and strengthens population ;
it creates and maintains manufactures ; gives employment to navigation,
and furnishes materials to commerce. It animates every species of indus-
try, and opens to nations the safest channels of wealth. It is the strong-
est bond of well-regulated society, the surest basis of internal peace, and
the natural associate of correct morals. Among all the occupations and
professions of life there is none more honorable, none more independent
and none more conducive to health and happiness.
"In ancient times the sacred plow employ' d
The kings, and awful fathers of mankind ;
And some, with whom compared, your insect tribes
Are but the beings of a summer's day,
Have held the scale of empire, ruled the storm
Of mighty war with unwearied hand,
Disdaining little delicacies, seized
The plow and greatly independent livedo"
HISTORY OF MISSOURL 6l
As an agricultural region, Missouri is not surpassed by any state in
the Union. It is indeed the farmer's kingdom, where he always reaps
an abundant harvest. The soil, in many portions of the state, has an
open, flexible structure, quickly absorbs the most excessive rains, and
retains moisture with great tenacity. This being the case it is not so
easily affected by drouth. The prairies are covered with sweet, luxuri-
ant grass, equally good for grazing and hay ; grass not surpassed by the
Kentucky blue grass — the best of clover and timothy in growing and
fattening cattle. This grass is now as full of life-giving nutriment as it
was when cropped by the buffalo, the elk, the antelope and the deer,
and costs the herdsman nothing.
No state or territory has a more complete or rapid system of nat-
ural drainage, or a more abundant supply of pure, fresh water, than
Missouri. Both man and beast may slake their thirst from a thousand
perennial fountains, which gush in limpid streams from the hillsides and
wend their way through verdant valleys and along smiling prairies,
varying in size as they onward flow, from the diminutive brooklet to the
giant river.
Here nature has generously bestowed her attractions of climate,
soil and scenery to please and gratify man while earning his bread in
the sweat of his brow. Being thus munificiently endowed, Missouri
offers superior inducements to the farmer, and bids him enter her broad
domain and avail himself of her varied resources.
We present here a table showing the product of each principal crop
in Missouri for 1878.
Indian Corn •*••• 93,062,000 bushels
Wheat 20,196000 "
Rye 732,000 ««
Oats 19,584 000 "
Buckwheat 46,400 *»
Potatoes 5,415,000 u
Tobacco 23023,000 pounds
Hay 1,620,000 tons
There were 3,522,000 acres in corn; wheat, 1,836,000; rye, 48,800;
oats, 640,000 ; buckwheat, 2,900 ; potatoes, 72,200 ; tobacco, 29,900 ; hay;
850,000. Value of each crop: corn, $24,196,224; wheat, $13,531,320;
rye, $300,120 ; oats, $3,325,120 ; buckwheat, $24,128 ; potatoes, $2,057,-
700; tobacco, $1,151,150; hay, $10,416,600.
Average cash value of crops per acre, $7.69 ; average yield of corn
per acre, 26 bushels ; wheat, 1 1 bushels.
Next in importance to the com crop in value is the live stock. The
following table shows the number of horses, mules and milch cows in
the different states for 1S79 :
62
HISTORY OF MISSOURI.
STATES. HORSES.
Maine •••••••••••••• 81,700
MULES,
New Hampshir
Vermont . . .
Massachusetts
Rhode Island
Connecticut . .
57,100
77400
131,000
1 6, 200
S3.500
New York ••... 898,000 11,800
New Jersey H4>5°° 14,400
Pennsylvania ............. 614 500 24,900
Delaware • 19,900 4,000
Maryland 108,600 11,300
Virginia 208 700 30,600
North Carolina 144,200 74,000
South Carolina 59,6o° 51,5°°
Georgia 119,200 97,200
Florida 22,400 11,900
Alabama 112,800 III, 700
Mississippi . 97, 200 100,000
Louisiana . . , • • • 79. 3°° 80,700
Texas • 618,000 180,200 .
Arkansas 180,500 89,300
Tennessee 329 700 99,700
West Virginia 122,200 2,400
Kentucky 386,900 117,800
Ohio 772,700 26,700
Michigan 333,8oo 4,300
Indiana 688,800 61,200
Illinois 1,100,000 138,000
Wisconsin 384,400 8,700
Minnesota 247,300 7,000
Iowa 770,700 43,400
Missouri 627,300 191,900
Kansas 265,000 50,000
Nebraska 157,200 13,600
California , 173,000 25,700
Oregon 109,700 3,500
Nevada, Colorado, and Territories 250,000 25,700
It will be seen from the above table that Missouri is the fifth state
in the number of horses ; fifth in number of milch cows, and the lead-
ing state in number of mules, having 11,700 more than Texas, which
produces the next largest number. Of oxen and cattle Missouri pro-
duced in 1879, 1,632,000, which was more than any other state pro-
duced excepting Texas, which had 4,800,000. In 1879, Missouri raised
2,817,600 hogs, which was more than any other state produced excepting
Iowa. The number of sheep was 1,296,400. The number of hogs packed
in 1879 by the different states is as follows :
MTLcH COWS.
169,100
98,100
217,800
16070O
22,000
116,500
1,446,200
152,200
828,400
23,200
100,500
236,200
232,300
131,300
273,100
70,000
2I5',200
188,000
110,900
544,500
187,700
245.700
130,500
237,200
714,100
416 9OO
439,200
702,400
477,300
278 900
676,200
516,200
321,900
127,600
459,600
112,400
423 600
STATES. NO.
Ohio 932,878
Indiana 622,321
Illinois 3,214,896
Iowa 569,763
STATES. NO.
Missouri . . • • 965,839
Wisconsin . » 472,108
Kentucky . 212,412
HISTORY OF MISSOU . 63
Average weight per head for each state :
gTATKS. POUNDS. STATES. POUNDS.
Ohio . • • 210.47 Missouri. . . . . ........ 213.32
Indiana 19380 Wisconsin 220 81
Illinois 225.71 Kentucky 210. 1 1
Iowa 211.98
From the above, it will be seen that Missouri annually packs more
hogs than any other state, except Illinois, and that she ranks third in
the average weight.
We see no reason why Missouri should not be the foremost stock-
raising state of the Union. In addition to the enormous yield of corn
and oats upon which the stock is largely dependent, the climate is well
adapted to their growth and health. Water is not only inexhaustible,
but everywhere convenient. The ranges for stock are boundless, afford-
ing for nine months of the year, excellent pasturage of nutritious wild
grasses, which grow in great luxuriance upon her thousand prairies.
Cotton is grown successfully in many counties of the southeastern
portions of the state, especially in Stoddard, Scott, Pemiscott, Butler,
New Madrid, Lawrence and Mississippi.
Sweet potatoes are produced in abundance and are not only sure
but profitable.
Broom corn, sorghum, castor beans, white beans, peas and hops,
thrive well, and all kinds of garden vegetables are produced in great
abundance and are found in the markets during all seasons of the year.
Fruits of every variety, including the apple, pear, peach, cherries, apricots
and nectarines are cultivated with great success, as are also the straw-
berry, gooseberry, currant, raspberry and blackberry.
The grape has not been produced with that success that was at first
anticipated, yet the yield of wine for the year 1879 was nearly half a
million gallons. Grapes do well in Kansas, and we see no reason why
they should not be as surely and profitably grown in a similar climate
and soil in Missouri, and particularly in many of the counties north and
east of the Missouri River.
RAILROADS.
Twenty-nine years ago the neigh of the "iron horse" was heard for
the first time within the broad domain of Missouri. His coming pres-
aged the dawn of a brighter and grander era in the history of the state.
Her fertile prairies and more prolific valleys would soon be of easy access
to the oncoming tide of immigration, and the ores and minerals of her
hills and mountains would be developed and utilized in her manufactur-
ing and industrial enterprises.
Additional facilities would be opened to the marts of trade and
commerce; transportation from the interior of the state would be secured;
64 HISTORY OF MISSOURI.
a fresh impetus would be given to the growth of her towns and cities,
and new hopes and inspirations would be imparted to all her people.
Since 1852, the initial period of railroad building in Missouri, between
four and five thousand miles of track have been laid ; additional roads
are now being constructed and many others in contemplation. The
state is already supplied with railroads which thread her surface in all
directions, bringing her remotest districts into close connection with St.
Louis, that great centre of western railroads and inland commerce.
These roads have a capital stock aggregating more than one hundred
millions of dollars, and a funded debt of about the same amount.
The lines of railroads which are operated in the state are the fol-
lowing :
Missouri Pacific — chartered May 10th, 1850 ; the St. Louis, Iron
Mountain & Southern Railroad, which is a consolidation of the Arkansas
Branch ; the Cairo, Arkansas & Texas Railroad ; the Cairo & Fulton
Railroad ; the St. Louis, Kansas City & Northern Railway ; the St.
Louis & San Francisco Railway ; the Chicago, Alton & St. Louis Rail-
road ; the Hannibal & St. Joseph Railroad ; the Missouri, Kansas &
Texas Railroad ; the Illinois, Missouri & Texas Railroad ; the Kansas
City, St. Joseph & Council Bluffs Railroad ; the Keokuk & Kansas City
Railway Company ; the St. Louis, Salem & Little Rock Railroad Com-
pany ; the Missouri & Western ; the St. Louis, Keokuk & Northwestern ;
the St. Louis, Hannibal & Keokuk Railroad ; the Missouri, Iowa &
Nebraska Railway ; the Quincy, Missouri & Pacific Railroad ; the Chi-
cago, Rock Island & Pacific Railway ; the Burlington & Southwestern
Railroad ; the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad and the St.
Joseph & Des Moines.
MANUFACTURES.
The natural resources of Missouri especially fit her for a great man-
ufacturing state. She is rich in soil ; rich in all the elements which sup-
ply the furnace, the machine shop and the planing mill ; rich in the mul-
titude and variety of her gigantic forests ; rich in her marble, stone and
granite quarries ; rich in her mines of iron, coal, lead and zinc ; rich in
strong arms and willing hands to apply the force ; rich in water power
and river navigation ; and rich in her numerous and well built railroads,
whose numberless engines thunder along their multiplied trackways.
Missouri contains over fourteen thousand manufacturing establish-
ments, 1,965 of which are using steam and give employment to 80,000
hands. The capital employed is about $100,000,000, the material annu-
ally used and worked up amounts to over $150,000,000 and the value of
the products put upon the markets $250,000,000, while the wages paid
are more than $40,000,000.
HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 65
The leading manufacturing counties of the state are St. Louis, Jack-
son, Buchanan, St. Charles, Marion, Franklin, Green, Lafayette, Platte,
Cape Girardeau and Boone. Three-fourths, however, of the manufactur-
ing is done in St. Louis, which vs now about the second manufacturing
city of the Union. Flouring mi/Is produce annually about $38,194,000;
carpentering, $18,763,000; me a': packing, $16,769,000; tobacco, $12,496,-
000; iron and castings, $12,000,000; liquors, $11,245,000; clothing,
10,022,000; lumber, $8,652,000; bagging and bags, $6,914,000, and many
other smaller industries in proportion.
GREAT BRIDGE AT ST. LOUIS.
Of the many public improvements which do honor to the state and
reflect great credit upon the genius of their projectors, we have space
only to mention the great bridge at St. Louis.
This truly wonderful structure is built of tubular steel, the total
length of which, with its approaches, is 6,277 feet, at a cost of nearly
$8,000,000. The bridge spans the Mississippi from the Illinois to the
Missouri shore, and has separate railroad tracks, roadways and foot
paths. In durability, architectural beauty and practical utility, there is,
perhaps, no similar piece of workmanship that opproximates it.
The structure of Darius upon the Bosphorus ; of Xerxes upon the
Hellespont; of Caesar upon the Rhine; and Trajan upon the Danube,
famous in ancient history, were built for military purposes, that over
them might pass invading armies with their munitions of war, to destroy
commerce, to lay in waste the provinces, and to slaughter the people.
But the erection of this was for a higher and nobler purpose. Over
it are coming the trade and merchandise of the opulent East, and thence
are passing the untold riches of the West. Over it are crowding legions
of men, armed not with the weapons of war, but the implements of
peace and industry ; men who are skilled in all the arts of agriculture,
of manufacture and of mining ; men who will hasten the day when St.
Louis shall rank in population and importance second to no city on the
continent, and when Missouri shall proudly fill the measure of greatness,
to which she is naturally so justly entitled.
66 HISTORY OF MISSOURI.
CHAPTER XL
EDUCATION.
PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM-PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM OF MISSOURI— LINCOLN INSTITUTE-
OFFICERS OF PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM— CERTIFICATES OF TEACHERS— UNIVERSITY
OF MISSOURI-SCHOOLS— COLLEGES -INSTITUTIONS OF LEARNING— LOCATION-
LIBRARIES - NEWSPAPERS AND PERIODICALS — NO. OF SCHOOL CHILDREN —
AMOUNT EXPENDED— VALUE OF GROUNDS AND BUILDINGS— " THE PRESS."
The first constitution of Missouri provided that " one school or more
shall be established in each township, as soon as practicable and neces-
sary, where the poor shall be taught gratis."
It will be seen that even at that early day (1820), the framers of
the constitution made provision for at least a primary education for the
poorest and the humblest, taking it for granted that those who were
able would avail themselves of educational advantages which were not
gratuitous.
The establishment of the public school system in its essential feat-
ures was not perfected until 1839, during the administration of Governor
Boggs, and since that period the system has slowly grown into favor,
not only in Missouri, but throughout the United States. The idea of a
free or public school for all classes was not at first a popular one, espe-
cially among those who had the means to patronize private institutions
of learning. In upholding and maintaining public schools, the oppo-
nents of the system felt that they were not only compromising their
own standing among their more wealthy neighbors, but that they were
to some extent bringing opprobrium upon their children. Entertaining
such prejudices they naturally thought that the training received in pub-
lic schools could not be otherwise than defective, hence many years of
probation passed before the popular mind was prepared to appreciate
the benefits and blessings which spring from these institutions.
Every year only adds to their popularity, and commends them the
more earnestly to the fostering care of our State and National Legisla-
tures, and to the esteem and favor of all classes of our people.
We can hardly conceive of two grander and more potent promoters
of civilization than the free school and the free press. They would
indeed seem to constitute all that was necessary to the attainment of
the happiness and intellectual growth of the republic, and all that was
necessary to broaden, to liberalize, and to instruct.
HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 67
" Tit education forms the common mind |
******
For noble youth there is nothing so meet
As learning is, to know the good from ill ;
To know the tongues, and perfectly indite,
And of the laws to have a perfect skill,
Things to reform as right and justice will,
For honor is ordained for no cause
But to see right maintained by the laws.
All the states of the Union have in practical operation the public
school system, governed in the main by similar laws, and not differing
materially in the manner and methods by which they are taught, but
none have a wiser, a more liberal and comprehensive machinery of
instruction than Missouri. Her school laws since 1839 have undergone
many changes, and always for the better, keeping pace with the most
enlightened and advanced theories of the most experienced educators
of the land. But not until 1875, when the new constitution was adopted,
did the present admirable system of public instruction go into effect
Provisions were made not only for white, but for children of African
descent, and are a part of the organic law, not subject to the caprices
of unfriendly legislatures, or the whims of political parties. The Lincoln
Institute, located at Jefferson City, for the education of colored teachers,
receives an annual appropriation from the General Assembly.
For the support of the public schools, in addition to the annual
income derived from the public school fund, which is set apart by law,
not less than twenty-five per cent, of the state revenue, exclusive of the
interest and sinking fund, is annually applied to this purpose.
The officers having in charge the public school interests are the
State Board of Education, the State Superintendent, County Superin-
tendent, County Clerk and Treasurer, Board of Directors, City and
Town School Board and teacher. The State Board of Education is
composed of the State Superintendent, the Governor, Secretary of State
and the Attorney General, the executive officer of this board being the
State Superintendent, who is chosen by the people every four years. His
duties are numerous. He renders decisions concerning the local appli-
cation of school law; keeps a record of all the school funds and annually
distributes the same to the counties ; supervises the work of county
school officers ; delivers lectures ; visits schools ; distributes educational
information ; grants certificates of higher qualifications and makes an
annual report to the General Assembly of the condition of the schools.
The County Superintendents are also elected by the people for two
years. Their work is to examine teachers, to distribute blanks and
make reports. County clerks receive estimates from the local directors
and extend them upon the tax-books. In addition to this they keep the
general records of the county and township school funds, and return an
68 HISTORY OF MISSOURI.
annual report of the financial condition of the schools of their county to
the State Superintendent. School taxes are gathered with other taxes
by the county collector. The custodian of the school funds belonging to
the schools of the counties is the county treasurer, except in counties
adopting the township organization, in which case the township trustee
discharges these duties.
Districts organized under the special law for cities and towns are
governed by a board of six directors, two of whom are selected annually
on the second Saturday in September, and hold their office for three
years.
One director is elected to serve for three years in each school dis-
trict at the annual meeting. These directors may levy a tax not exceed-
ing forty per cent, on the one hundred dollars valuation, provided such
annual rates for school purposes may be increased in districts formed of
cities and towns, to an amount not to exceed one dollar on the hundred
dollars valuation ; and in other districts to an amount not to exceed
sixty-five cents on the one hundred dollars valuation, on the condition
that a majority of the voters who are tax payers, voting at an election
held to decide the question, vote for said increase. For the purpose of
erecting public buildings in school districts, the rates of taxation thus
limited, may be increased when the rate of such increase and the pur-
pose for which it is intended shall have been submitted to a vote of the
people, and two-thirds of the qualified voters of such school district vot-
ing at such election shall vote therefor.
Local directors may direct the management of the school in respect
to the choice of teachers and other details, but in the discharge of all
important business such as the erection of a school house or the exten-
sion of a term of school beyond the constitutional period, they simply
execute the will of the people. The clerk of this board may be a
director. He keeps a record of the names of all the children and youth
in the district between the ages of five and twenty-one ; records all busi-
ness proceedings of the district, and reports to the annual meeting, to
the County Clerk and County Superintendents.
Teachers must hold a certificate from the State Superintendent or
County Commissioner of the county where they teach. State certificates
are granted upon personal written examinations in the common branches,
together with the natural sciences and higher mathematics. The holder
of such certificate may teach in any of the public schools of the state
without further examination. Certificates granted by County Commis-
sioners are of two classes, with two grades in each class. Those issued
for a longer term than one year belong to the first class, and are suscep-
tible of two grades, differing both as to length of time and attainments.
Those issued for one year may represent two grades, marked by qualifi-
cation alone. The township school fund arises from a grant of land by
HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 69
the general government, consisting of section sixteen in each Congres-
sional township. The annual income of the township fund is appropri-
ated to the various townships, according to their respective proprietary
claims. The support from the permanent funds is supplemented by
direct taxation laid upon the taxable property of each district. The
greatest limit of taxation for the current expenses is one per cent.; the
tax permitted for school house building cannot exceed the same amount.
Among the institutions of learning, and ranking, perhaps, the first
in importance, is the State University, located at Columbia, Boone
County. When the state was admitted into the Union, Congress granted
to it one entire township of land (46,080 acres) for the support of a
"Seminary of Learning." The lands secured for this purpose are among
the best and most valuable in the state. These lands were put upon
the market in 1832 and brought $75,000, which amount was invested in the
stock of the old Bank of the State of Missouri, where it remained and
increased by accumulation to the sum of $100,000. In 1839, by an act
of the General Assembly, five commissioners were appointed to select a
site for the State University, the site to contain at least fifty acres of
land in a compact form, within two miles of the county seat of Cole,
Cooper, Howard, Boone, Callaway or Saline. Bids were let among the
counties named, and the county of Boone having subscribed the sum of
$117,921, some $18,000 more than. any other county, the State Univer-
sity was located in that county, and on the 4th of July, 1840, the corner-
stone was laid with imposing ceremonies.
The present annual income of the university is nearly $65,000.
There are still unsold about 200,000 acres of land from the grant of
1862. The donations to the institutions connected therewith amount to
nearly $400,000. This university, with its different departments, is
opened to both male and female, and both sexes enjoy alike its
rights and privileges. Among the professional schools, which form a
part of the university, are the Normal, or College of Instruction in
Teaching ; the Agricultural and Mechanical College ; the School of
Mines and Metallurgy ; the College of Law ; the Medical College, and
Department of Analytical and Applied Chemistry. Other departments
are contemplated and will be added as necessity requires.
The following will show the names and locations of the schools and
institutions of the state as reported by the Commissioner of Education
in 1875.
UNIVERSITIES AND COLLEGES.
Christian University Canton.
St. Vincent's College Cape Girardeau.
University of Missouri Columbia.
Central College Fayette,
70 HISTORY OF MISSOURI.
Westminster College Fulton.
Lewis College Glasgow.
Pritchett School Institute Glasgow.
Lincoln College Greenwood.
Hannibal College Hannibal.
Woodland College Independence.
Thayer College Kidder.
LaGrange College LaGrange.
William Jewell College.' Liberty.
Baptist College Louisiana.
St. Joseph College St. Josoph.
College of Christian Brothers St. Louis.
St. Louis Uni versity St. Louis.
Washington University St. Louis.
Drury College Springfield.
Central Wesleyan College Warrenton.
FOR SUPERIOR INSTRUCTION OF WOMEN.
St. Joseph Female Seminary St. Joseph.
Christian College Columbia.
Stephens' College Columbia.
Howard College Fayette.
Independence Female College Independence.
Central Female College .Lexington.
Clay Seminary Liberty.
Ingleside Female College Palmyra.
Linden Wood College for Young Ladies St. Charles.
Mary Institute (Washington University) St. Louis.
St. Louis Seminary St. Louis.
Ursuline Academy St. Louis.
FOR SECONDARY INSTRUCTION.
Arcadia College Arcadia.
St. Vincent's Academy Cape Girardeau.
Chillicothe Academy Chillicothe.
Grand River College. Edinburgh.
Marionville College Institute Marionville.
Palmyra Seminary Palmyra.
St. Paul's College Palmyra.
Van Rensselaer Academy Rensselaer.
Shelby High School Shelbyville.
Stewartsville Male and Female Seminary Stewartsville.
SCHOOLS OF SCIENCE..
Mo. Agricultural and Mechanical College (University of Mo.). Columbia.
Schools of Mines and Metallurgy (Universy of Missouri) Rolla.
Polytechnic Institute (Washington University) St. Louis.
HISTORY OF MISSOURI. J\
SCHOOLS OF THEOLOGY.
St. Vincent's College (Theological Department) Cape Girardeau
Westminster College (Theological School) Fulton
Vardeman School of Theology (William Jewell College) Liberty-
Concordia College St. Louis
SCHOOLS OF LAW.
Law School of the University of Missouri Columbia
Law School of the Washington University. St. Louis
SCHOOLS OF MEDICINE.
Medical College, University of Missouri Columbia
College of Physicians and Surgeons . St. Joseph
Kansas City College of Physicians and Surgeons Kansas City
Hospital Medical College , St. Joseph
Missouri Medical College St. Louis
Northwestern Medical College St. Joseph
St. Louis Medical College St. Louis
Homeopathic Medical College of Missouri St. Louis
Mo. School of Midwifery and Diseases of Women and Children, St. Louis
Missouri Central College St. Louis
St. Louis College of Pharmacy St. Louis
LARGEST PUBLIC LIBRARIES.
St. Vincent's College Cape Girardeau .... 5>5°°
Southeast Missouri State Normal School Cape Girardeau. . . . 1,225
University of Missouri Columbia 10,000
Athenian Society Columbia * . 1,200
Union Literary Society Columbia 1,200
Law College Columbia 1,000
Westminster College Fulton 5,000
Lewis College Glasgow 3,000
Mercantile Library Hannibal 2,219
Library Association Independence 1,100
Fruitland Normal Institute Jackson 1,000
State Library Jefferson City 1 3,000
Fetterman's Circulating Library Kansas City 1,300
Law Library Kansas City 3,ooo
Whittemore's Circulating Library Kansas City 1,000
North Missouri State Normal School Kirksville 1,050
William Jewell College Liberty 4,000
St. Paul's College Palmyra 2,000
Missouri Schools of Mines and Metallurgy. . .Rolla 2,478
St. Charles Catholic Library St. Charles 1,716
Carl Fuelling's Library St. Joseph 6,000
Law Library St. Joseph 2,000
Public School Library St. Joseph 2,500
72 HISTORY OF MISSOURI.
Wool worth & Colt's Circulating Library St. Joseph 4,000
Academy of Science St. Louis 2,744
Academy of Visitation St. Louis 4,000
College of the Christian Brothers St. Louis 22,000
Deutsche Institute , St. Louis 1,000
German Evang. Lutheran, Concordia College . . St. Louis 4,800
Law Library Association St. Louis 8,000
Missouri Medical College St. Louis 1,000
Mrs. Cuthbert's Seminary (Young Ladies). . .St. Louis 1, 500
Odd Fellows Library St. Louis 4,000
Public School Library St. Louis 40,097
St. Louis Medical College St. Louis 1 , 100
St. Louis Mercantile Library St. Louis 45,000
St. Louis Seminary - , St. Louis 2,000
St. Louis Turn Verein St. Louis 2,000
St. Louis University St. Louis 17,000
St. Louis University Libraries St. Louis 8,000
Ursuline Academy St. Louis 2,000
Washington University St. Louis 4,500
St. Louis Law School St. Louis 3,000
Young Men's Sodality St. Louis 1,327
Library Association . Sedalia 1 ,500
Public School Library Sedalia 1,015
Drury College Springfield 2,000
IN 1 88a
Newspapers and periodicals •••••••••■ 48 1
CHARITIES.
State Asylum for Deaf and Dumb Fulton.
St. Bridget's Institution for Deaf and Dumb St. Louis.
Institution for the Education of the ^lind St. Louis.
State Asylum for Insane Fulton.
State Asylum for the Insane St. Joseph.
NORMAL SCHOOLS.
Normal Institute Bolivar.
Southeast Missouri State Normal School Cape Girardeau.
Normal School (University of Missouri) Columbia.
Fruitland Normal Institute Jackson.
Lincoln Institute (for colored) Jefferson City.
City Normal School ' St. Louis.
Missouri State Normal School Warrensburg.
IN 1878.
Estimated value of school property. • $r>321>399
Total receipts for public schools 4,207,617
Total expenditures 2,406, 1 30
HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 73
NUMBER OF TEACHERS.
Male teachers, 6,239 ; average monthly pay $36.36
Female teachers, 5,060 ; average monthly pay 21.09
NEWSPAPERS AND PERIODICALS.
The fact that Missouri supports and maintains four hundred and
seventy-one newspapers and periodicals shows that her inhabitants are
not only a reading and reflecting people, but that they appreciate "The
Press," and its wonderful influence as an educator. The poet has well
said ;
But mightiest of the mighty means,
On which the arm of progress leans,
Man's noblest mission to advance,
His woes assuage, his weal enhance,
His rights enforce, his wrongs redress-
Mightiest of mighty is the Press.
CHAPTER XII.
RELIGIOUS DENOMINATIONS.
BAPTIST CHURCH— ITS HISTORY— CONGREGATIONAL— WHEN FOUNDED— ITS HISTORY-
CHRISTIAN CHURCH— ITS HISTORY— CUMBERLAND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH— ITS
HISTORY — METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH — ITS HISTORY - PRESBYTERIAN
CHURCH-ITS HISTORY— PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH— ITS HISTORY— UNITED
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH— ITS HISTORY— UNITARIAN CHURCH-ITS HISTORY— RO-
MAN CATHOLIC CHURCH— ITS HISTORY.
The first representatives of religious thought and training who pene-
trated the Missouri and Mississippi Valleys were Pere Marquette, La Salle,
and others of Catholic persuasion, who performed missionary labor among
.the Indians. A century afterward came the Protestants. At that early
period
"A church in every grove that spread
Its living root above their heads,"
constituted for a time, their only house of worship, and yet to them
I*' No temple built with hands could vie
In glory with its majesty."
In the course 01 time the seeds of Protestantism were scattered along
the shores of the two great rivers which form the eastern and western
boundaries of the state, and still a little later they were sown upon her
hillsides and broad prairies, where they have since bloomed and blos-
somed as the rose.
74 HISTORY OF MISSOURI.
BAPTIST CHURCH.
The earliest anti-Catholic religious denomination of which there is
any record, was organized in Cape Girardeau County in 1806, through
the efforts of Rev. David Green, a Baptist, and a native of Virginia. In
1816 the first association of Missouri Baptists was formed, which was
composed of seven churches, all of which were located in the southeast-
ern part of the state. In 18 17 a second association of churches was
formed, called the Missouri Association, the name being afterwards
changed to St. Louis Association. 1834 a general convention of all the
churches of this denomination was held in Howard County, for the pur-
pose of effecting a central organization, at which time was commenced
what is now known as the "General Association of Missouri Baptists."
To this body is committed the state mission work, denominational
education, foreign missions and the circulation of religious literature.
The Baptist Church has under its control ^ number of schools and col-
leges, the most important of which is WilK. Jewell College, located at
Liberty, Clay County. As shown by the annual report for 1875, there
were in Missouri at that date, sixty-one associations, one thousand four
hundred churches, eight hundred and twenty-four ministers and eighty-
nine thousand six hundred and fifty church members.
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
The Congregationalists inaugurated their missionary labors in the
state in 18 14. Rev. Samuel J. Mills, of Torringford, Connecticut, and
Rev. Daniel Smith, of Bennington, Vermont, were sent west by the Mas-
sachusetts Congregational Home Missionary Society during that year,
and in November, 18 14, they preached the first regular Protestant ser-
mons in St. Louis. Rev. Salmon Giddings, sent out under the auspices
of the Connecticut Congregational Missionary Society, organized the
first Protestant church in the city, consisting of ten members, constituted
Presbyterian. The churches organized by Mr. Giddings were all Presby-
terian in their order.
No exclusively Congregational church was founded until 1852, when
the First Trinitarian Congregation?l Church of St. Louis was organized.
The next church of this denomination was organized at Hannibal, in
1S59. Then followed a Welsh church in New Cambria, in 1864, and
after the close of the war fifteen churches of the same order were formed
in different parts of the state. In 1866 Pilgrim Church, St. Louis was
organized. The General Conference of Churches of Missouri was formed
in 1865, which was changed in 1868 to General Association In 1866
Hannibal, Kidder and St. Louis District Associations were formed, and
following these were the Kansas City and Springfield District Associa-
HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 75
tions. This denomination in 1875 had 70 churches, 41 ministers, 3,363
church members, and had also several schools and colleges and one
monthly newspaper.
CHRISTIAN CHURCH.
The earliest churches of this denomination were organized in Cal-
laway, Boone and Howard Counties, some time previously to 1829. The
first church was formed in St. Louis in 1836, by Elder R. B. Fife. The
first state Sunday school convention of the Christian Church was held
in Mexico, in 1876. Besides a number of private institutions this
denomination has three state institutions, all of which have an able corps
of professors and have a good attendance of pupils. It has one religious
paper published in St. Louis, The Christian, which is a weekly publica-
tion and well patronized. The membership of this church now numbers
nearly one hundred thousand in the state and is increasing Rapidly. It
has more than five hundred organized churches, the greater portion of
which are north of the Missouri River.
CUMBERLAND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
In the spring of 1820 the first Presbytery of this denomination west
of the Mississippi, was organized in Pike County. This Presbytery
included all the territory of Missouri, Western Illinois and Arkansas,
and numbered only four ministers, two of whom resided at the time in
Missouri. There are now in the state twelve Presbyteries, three Synods,
nearly three hundred ministers and over twenty thousand members.
The Board of Missions is located at St. Louis. They have a number of
High Schools and two monthly papers published at St. Louis.
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
In 1806, Rev. John Travis, a young Methodist minister, was sent out
to the Western Conference, which then embraced the Mississippi Valley,
from Green County, Tennessee. During that year Mr. Travis organized
a number of small churches. At the close of his conference year he
reported the result of his labors to the Western Conference, which was
held at Chillicothe, Ohio, in 1807, and showed an aggregate of one hun-
dred and six members and two circuits, one called Missouri and the
other Meramec. In 1808 two circuits had been formed, and at each suc-
ceeding year the number of circuits and members constantly increased,
until 18 1 2, when what was called the Western Conference was divided
into the Ohio and Tennessee Conferences, Missouri falling into the Ten-
nessee Conference. In 18 16 there was another division when the Mis-
souri Annual Conference was formed. In 1810 there were four traveling
76 HISTORY OF MISSOURI.
preachers, and in 1820 fifteen traveling preachers, with over two thousand
members. In 1836 the territory of the Missouri Conference was again
divided when the Missouri Conference included only the state. In 1840
there were seventy-two traveling preachers, 177 local ministers and 13,992
church members. Between 1840 and 1850 the church was divided by the
organization of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. In 1850 the
membership of the M. E. Church was over 25,000, and during the succeed-
ing ten years the church prospered rapidly. In 1875 the M. E. Church
reported 274 church edifices and 34,156 members; the M. E. Church
South reported 443 church edifices and 49,588 members. This denom-
ination has under its control several schools and colleges and two weekly
newspapers*
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
The Presbyterian church dates the beginning of their missionary
efforts in the state as far back as 18 14, but the first Presbyterian Church
was not organized until 18 16, at Bellevue settlement, eight miles from
St. Louis. The next churches were formed in 18 16 and 1817, at Bon-
homme, Pike County. The first Presbyterian Church was organized in
St. Louis in 18 17, by Rev. Salmon Gidding. The first Presbytery was
organized 1817, by the Synod of Tennessee, with four ministers and four
churches. The first Presbyterian house of worship (which was the first
Protestant) was commenced in 1819 and completed in 1826. In 1820 a
mission was formed among the Osage Indians. In 183 1, the Presbytery
was divided into three : Missouri, St. Louis and St. Charles. These
were erected with a synod, comprising eighteen ministers and twenty-
three churches.
The church was divided in 1838, throughout the United States. In
i860 the rolls of the Old and New School Synods together showed 109
ministers and 146 churches. In 1866 the Old School Synod was divided
on political questions springing out of the war — a part forming the Old
School or Independent Synod of Missouri, who are connected with the
General Assembly South. In 1870 the Old and New School Presbyterians
united, since which time this Synod has steadily increased until it now
numbers more than 12,000 members, with more than 220 churches and
150 ministers.
This Synod is composed of six Presbyteries and has under its con-
trol one or two institutions of learning and one or two newspapers.
That part of the original Synod which withdrew from the General
Assembly remained an independent body until 1874, when it united with
the Southern Presbyterian Church. The Synod in 1875 numbered 80
ministers, 140 churches and 9,000 members. It has under its control
several male and female institutions of a high order. The St. Louis
Presbyterian, weekly paper, is the recognized organ of the Synod.
HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 77
PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
The missionary enterprises of this church began in the state in
1818, when a parish was organized in the city of St. Louis. In 1828 an
agent of the Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society visited the city,
who reported the condition of things so favorably that Rev. Thomas
Horrell was sent out as a missionary, and in 1825 he began his labors in
St. Louis. A church edifice was completed in 1830. In 1836 there were
five clergymen of this denomination in Missouri, who had organized
congregations in Booneville, Fayette, St. Charles, Hannibal and other
places. In 1840, the clergy and laity met in convention, a diocese was
formed, a constitution and canons adopted, and in 1844 a Bishop was
chosen, he being the Rev. Cicero S. Hawks.
Through the efforts of Bishop Kemper, Kemper College was founded
near St. Louis, but was afterward given up on account of pecuniary
troubles. In 1847, the Clark Mission began and in 1849 the Orphans
Home, a charitable institution was founded. In 1865, St. Luke's Hospital
was established. In 1875, there were in the city of St. Louis, twelve
parishes and missions and twelve clergymen. This denomination has
several schools and colleges and one newspaper.
UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
This denomination is made up of the members of the Associate and
Associate Reformed churches of the Northern states, which two bodies
united in 1858, taking the name of United Presbyterian Church of North
America. Its members were generally bitterly opposed to the institu-
tion of slavery. The first congregation was organized at Warrensburg,
Johnson County, in 1867. It rapidly increased in numbers and had, in
1875, ten ministers and five hundred members.
UNITARIAN CHURCH.
This church was formed in 1834, by Rev. W. G. Eliot, in St. Louis.
The churches are few in number throughout the state, the membership
being probably less than 300, all told. It has a mission house and free
school, for poor children, supported by donations.
ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH.
The earliest written record of the Catholic Church in Missouri
shows that Father Watrin performed ministerial services in Ste. Gene-
vieve in 1760, and in St. Louis in 1766. In 1770 Father Meurin erected
a small log church in St. Louis. In 1818 there were in the state four
chapels, and for Upper Louisiana, seven priests. A college and semin-
7£ HISTORY OF MISSOURI.
ary were opened in Perry County about this period for the education of
the young, being the first college west of the Mississippi river. In 1824
a college was opened in St. Louis, which is now known as the St. Louis
University. In 1826, Father Rosatti was appointed Bishop of St. Louis,
and, through his instrumentality, the Sisters of Charity, Sisters of St.
Joseph and of the Visitation were founded, besides other benevolent
and charitable institutions. In 1834 he completed the present Cathedral
Church. Churches were built in different portions of the state. In 1847
St. Louis was created an arch-diocese, with Bishop Kenrick, Arch-
bishop.
In Kansas City there are five parish churches, a hospital, a convent
and several parish schools. In 1868 the northwestern portion of the
state was erected into a separate diocese, with its seat at St. Joseph, and
Right-Reverend John J. Hogan appointed Bishop. There were, in 1875,
in the city of St. Louis, 34 churches, 27 schools, 5 hospitals, 3 colleges,
7 orphan asylums and 3 female protectorates. There were also 105
priests, 7 male and 13 female orders, and 20 conferences of St. Vincent
de Paul, numbering 1,100 members. In the diocese, outside of St. Louis,
there is a college, a male protectorate, 9 convents, about 120 priests, 150
churches and 30 stations. In the diocese of St. Joseph there were, in
1875,21 priests, 29 churches, 24 stations, 1 college, I monastery, 5 con-
vents and 14 parish schools.
THEOLOGICAL SCHOOLS.
Instruction preparatory to ministerial work is given in connection
with collegiate study, or in special theological courses, at :
Central College, (M. E. South) Fayette
Central Wesleyan College (M. E. Church) Warrenton
Christian University (Christian) Canton
Concordia College Seminary (Evangelical Lutheran) .St. Louis
Lewis College (M. E. Church) Glasgow
St. Vincent's College (Roman Catholic) Cape Girardeau
Vardeman School of Theology (Baptist) Liberty
The last is connected with William Jewell College.
STATE HIGHWAYS AND COUNTY AID ROADS CORRECTED TO APRIL I 1946
JUN23 1955
GENERAL HIGHWAY MAP
HOLT COUNTY
MISSOURI
PnCPARED BY THC
HIGHWAY PLANNING DEPARTMENT
MISSOURI STATE HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT
IN COOPERATION WITH THC
PUBLIC ROADS ADMINISTRATION
FEDERAL WORKS AGENCY
KALI
1946
STATE LINE (WOlCATlOtl KTNtCN THC STATE OF MlllOUMl
AND THE STATE OF KANSAS IS THE CHANNEL OF THC
MDSOUfli MIVEf) AS SMOWN ON UNITED STATES CNSINfEN
OEHNTMENT CHANTS. '•«• • i*«T
+
+
GENERAL HIGHWAY MAP HOLT COUNTY MISSOURI 44
HISTORY
OF
HOLT! ATCHISON COUNTIES.
CHAPTER I.
PREFATORY.
Two score years have passed since the first white settlements were
made within the bounds of that territory, now known as Holt and
Atchison Counties, Missouri.
Previous to that time the uncivilized aborigines roamed the prairies
wild and free, unfettered by the restraint of common or statutory law,
and uncircumscribed by township boundaries. The transformation
which has taken place, in the physiognomy of the country alone, is
beyond the comprehension of the finite mind ; luxuriant groves where
were the wide stretching prairies; cultivated fields where was the prim-
eval forest ; orchards, vineyards and gardens where waved the tall
prairie grass. So marked has been the change in the physical features
of the country, that there has been a decided change in the climatology.
The elements themselves, seem to have taken notice of this change, and
have governed themselves accordingly. While the annual rainfall and
the mean annual temperature remain about the same, in quantity, they
are now entirely different in quality, and although imperceptible and
independent of man's will, they have, nevertheless, come under the
same civilizing power, which has changed the wilderness into a fruitful
land.
The great change which has taken place in the development of the
material resources of the country, is more noticeable, as man can more
readily discern the changes which take place, by detail, in his own circum-
scribed field of activity, than he can those grand revolutions in the
boundless domain of nature. The changes which have occurred in the
social, moral and intellectual conditions are still more marked, mind,,
being more swift to act on mind than on matter.
u**rvm(B
&} W.N..JI il
SMlWnl ■**■,
St* Lf«**« ri,L^
^= '-'
Oh* Ual
537^*
#» . ■ ***»: M*
La*! *•„ v W,
Ar«f Bmm* I*"
**■*! * i t>-r» (Mum r>
0HXh»<r L«t*M
D
C»-| ■■■»»■* WmJmIjm
ImC* L-t
U* GrM Wm* La*
C*j. Im- *4 V ■ '—* LM
imwV»*4 1>W Clwl I.
' ■• -**•*-■
(MM 0»w "•• ft™
. [MUUtM, S+k*
* « C-A— 1 DniUf-4 ■«
1 1 Oat* v O**- Um ■»»*
• 0 H**>MI
. ■*.<» a* .-.»., U*u*>
J ■...*■.. MW4 Pl»
V hU.. Sk.it, OMI • **rf
* I 'inri ii
V y C ■»< • im St-*
CM Ottc*
STATE HIGHWAYS AND COUNTY AID ROADS CORRECTED TO APRIL I 1949
GENERAL
JUN2"^
HIGHWAY
ATCHISON C
Cmnjm
"""i^T" ft«M S*N-
* 'Aw.* Up*
MISSOURI
KEY MAP
SHOWING LOCATION Of COUNTY
PREPARED BT THE
HIGHWAY PLANNING DEPARl
MISSOURI STATE HIGHWAY D|
IN COOPERATION WITH THC
PUBLIC ROADS ADMINlSTRAl
FEDERAL WORKS AGENC|
SCALC
1946
C€N£RAL highway map ATI
80 HISTORY OF HOLT AND ATCHISON COUNTIES.
These changes can best be estimated by the institution of a brief
comparison :
Then the material resources of the country consisted simply in the
streams of water, which quenched the thirst of the aborigine, wherein
was found the fish which he ate, and upon which floated his frail canoe ;
the forest where he procured his fuel, material for the construction of
his rude weapons, and which sheltered the game which afforded him a
meagre and uncertain sustenance. Such were the material resources*
made available to the owner of the soil. The social condition of the
people was scarcely more advanced than is that of certain orders of the
lower animals, whose social attainments are comprehended in their
ability to unite for mutual offense or defense. In intellect and morals,
the original proprietors of the soil, were somewhat above the brute, but
still on the lowest round of the ladder.
Now the material resources of the country include in their number
the soil, with every useful and ornamental product known to the temper-
ate zone ; the forest, with every species for manufacture known to the
civilized world. The water in the streams, and the currents of air above
us, are alike trained to do man's bidding, while from the depths of the
earth, beneath our feet, is brought forth the hidden wealth, which was
hoarded by the turmoil of ages. Cities with their thousands of people,
a country with its thousands of inhabitants, while in city and country
the lofty spires of churches and school houses are evidences of a moral,
intelligent and reflecting people.
All this change has been brought about by the incoming of a new
people — the pale face — from the far off east and south, and that, too,
within the space of half a century. History furnishes no parallel to the
rapid development of this western country; it has been a chain whose
links were ever recurring surprises, and among the astonished, there
are none more so than those whose throbbing brains have planned, and
whose busy hands have executed the work.
Almost a century ago, a friend of America, although an Englishman,
in language almost prophetic, wrote :
" Westward the course of empire takes its way,
The four first acts already prist,
The fifth shall close the diama of the day ;
Time's noblest < ffering is the last."
o
The settlement of the New World, alluded to by the writer, has, as
a whole, fully met the conditions of that prophecy, but not till the past
half a century did the onward march of empire culminate in the settle-
ment of Northwest Missouri. With the exception of a few mining
towns in the gold regions of California, and the silver districts of Col-
orado, nothing has been like it before, and will not be exceeded in time
HISTORY OF HOLT AND 'ATCHISON COUNTIES. 8 1
to come. This has not been by accident. All kinds of material devel-
opment follow recognized and well established laws, and in nothing does
this fact more reveal itself than in the settlement of a country. Who-
ever has made it his business to study the "Great Northwest," as it has
unfolded itself in history, during the last three decades, has doubtless
met with ever returning wonders. The story of its unparalleled growth
and almost phenomenal development, has so often been repeated, that
it has become a common place platitude ; but a careful study of the
country will suggest questions which have thus far not been answered,
and cannot be. Why, for instance, have some sections filled up so
rapidly, and certain cities sprung up, as if by magic, while others, seem-
ingly no less favored by nature, are still in the first stages of develop-
ment ? These questions cannot in all cases be answered, but whoever
has studied the matter carefully, cannot fail to have discovered a law of
growth, which is as unvarying as any law of nature.
The two leading factors in the problem of municipal growth are,
location and character of first settlers. The location of Holt and
Atchison Counties was most favorable, and what is true of these coun-
ties is true of the entire state. More than half of the state is surrounded
by two of the most renowned water courses of the world, and one can
readily see that it possesses advantages enjoyed by no other state in the
Union. These conditions, so favorable to the past and future develop-
ment of the country, are beautifully illustrated by an ingenious little
poem, entitled " Two Ancient Misses," written by a gentleman who has
won 'a wide-spread reputation at the bar. We here quote it, as it well
illustrates our point, and is of sufficient merit to be preserved :
" TWO ANCIENT MISSES.
" I know two ancient misses
Who ever onward go,
From a cold and rigid northern clime,
Through a land of wheat, and corn, and wine,
To the southern sea, where the fig and the lime,
And the golden orange grow.
" In graceful curves they wind about,
Upon iheir long and lonely route
Among the beauteous hills ;
They never cease their onward step,
Though night and day they're dripping wet,
And oft with sleet and snow beset,
And sometimes with the chills.
" The one is a romping, dark brunette,
As fickle and gay as any coquette;
She glides along by the western plains,
And changes her bed each time it rains ;
Witching as any dark-eyed houri,
This romping, wild brunette, Missouri.
6
82 HISTORY OF HOLT AND ATCHISON COUNTIES.
" The other is placid, mild and fair.
With a gentle, sylph-like, quiet air,
And voice as sweet as soft guitar ;
She moves along the vales and parks
Where naiads play ^Ejlian harps —
Nor ever go by fits and starts —
No fickle coquette of the city,
But gentle, constant Mississippi
" [ love the wild and dark brunette
Because she is a gay coquette;
Her, too, I love of quiet air,
Because she's gentle, true and fair ;
Land of my birth ! the east and west, .
Embraced by these is doubly blest —
'Tis hard to tell which I love best.
In entering upon the work before us — the work of writing the
history of Holt and Atchison Counties, we have not underestimated the
difficulty and importance of the task. The chief difficulty lies in the
fact, that the events to be treated of, while they have to do with the
past, are so intimately interwoven with the present, that they are prop-
erly a part of it. The writer of history, as a general thing, deals wholly
with the affairs of past generations, and his aim is to pause when he
arrives at that realm bounded by the memory of men now living. The
whole field of our investigation lies this side of that boundary line, as
there are a few who will, doubless, peruse this work, who, from the first,
have witnessed and taken part in the events we shall attempt to narrate.
While there are a few who came to Holt County as early as 1838,
its permanent settlement did not properly begin until 1841, the date of
its organization. The permanent settlement of Atchison County did
not commence until 1845. Assuming the years 1841 and 184S, to be the
beginning of the history proper of these two counties, there have elapsed)
in the first instance, but forty-one years, and in the second, but thirty-
seven. Some of the first settlers, who were here at the dates mentioned,
still live within the limits of the counties. And such, while they have
grown prematurely old in body, by reason of the hardships and priva-
tions incident to a life of more than ordinary activity and trial, have not
grown old in spirit. Each one of such knows the history of the county,
and, be it said, with due reverence for their hoary heads and bended
forms, each one knows the history of his county better than any one
else. Such readers are very uncharitable critics, and a work of this
kind, absolutely accurate in all its details and particulars, were it within
the scope of human possibility to make such a work, would undoubtedly
be pronounced by many well meaning and honest persons faulty and
untrustworthy. This results from the fact, that the periods above men-
tioned, though not long periods in the history of the world, constitute a
HISTORY OF HOLT AND ATCHISON COUNTIES. 83
long time in the life of an individual. Events occurring forty years ago
we think we know perfectly well, when the fact is we know them very
imperfectly. This is proved and illustrated by the reluctancy and hesi-
tation manifested invariably by old settlers, when called upon to give
the details of some early transaction ; the old settler usually hesitates
before giving a date, and after having finally settled down upon the year
and the month when a certain event occurred, will probably hunt you
up in less than a day, and request the privilege of correcting the date.
In the meantime, you have found another old settler, who was an eye
witness of the act in question, and the date he will give you does not
correspond with the first date, nor with the corrected date, as given by
the first old settler. There are some marked exceptions, but as a rule,
the memory of the old settler is not trustworthy ; his ideas of the gen-
eral outlines are usually comparatively correct, but no one who has the
grace to put the proper estimate upon his mental faculties, when impaired
by age and weakened by the many infirmities of years, will trust it to
the arbitrament of questions of particulars and details. The stranger
who comes into the county with none of the information which those
possess who have resided here for years, works at a great disadvantage
in many respects. He does not at first know whom to consult, or where
to find the custodians of important records. He possesses, however,
•one great advantage, which more than makes up for this ; he enters
upon his work with an unbiased mind ; he has no friends to reward, and
no enemies to punish ; his mind is not preoccupied and prejudged by
reports which may have incidentally come into his possession while
transacting the ordinary affairs of business; and when, in addition to this,
he is a person whose business is to collect statements and weigh facts of
history, he is much better qualified for the task, and to discriminate
between statements, seemingly of equal weight, than those who either
immediately or remotely are interested parties, and whose regular
■employment lies in other fields of industry. This is true, even though
the former be a total stranger and the latter have become familiar with
men and things by many years of intercourse and acquaintanceship.
He is best judge and best juror who is totally unacquainted with both
plaintiff and defendant, and he is best qualified to arbitrate between
conflicting facts of history who comes to the task without that bias
which is the price one must pay for acquaintanceship and familiarity.
The best history of France was written by an Englishman, and the
most authentic account of American institutions was written by a
Frenchman, and it remained for an American to write the only authentic
history of the Dutch Republic.
The American people are much given to reading, but the character
of the matter read is such, that, with regard to a large proportion of them,
it may truthfully be said that " truth is stranger than fiction." Espec-
84 HISTORY OF HOLT AND ATCHISON COUNTIES.
ially is this the case in respect to those facts of local history belonging
to their own immediate county or neighborhood. This is perhaps not
so much the fault of the people, as a neglect on the part of the. book
publishers. Books, as a rule, are made to sell, and in order that a book
may have a large sale, its matter must be of such a general character
as to be applicable to general rather than special conditions — to the
nation and state rather than to county and township. Thus it is, that
no histories heretofore published pertain to matters relating to county
and neighborhood affairs, for such books, in order to have a sale over a
large section of country, must necessarily be very voluminous and con-
tain much matter of no interest to the reader.
After having given a synopsis of the history of the state, which is
as brief as could well be, we shall then enter upon the history of Holt
County, giving its physical features, its geology, its organization, its
pioneer times, settlement of the different townships, its political and
financial history, its schools, churches, railroads, manufactures, public
buildings, newspapers, enterprises, citizens, agriculture, and, in fact,
everything that pertains to the history of the county. We shall then
take up the history of Atchison County, treating of it in form and man-
ner and as fully as we do that of Holt, and, if we mistake not, the his-
tory of these two counties, which are a part and parcel of the Platte
Purchase, settled so nearly at the same time — the latter preceding that
of the former but four years in the date of its organization — will be
replete with interest, not only to the remaining few of the old pioneers
now living, but to their descendants.
The compiler of a county history has a task which may seem to be
comparatively easy, and the facts which come within the legitimate
scope of the work may appear commonplace when compared with
national events ; the narration of the peaceful events attending the con-
quests of industry as —
" Westward the course of empire takes its way,"
may seem tame when compared with accounts of battles and sieges.
Nevertheless, the faithful gathering, and the truthful narration of facts,
bearing upon the early settlement of these two counties, and the dangers,
hardships and privations encountered by the early pioneers, engaged in
advancing the standards of civilization, is a work of no small magnitude,
and the facts thus narrated are such as may challenge the admiration
and arouse the sympathy of the reader, albeit they have nothing to do
with the feats of arms.
We shall conclude the history of each township with a biographical
directory, the value of which will increase with years.
HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
CHAPTER II.
PLATTE PURCHASE.
THE PLATTE COUNTRY-CORRESPONDENCE IN REFERENCE THERETO - MEETING AT
LIBERTY, MISSOURI-ITS OBJECT— MEMORIAL— EFFORTS OF BENTON AND LINN-
TREATY WITH THE IOWAYS, SACS AND FOX INDIANS.
Holt and Atchison Counties being a portion of the territory origin-
ally included in the Platte Purchase, a short history, detailing how, when,
and through whom, the purchase of this territory was accomplished,
will doubtless be of interest to citizens of the counties.
For several years, prior to the acquisition of the Platte Purchase by
the United States Government, the people of Missouri desired its annex-
ation. By moving the Indians, and possessing this territory now con-
stituting the counties of Platte, Buchanan, Andrew, Holt, Nodaway and
Atchison, some of the richest, best timbered, and best watered lands in
the state, would be opened for settlement. The state would then have
a natural boundary line (the Missouri River) between the whites and
the Indians, and the people having already located in the counties con-
tiguous to this territory on the east, could avail themselves of the trans-
portation facilities afforded by the Missouri River, without being
compelled to cross the Indian territory. In pursuance of these objects,
the Hon. L. F. Linn, then a United States Senator, from Missouri, in
January, 1835, addressed H. Ellsworth, Esq,, the following communica-
tion :
Washington, January 23, 1835.
Sir : It has long been desired by the people of Missouri to have
annexed to the state that portion ot territory lying between her western
boundary and the great river, Missouri, for the purpose of preventing
the location of an annoying Indian population, and for the purpose of
having points on the river to receive their supplies and ship their pro-
ductions, within a moderate distance from the homes of those inhabitants
residing along that line of the frontier.
The location of the Pottawatomies, by the treaty of Chicago, on this
territory, interposes a barrier to the attainment of these objects, so
important to the welfare and tranquility of the inhabitants of the north-
ern and western counties. Will you be so good as to furnish me your
86 HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
opinion as to the propriety of ratifying that treaty, and the danger of
collision between the two races, from placing the Indians between the
white population and the river Missouri.
Very respectfully,
H. Ellsworth, Esq. L. F. LINN.
The following is the answer of Mr. Ellsworth :
Washington, January 27, 1835.
SIR : Yours of the 23d instant, requesting my opinion as to the
propriety of ratifying the Chicago treaty, and the danger of collision
that will probably arise from placing the Indians between the white
population and the river Missouri, at the northwest section of the state,
was received this morning. In reply, I hasten to observe that the small
strip of land lying between the Missouri River and the State of Missouri,
is, compared with the country lying north of the state line, an unfavor-
able location for the Indian tribes.
In the fall of 1833, I held a council with the Ioways and the little
band of Sacs and Foxes living on this strip, who complained of the great
difficulty attending their present situation, on account of the contiguity
and encroachments of white men in the state, and all the chiefs desired
me to make a treaty for their removal to land lying north of the state
line. Not being authorized to make this treaty, I did not attempt it,
but have recommended the subject to the favorable consideration of" the
government.
I have understood that the Pottawatomies are willing to receive
other land, in equal amount, for that lying south of the north line of Mis-
souri extended. If this can be done I have no doubt it would be advan-
tageous to all the parties concerned. The government would realize
the value of land, but more especially the Pottawatomies would have an
excellent location, one far less likely to be interrupted by the encroach-
ment of white neighbors. The State of Missouri might hereafter be
accommodated with a good natural boundary, several excellent water
privileges, and additional landings on the navigable waters of Missouri
for one hundred and forty miles. The ratification of the Chicago treaty
will prevent the future disposal of this narrow strip to Missouri. Hence
I conceive it highly important that the Pottawatomies should make an
exchange of part of the lands embraced within the original treaty. It
may be proper to state that; from the concurrent testimony of all per-
sons residing on the Missouri, as well as from a personal view from the
opposite side of the river, the location of the Pottawatomies north of
the land in question, will give them a rich and fertile tract, equal to that
of any tribe already migrated.
It ought to be noticed that the general expectation that the Chicago
treaty would be modified, has emboldened many squatters to enter upon
the lands in question, in hopes of fixing their future residence. I have,
therefore, no hesitation in giving an opinion as to the expediency of
altering the Chicago treaty, so as to confine the Pottawatomies north of
the little strip now wanted by the State of Missouri.
Having given this opinion, permit me to say that I believe it prac
ticable, with little expense or delay, to remove the Indians now on this
strip of land, and to extinquish any remaining right in the red men fos
HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY. 87
hunting or other privileges, and this removal and extinguishment I
would respectfully recommend before the state jurisdiction is extended
to the waters of the Missouri.
Yours, most respectfully,
HENRY ELLSWORTH.
HON. L. F. LINN, Senator.
At the same time the Hon. L. F. Linn wrote to Maj. John Dough-
erty, Indian Agent, for information concerning the geography and topo-
graphy of the country embraced in the " Platte Purchase," and in three
days thereafter received the following answer :
Washington, January 26, 1835.
Sir : Your communication of the 23d instant, containing certain
queries touching the slip of land lying between the western boundary
line of the State of Missouri and the Missouri River has been received.
I assure you it will afford me great pleasure to furnish the answers
called for, and in the order in which you have proposed the questions.
1st. The length of the strip of land referred to is, on its east line,
one hundred miles long ; the west line, following the meanders of the
Missouri River, is about one hundred and fifty miles in length, to a
point on said river due west from the northwest corner of the state, the
average breadth being about fifteen miles.
, 2d. I feel no hesitation in stating (and this without the fear of con-
tradiction) that the location of Indians upon this territory would be
attended with the most ruinous effects ; It would alike be injurious to
the Indians and whites; take, for example, the Ioways, who now reside
upon the upper end of this strip — they are a poor, drunken, miserable
set of beings, dwindling away to nothing, quarreling among themselves,
killing each other, and in constant broils with their white neighbors.
Those evils would be greatly increased were the Indians located all the
way down this strip of land, between the white settlements and the
Missouri River to the mouth of the Kansas River, where it becomes
narrow and the white population more dense.
3d. The inconvenience to our citizens would be incalculable, if
those along the western line of the state were compelled to transport
their productions to the mouth of the Kansas River for shipment ; some
of them residing within eight or ten miles of steamboats passing every
day, would be obliged to haul everything for market over a new country
one hundred miles.
4th. There is a great deficiency of water power and springs in the
northern counties of the State of Missouri, whilst the strip of land you
have reference to abounds with numerous flush running springs and
creeks, with great falls, well calculated for mills or other water works.
5th. The country north of the State of Missouri, reaching from the
Mississippi to the Missouri River, and extending north between four and
five hundred miles, is well timbered, interspersed with fine rich prairies,
and abounds with numerous large, bold running streams, coming in
from the high lands between these two great rivers ; in short, the whole
country is well adapted to agricultural purposes, with a fine climate, and
exceedingly healthy.
88 HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
In reply to your 6th question, I deem it sufficient to refer to the
answer under the second query. The peace and tranquility of both
whites and Indians require that this long strip of land should be attached
to the State of Missouri ; and I cannot suppose that any gentlemen as
well acquainted with its locality as I am, would entertain a different
opinion, or dissent from the views herein expressed.
With great respect, I have the honor to be
Your obedient servant,
JNO. DOUGHERTY,
Hon. L. F. Linn, Senate U. S. Indian Agent.
As early as 1834-5, two years before the removal of the Indians,
the narrow strip of land between the western boundary of the state and
the Missouri River began to be settled by white men. So numerous
were these settlers that the United States Government sent a military
force from Fort Leavenworth to remove them. What proportion of
these daring frontiersmen had located in this territory wecannot deter-
mine, but the number must have been considerable, as will be seen from
the following letter from Hon. L. F. Linn to Hon. John Forsyth, Secre-
tary of State :
Saint Genevieve, August 10, 1835.
Sir : I take the liberty of enclosing you a copy (perhaps imperfect,
from having mislaid the original), of a letter dated May 14, to the Sec-
retary of War, on a subject of much interest to the people of this state.
To this communication no answer has been received. May I tax your
kindness by asking that you will read the letter, and give the subject
your friendly attention in any way you may deem advisable. I feel that
there is a propriety in endeavoring to obtain your assistance, knowing
the state you so long represented in Congress with such distinguished
credit,* has been greatly annoyed by an Indian population. I hear an
order has come from the War Department to remove the families who
have settled on the Indian lands lying between our western boundary
and the Missouri River, by military force.
You know the independent and daring, character of our frontier
population, and, knowing you will easily believe that this step is not to
be accomplished without violence and much distress, as the families are
two or three hundred in number. The accompanying diagram will at a
glance show you what we want, and at the same time the utter useless-
ness of this portion of country for Indian purposes.
The long absence of Governor Cass, and multiplicity of business
since his return, may have caused him to lose sight of my letter. His
order has caused much sensation in the northern part of the state, and
for the present ought to be suspended. Yours truly,
Hon. John Forsyth, L. F, LINN.
Secretary of State.
In the summer of 1835, there was held a regimental militia muster
at Dale's farm, three miles from the town of Liberty, in Clay County.
After the morning parade, and during the recess for dinner, a mass
meeting of the citizens present was addressed, among others, by General
HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY. 89
Andrew S. Hughes, who came to Clay from Montgomery County, Ken-
tucky, in 1828, and who soon afterward was appointed Indian agent by
President John Quincy Adams. At this meeting he proposed the acqui-
sition of the Platte Country, and the measure met with such hearty
approval that a committee was at once' appointed to make an effort to
accomplish it. The committee was composed of William T. Wood, now
judge of the Lexington Circuit ; David R. Atchison, ex-United States
Senator ; A. W. Doniphan, a distinguished lawyer and hero of the Mex-
ican War ; Peter H. Burnett, afterward one of the supreme judges of
California, and Edward M. Samuel, afterward president of the Commer-
cial Bank in St. Louis- — all of them at that time residents of Clay
County. Subsequently an able memorial to Congress was drafted by
Judge Wood, embracing the facts and considerations in behalf of the
measure, which, after being signed by the committee, was forwarded to
the senators and representatives at Washington from Missouri.
Following the prayer of this memorial, in 1836, a bill was introduced
in Congress by Thomas H. Benton, and zealously supported by his col-
league, Senator Linn, which provided for the extension of the then
existing boundary of the state, so as to include the triangle between the
existing line and the Missouri River, then a part of the Indian Terri-
tory, now comprising the counties of Atchison, Andrew, Buchanan,
Holt, Nodaway and Platte. The difficulties encountered were three
fold : 1. To make still larger a state which was already one of the larg-
est in the Union. 2. To remove Indians from a possession which had
just been assigned to them in perpetuity. 3. To alter the Missouri
Compromise line in relation to slave territory, and thereby convert free
soil into slave soil. Notwithstanding these difficulties, the two first
mentioned serious and the last formidable, the act was passed and the
treaties negotiated, and in 1837, the Indians removed west of the Mis-
souri River, thus adding to the state a large body of the richest land in
the world.
During the fall of 1835, after the meeting held at the regimental
muster above referred to, General Andrew S. Hughes wrote to Hon. L.
F. Linn in reference to a treaty with the Ioways and Sacs of his agency.
His letter is as follows :
Ioway Sub-Agency, September 3, 1835.
Sir : I have written a hasty scrawl to you. It might be well to pub-
lish your letter to show to the people what you are doing. I send this
to St. Genevieve, not exactly knowing where to find you. I give you
liberty to do just as you may think proper with my letter.
All letters addressed to me, I wish directed to the " Elm Grove
Post Office, Clay County, Missouri. This is most convenient to me.
When I hear from you I will write again. I desire to see you before
you go east.
90 HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
A treaty can be made with the Ioways of my agency and Sacs,
without expense to the government, or any other unnecessary pomp
and parade, as has heretofore been the case. Colonel Dodge could
make treaty with the Indians as a part of his official duty. They are
near his post, and I should have no objections to render any assistance
that might be asked of me. Believe me, your sincere friend,
ANDREW S. HUGHES.
To Hon. Lewis F. Linn.
The treaty which was negotiated with the Sacs and Fox Indians,
whereby Missouri extended her western boundary line, is as follows :
ARTICLES OF A TREATY
made and concluded at Fort Leavenworth, own the Missouri River,
between William Clark, Superintendent of Indian Affairs, on the part of
the United States, of the one part, and the undersigned, chiefs, warriors
and counsellors of the Ioway tribe, and the band of Sacs and Foxes of
the Missouri (residing west of the State of Missouri) in behalf of their
respective tribes, of the other part.
ARTICLE i. By the first article of the treaty of Prairie du Chien,
held the 15th of July, 1830, with the confederate tribes of the Sacs and
Foxes, Ioways, Omahaws, Missourias, Ottoes and Sioux, the country
cededto the United States by that treaty is to be " assigned and allotted,
under the President of the United States, to the tribes living thereon, or
to such other tribes as the President may locate thereon for hunting and
other purposes." And whereas, it is further represented to us, the chiefs,
warriors and counsellors of the Ioways and Sacs and Fox band afore-
said, to be desirable that the lands lying between the State of Missouri
and the Missouri River should be attached to and become a part of the
said state, and the Indian title thereto should be extinguished ; but that,
notwithstanding, as these lands compose a part of the country embraced
by the provisions of said first article of the treaty aforesaid, the stipula-
tions thereof will be strictly observed, until the assent of the Indians
interested is given to the proposed measure.
Now we, the chiefs, warriors and counsellors of the Ioways and Mis-
souri bands of Sacs and Foxes, fully understanding the subject, and well
satisfied from the local position of the lands in question, that they can
never be made available for Indian purposes, and that an attempt to
place an Indian population on them must inevitably lead to collision
with the citizens of the United States ; and further, believing that the
extension of the state line in the direction indicated, would have a happy
effect, by presenting a natural boundary between the whites and the
Indians ; and willing, moreover, to give the United States a renewed
evidence of our attachment and friendship, do hereby, for ourselves and
on behalf of our respective tribes (having full power and authority to this
effect) forever cede, relinquish and quit-claim to the United States, all
our right, title and interest, of whatever nature, in and to the land lying
between the State of Missouri and the Missouri River, and do freely and
fully exonerate the United States from any guarantee, condition or lim-
itation, expressed or implied, under the treaty of Prairie du Chien, afore-
said or otherwise, as to the entire and absolute disposition of the said
HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY. 91
lands ; fully authorizing the United States to do with the same whatever
shall seem expedient or necessary.
As a proof of the continued friendship and liberality of the United
States toward the Ioways and band of Sacs and Foxes of the Missourias,
and as an evidence of the same entertained for the good will manifested
by said tribes to the citizens and Government of the United States, as
evinced in the preceding cession or relinquishment, the undersigned,
William Clark, agrees, on behalf of the United States, to pay as a pres-
ent to the said Ioways and band of Sacs and Foxes $7,500 in money, the
receipt of which they hereby acknowledge.
Article 2. As the said tribes of Ioways and Sacs and Foxes have
applied for a small piece of land south of the Missouri for a permanent
home, on which they can settle, and request the assistance of the Gov-
ernment of the United States to place them on the land, in a situation
at least equal to that they now enjoy on the lands ceded by them,
Therefore, I, William Clark, Superintendent of Indian Affairs, do further
agree on behalf of the United States, to assign to the Ioway tribes and
Missouri band of Sacs and Foxes, the small strip of land on the south
side of the Missouri River, lying between the Kickapoo northern boun-
dary line and the Grand Nemaha River, and extending from the Mis-
souri back and westwardly with the said Kickapoo line and the Grand
Nemaha, making four hundred sections, to be divided between the said
Ioways and the Missouri band of Sacs and Foxes, the lower half to the
Sacs and Foxes, the upper half to the Ioways.
Article 3. The Ioways and Missouri band of Sacs and Foxes, fur-
ther agree that they will move and settle on the lands assigned them in
the above article as soon as arrangements can be made, and the under-
signed, William Clark, in behalf of the United States, agrees that, as
soon as the above tribes have selected a site for their villages, and places
for their fields, and moved to them, to erect for the Ioways five comfort-
able houses ; to enclose and break up for them two hundred acres of
ground ; to furnish them with a farmer, blacksmith, schoolmaster and
interpreter, as long as the President of the United States deems proper ;
to furnish them with such agricultural implements as may be necessary,
for five years ; to furnish them with rations for one year, commencing at
the time of their arrival at their new home ; to furnish them with one ferry-
boat ; to furnish them with one hundred cows and calves, and five bulls, and
one hundred stock hogs, when they require them ; to furnish them with
a mill, and assist in removing them, to the extent of five hundred dollars.
And to erect for the Sacs and Foxes, three comfortable houses ; to
enclose and break up for them two hundred acres of land ; to furnish
them with a farmer, blacksmith, schoolmaster and interpreter, as long as
the President of the United States shall deem proper ; to furnish them
with such agricultural implements as may be necessary, for five years ;
to furnish them with rations for one year, commencing at the time of
their arrival at their new home ; to furnish them with one ferryboat ; to
furnish them with one hundred cows and calves, and five bulls; one hun-
dred stock hogs, when they require them ; to furnish them with a mill,
and to assist in removing them to the extent of four hundred dollars.
ARTICLE 4. This'treaty shall be obligatory on the tribes, parties
hereto, from and after the date hereof, and on the United States, from
and after its ratification by the Government thereof.
92
HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
Done and signed and sealed at Fort Leavenworth, on the Missouri,
this seventeenth day of September, eighteen hundred and thirty-six,
and of the independence of the United States the sixtv-first.
WILLIAM CLARK,
Superintendent Indian Affairs.
IOWAYS :
Mo-HOS-CA (or White Cloud),
Nau-CHE-NING (or No Heart),
Wa-che-mo-NE (or the Orator),
MAN-O-MONE (or Pumpkin),
Ne-O-MO-NE (or Raining Cloud),
Ne-wan-thaw-chu (Hair Shed-
der),
Cha-tau-the-ne (Big Bull),
CONGU (or Plumb),
Cha-ta-thaw (Buffalo Bull),
Wau-THAW-CA-BE-CHU (one' that Man-haw-ka (or Bunch of Arrows.)
eats rats.)
SACS AND FOXES.:
Ca-HA-QUA (Red Fox), Pe-SHAW-CA (Bear),
Pe-CAW-MA (Deer), NE-BOSH-CA-NA (Wolf),
Ke-SQUI-IN-a (Deer), Ne-SAW-AN-QUA (Bear),
QUA-CO-OUSI-SI (Wolf), Se-QUIL-i-a (Deer),
As-KE-pa-ke- KA-AS- A (Green Wa-PE-SA (Swan),
Lake), No-CHA-TAW-WA-TA-SA (Star),
Can-CA-CAR-MACK (Bald Headed Se-A-SA-ho (Sturgeon),
Eagle), Pe-a-chim-a-car-mack, Jr., (Bald
Headed Eagle).
WITNESSES :
S. W. Kearny, Jr.,
John Dougherty,
A. S. Hughes,
George R. H. Clark,
William Duncan,
Joseph V. Hamilton,
H. Robidou, Jr.,
William Bowman,
jeffry dorion,
Peter Constine, ■
Jacques Mette,
Louis M. Davidson.
X6 sg&i t»x
CHAPTER III.
GEOLOGY OF HOLT COUNTY.
LOCATION-BOUNDARY— AREA— TOPOGRAPH Y-TIMBER- PRAIRIE— SOIL— STREAMS— COAL
GRINDSTONES — LIMESTONE - MINLRAL RESOURCES — CEMENT WORKS - GOLD
MINKS.
Holt County is located in the Northwestern portion of the state,
and is separated from Iowa by Atchison County. It is nearly the same
parallel as Philadelphia and Sacramento, and about the same meridian
as Lake of the Woods and Galveston.
BOUNDARY — AREA.
It is bounded on the north by Atchison and Nodaway Counties, on
the east by Nodaway and Andrew Counties, on the south by Kansas,
and on the west by Kansas and Nebraska, from which it is separated by
the Missouri River, and has an area of 434 square miles. It has ten
municipal, four full congressional, and nineteen fractional congressional
townships.
TOPOGRAPHY.
The Missouri River bottoms occupy considerably more than one-
third of the area of the county, and above township sixty, they are at
least ten miles in width. Southward they are narrower, converging
gradually towards the southern boundary line of the county. The
bluffs attain a height of from one hundred and twenty-five to two hun-
dred feet, with occasional intervals of low hills. After leaving the Mis-
souri bluffs, about two miles, the country becomes less hilly, and soon
passes into a beautiful rolling country. From the mouth of the Noda-
way River, for ten miles north, the adjacent hills are high and the sur-
face of the land is broken.
The hills in the northeast part* of the county are low and gently
undulating. Near Squaw Creek, Davis Creek and Tarkio, the hills have
gradual slopes, with often marshy bases, leading into the adjacent nar-
row bottoms. By the burrowing of gophers, the bottoms of Squaw
Creek and a few other streams are rendered dangerous for horses to
pass over, and their banks are so steep and marshy as to render them,
almost impassable, as far up as their sources.
94 HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
TIMBER.
Soutla of Oregon the country consists mostly of timbered land.
Near the streams in the northern part of the county, but few trees are
seen, and they are generally either of small growth or shrubs. On the
banks is sometimes a fringe of willow, white maple, American elm, box
elder, greenbrier, grape and cormus. On the bottoms, black walnut,
honey locust, coralberry, chokeberry, red and American elm, wahoo,
sumach, cormus and gooseberry occur.
The following is a list of trees and shrubs in Holt County : Crab-
apple, white ash, prickly ash, blackberry, bladdernut, buckeye, box-el-
der, buttonbush, blackberry, chokecherry, coffeetree, cottonwood, Amor-
pha canescens, Am. fruticosa, coralberry, cormus sericea, cormus csperifo-
lia gooseberry, hackberry, hazel, shellbark hickory, thick shellbark hick-
ory, pignut hickory, ironwood, honey locust, white maple, mulberry, lin-
den, chinquepin oak, sarsaparilla, burr oak, rock-chestnut oak, scarlet oak,
red oak, pin oak, pawpaw, American plum, rose, rosa lucida, redbud,
sycamore, sumach, poison oak, thorn, black walnut, redroot and wahoo.
The Missouri bottoms afford an excellent supply of good timber.
PRAIRIE.
' About one-third of the county is prairie— fully one-half of the
Missouri bottom is prairie. The main prairie districts of the county
are to be found, as a general thing, in Benton, Union, Liberty, Clay,
Nodaway and Lincoln, and present an undulating surface, rather roll-
ing, but admirably adapted to tillage, and being productive in the high-
est degree.
SOIL.
Poor land is scarcely known in Holt County; the broken hills near
the rivers are sometimes poor, and on the prairie between Squaw Creek
and the Tarkio the soil is rather thin. Between Big and Little Tarkio,
in township sixty-three, the soil is rich, and lies well for cultivation,
excepting a broken strip, three-quarters of a mile in width, lying along
the blufts. A rich belt, one-quarter of a mile to one mile in width, of
gently sloping land connects the bluffs and extends from the north line
of township sixty-two, to the north line of township fifty-nine. The
" bluff" washed from the hills above is the principal ingredient in this
soil. This land slopes off gently, and is capable of producing fine
crops, and the steep hillsides, which have often thirty to forty degrees
ascent, produce crops of corn and wheat.
South of Oregon, and lying between the Missouri bluffs and Noda-
way River, the soil is based on the bluff aid disintegrated limestone.
HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY. 95
The very broken country does not exceed a mile in width, while beyond
the rich, hilly, black-oak land extends for several miles. Then we have
rich prairies and thicket land. The southern portion is suitable for
most crops. The upland prairies, toward the north and northeast of the
county, are high, rolling and rich, with fertile, beautiful valleys between
the hills. The bluff knobs, seem to have been left by Nature for vine-
yards.
' STREAMS.
The streams and water courses are numerous, veining the surface of
the county, in almost every direction, and furnishing an ample supply of
water in ordinary seasons for all purposes.
Big Tarkio rises in Montgomery County, Iowa, a distance of more
than one hundred and fifty miles, enters Holt County within a few miles
of the northwestern corner, and flows through the Great Bottom and
empties into the Missouri River near its intersection with Oiler's Base
Line.
Little Tarkio rises in the central part of Atchison County, enters
Holt County, about eight miles east of the northwest corner of the
county, and enters the Missouri bottom, about one mile east of Craig,
thence meandering through the bottom, enters what is now known as
the slough, about half a mile north of Forest City. This stream form-
erly emptied into the Missouri River, about fifteen miles below its pres-
ent mouth, but the changes made by that treacherous stream cut it off
opposite Forest City twenty years ago.
Squaw Creek rises in the southern part of Atchison County, and
flowing in a southwesterly direction, enters the Missouri bottom two
miles north of Mound City, and thence continuing in a more southerly
course, it flows into the Little Tarkio, near Bigelow. Its principal trib-
utaries are Ross Branch, Hog Branch, Donan's Branch and Porter's
Branch.
Davis Creek rises in the northeastern part of the county, flows
southwest and empties into Squaw Creek. Pierson's Branch, Kinsey
Creek, Luckhardt's Branch, Mill Creek, Easter Branch, Hardin's Branch,
Nicholl's Creek, Hickory Creek, Hog Creek, Higley Creek and Rolling
Fork, are all small water courses, running in different directions through
the county, constituting a great net-work in that system of drainage
which renders Holt County one of the best watered and best farming
districts in the state.'
The Nodaway River is the largest stream touching the county,
excepting the Missouri. The Nodaway rises in Iowa, and flows along
the eastern border of the county, affording the finest water power in
Northwest Missouri. In fact, many of the streams above mentioned,
furnished excellent mill sites, which have been utilized from the days
96 HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
of the pioneer to the present time (1882). The Nodaway was, when
first discovered, considered a navigable stream. During the year 1871,
a steamboat, of light draft, ascended several miles above its mouth, but
its course is too tortuous and narrow to admit of successful navigation.
LAKES.
There are in the county a number of lakes, among which are
Impassable Lake, Tarkio, Wallace and Lovelady Lakes, which generally
abound in fish and water-fowl.
COAL.
Mr. A. Kunkell.'on Mill Creek, near Oregon, says that he found a
four foot vein of good coal at the depth of 665 feet. Whether it can be
found at this depth in paying quantities is extremely problematical.
Professor G. C. Broadhead, who made a geological survey of the county
in 1872, says, in his report of that survey, "that the first workable seam
of coal in the county is 1,170 feet below the surface." He intimates
that the seam of Lexington coal could be reached aj this depth.
GRINDSTONES.
The sandstone quarry, at Forest City, although rather soft, affords
a useful material for making grindstones ; it is a tolerably coarse-
grained drab, or gray, sandstone, somewhat micaceous ; is easily quar-
ried and works free. It is used for cappings, and door and window fac-
ings, and makes beautiful mantles and jambs.
QUARRIES OF LIMESTONE.
There are very many good quarries near Forest City, and for six
miles southeast ; also on Mill Creek, Brockman's Branch and Nicholl's
Creek. The texture of the stone is often fine grained. No. 84, occur-
ring about five miles southeast of Forest City, and on Brockman's
Branch, would look well polished.
THE MINERAL RESOURCES
of Lewis Township are, as yet, in a crude and undeveloped state. There
is, however, no doubt in the minds of those who have, with any degree
of intelligence, investigated the matter, that the rugged hills of the bluff
region abound in valuable, if not precious deposits of mineral. Daniel
Kunkel claims to have discovered, about 1874-5, at a depth of 600 feet, a
vein of excellent coal, in his mill near Oregon. About the year 1875 an
interest in this character of enterprise was developed on the part of cer-
HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY. 97
tain progressive citizens of Holt County, and a result of this effort is
thus graphically described in the St. Joseph Morning Herald of August
or September, 1875, by a correspondent of that able journal, whose
descriptive letters, in those days, rendered the paper as interesting as a
first-class magazine : " There yet remained another object of interest,
and source of revenue to the neighborhood, and determined to do the
sights of this part of Holt, we started up' the bluff along the railroad
track for the purpose of examining the Cement Works that have been
recently established about two and a-half miles south by west of Oregon.
Following our indefatigable guide, we again mounted the rocky wood-
land bluff, and toiled onward to the. newly discovered quarries, whence
is excavated the peculiar petrous formation from which a valuable quality
of cement is prepared. Having inspected the quarry and its surround-
ings, we again started on our tour of exploration. One remarkable fea-
ture of our expedition was that, go in what direction we might, we never
were more than two and a-half or three miles from Oregon. We
at last reached the works. The building is a spacious and lofty frame
structure, erected some six years ago, at a cost of about $5,000, for the
purpose of an elevator, and was fitted up in good style, with powerful
engine, etc. But either for want of the necessary means, enterprise, or
some other requisite, the Oregon Elevator Company, as it was styled,
failed, and the building remained idle till about a year ago, when it was
sold, at sheriff's sale, and became, with all its fixtures, the property of
James B. Payne, one of the present parties in the cement factory. The
machinery includes, with other appliances, a run of burrs, and was, for
some time, used for grinding corn. The new enterprise inaugurated
here by Messrs. Rhodes & Payne, promises to be a complete success, and
is regarded by the skeptics in the county as a more tangible source of
remuneration than the gold mine. William Baskins, of Oregon, is gen-
eral agent for this cement, and is now prepared to fill all orders. The
kiln is capable of burning rock enough in one day to furnish fifty barrels
of cement, and the mill can be readily made to grind the same amount
in twelve hours. Mr. Rhodes is a practical plasterer, and has been pros-
pecting for the past two years for cement rock. It appears that he has
discovered two qualities of this mineral, both of which he has manufac-
tured. One of them produces a darker colored cement than the other.
Their several properties have not yet been fully tested, but the lighter
colored product is said by competent judges to surpass in quality the St.
Louis, and to be little inferior to the celebrated Louisville Cement.
There are seven and a-half acres of ground attached to the works."
This cement continued to be made here for some time, and found a
ready market, but the company being financially unable to compete with
wealthy eastern manufacturers who had determined to break down, at
all hazards, this young enterprise, the same was ultimately suspended.
98 HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
GOLD MINES.
During the summer of 1875, a considerable interest, if not excite-
ment, was caused in Holt County, in consequence of the alleged dis-
covery of gold in the neighborhood of Oregon. That gold, in a very
limited quantity, was found in this locality, is believed by many disin-
terested parties, who are men of intelligence in the community. Others,
however, who were never present at the mines, or who failed to see any
gold taken out while there, denounce the whole thing as a preposterous
humbug.
The same interesting correspondent thus refers to the gold discovery
of that region :
" Blundering and stumbling amid rocks and the fallen debris of
forest monarchs, that had lived their day in a forgotten generation, we
gained, at last, the summit of a bluff range, far below the steep declivity
of which the murmur of a swollen stream warned us of our proximity to
the auriferous region. Guided by the sound, we soon gained the brink
of this water course, which proved to be Swank Branch. Following the
course of this stream, a few minutes walk brought us in full view of the
gloomy portal leading to the mysterious cavern, which is said to con-
tain the rich deposits of gold for which this, till recently, wild and
unoccupied locality is becoming renowned.
"Approaching, we discovered the arch of the tunnel to be low, less
than six feet to the summit, narrow and, as we afterwards discovered,
this mine , is unsupported through its entire length of 230 feet by any-
thing save the strength developed in the cohesive properties of the soil.
"The aspect of the locality was singularly weird and solitary, and
no sound save the tramp of our footsteps on the debris of the mine con-
tributed to break the loneliness of the scene. A smothered and rumb-
ling echo from the mouth of the mine alone responded to our shout ;
and, concluding the place deserted, we wandered off in a westerly
direction, around the base of the bluff, when a small house appeared in
view, from the inmates of which we learned, on approaching, that work
had been abandoned in the tunnel we had observed, and that the hands
were engaged in the new mine above. We accordingly returned, passed
beyond the entrance of the long tunnel, and arrived at the second, which
presented from its more elevated arch a rather more inviting appear-
ance, and revealing in the dim and distant perspective the feeble glim-
mer of a light. Guided by this beacon, we descended a gradual slope,
ninety-five feet into the bowels of the bluff. The temperature without
was exceedingly warm, and by the time we had reached the extremity
of this tunnel, the atmosphere was oppressively damp and chilly, and,
as there was nothing to look at but the end of a hole, with one man dig-
ging dirt that did not seem to our inexperienced eyes to have anything
HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY. 99
in it but dirt, and another wheeling it out, we beat a hasty retreat into
daylight and sunshine. Returning to the residence of Mr. Levi Crouser,
one of the proprietors of the mines, we were favored by that gentleman
with an opportunity of viewing several rich and beautiful specimens of
quartz and wire gold, taken from the first mine.
" These, we were informed by Mr. Crouser, were pronounced by Dr.
Hays, of Boston, the celebrated assayist, to be the richest specimens
that had come under his observation. Mr. C. also showed us several
minerals said to be ruby and sapphire of unusual richness. We were
also shown a remarkable fossil, evidently the tooth and gum of some
strange animaL The first tunnel, on which work is at present suspended,
slopes with a gradual descent two hundred and thirty feet to the bed
rock. About the middle of this subterranean gallery, a singular pit was
encountered, the aperture or rather the apertures, for there are several
of them, ramifying from the main orifice at various angles, and to, as yet,
unsounded depths. This is unmistakably the crater of a volcano, extinct
probably thousands, perhaps millions of years before Crouser & Co.
began to bore for gold or anything else."
"The location of the mine is near the waters of Swank Branch, a
tributary of Tarkio Creek, and is about two and a half miles due south
of Oregon. It is owned by a joint stock company, consisting of Levi
Crouser, John H. Mclntyre and J. Ham.
"The first discovery was made by Mr. Mclntyre, in digging a well
near the site of the mine, about two years ago. They immediately
began to prospect ; and the success which has since crowned their
efforts seems to be highly encouraging. There are at present five men
employed in the mine."
Such was the report in the fall of 1875. No one, it seems, so far,
has grown rich from the yield of the mines, which have passed into the
hands of their present (1882) owner, Ira B. Stocking, at one time a jew-
eler and watchmaker of Oregon.
CHAPTER IV.
HOLT COUNTY ORGANIZED.
ACT ORGANIZING HOLT COUNTY— TERRITORY OF NEATAWAH - HON. D. R. HOLT— FIRST
COUNTY COURT-ITS PROCEEDINGS-ORDERS-FERRIES- TOWNSHIPS ORGANIZED
—FIRST ELECTION— REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS ON COUNTY SEAT-SUBSEQUENT
PROCEEDINGS — REVENUE— FIRST CIRCUIT COURT— ITS PROCEEDINGS — FIRST
GRAND JURY — INDICTMENTS -FIRST INSTRUMENTS RECORDED — EARLY MAR-
RIAGES.
The original act organizing the county of Holt reads as follows :
" That portion of territory included within the following described
limits, to wit: Beginning in the middle of the main channel of the
Missouri River, at a point where the range line dividing ranges thirty-
six and thirty-seven would intersect the same ; thence north with said
range line to the middle of the main channel of the Nodaway River;
thence up the middle of the main channel of said river, to the northern
boundary line of the state ; thence west with said boundary line, to the
middle of the main channel of the Missouri River; thence down said
river, in the middle of the main channel thereof, to the place of begin-
ning, shall be called Holt, in honor of David R. Holt, Esq., late repre-
sentative from Platte County, any law to the contrary notwithstanding."
This act was approved February 15, 1841. On January 29, 1841,
some seventeen days previously to the passage of the act we have given
above, the legislature had erected the same territory into the county of
Nodaway, hence the words " any law to the contrary notwithstanding."
The present boundaries of Holt County are as follows :
'Beginning in the middle of the main channel of the Missouri
River, at a point where the line dividing ranges thirty-six and thirty-
seven, extended, would intersect the same ; thence south with said
range line to the middle of the main channel of the Nodaway River ;
thence up the middle of the main channel of said river, to the line of
Atchison County ; thence west with said line to the middle of the main
channel of the Missouri River; thence down the middle of the main
channel thereof, to the beginning."
Holt County, when first formed, embraced Atchison County ; that
part of Nodaway lying west of Nodaway River, and extended north ten
miles into the state of Iowa — Missouri claiming jurisdiction over a strip
of country ten miles wide along the southern line of Iowa — the dispute
concerning the boundary line, not at that date having been settled.
HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY. 10 1
In January, 1841, all that part of Holt County lying north of a line,
running from a point on the Missouri River, opposite the house of H.
Wallace (now known as the G. Schulte place), to the main crossing of
the Big Tarkio, about a mile above Craig, thence northeasterly to the
state line, was cut off by the legislature, and named Allen County, but
left under the jurisdiction of Holt County Court, in the same manner as
the territory of Neatawah had been attached to Buchanan County.
February 14, 1845, Allen County was abolished, Atchison and Nodaway
were organized, and Holt County was thus reduced to its present
limits.
The first act naming and defining the boundaries of Nodaway
County, approved January 29, 1841, directed the circuit and county
courts of that county to be held at the dwelling house of William Thorp,
until the permanent seat of justice could be established, or until the
county court otherwise ordered. That act also named Travis Finley, of
Clay County, Edward Smith, of Clinton County, and John A. Wil-
• liams, of Daviess County, commissioners to select the permanent seat
of justice, and after the passage of the act organizing the same terri-
tory into Holt County (the name simply being changed from Nodaway
to Holt), the parties named as commissioners in the act organizing
Nodaway County, proceeded in due course of time to select the perma-
nent seat of justice. .
TERRITORY OF NEATAWAH.
This territory contained about 3,200 square miles, and extended
ten miles north of the present state line, between Iowa and Missouri;
embracing the counties of Andrew, Holt, Atchison and Nodaway, so
that the Buchanan County Court held jurisdiction over a country almost
as large as the combined states of Rhode Island and Delaware. The
territory of Neatawah was abolished in 1841.
HON. DAVID R. HOLT.
Shakespeare intimates that there is nothing in a name, but a name
sometimes means a great deal. In many instances it indicates, in a meas-
ure, the character of the people who settle the county, and who have
given to it its distinctive characteristics. Names are sometimes given
by accident. In this instance, however, the county did not receive its
name by accident, but the christening took place, after mature delibera-
tion and by general consent. In order that our readers may know some-
thing of the man after whom the county was named, we will here present
of him a brief biographical sketch :
Hon. David Rice Holt was born in Virginia in about the year 1805.
He was both a minister of the gospel and a physician, and had attained
an enviable standing in each. He was a minister of the Presbyterian
102 HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
Church (Old School), in which he was reared. He moved from Virginia
to Saline County, Missouri, between i830and 1834. Soon after the Platte
Purchase was opened for settlement Dr. Holt came to Platte County,
where he located on wild and unsurveyed land. Soon after his arrival
in Platte the county was organized. The first election for a member of
the Legislature occurred in August, 1840. Under the most favorable
circumstances, new counties generally, require much local legislation,
and especially was this the case in Platte County. Hence the people of
that county, fully realizing their wants, and wishing to send a man of
superior legislative ability, instinctively turned to Dr. Holt as the only
proper person for the emergency. The Constitution of Missouri at that
time prohibited ministers of the gospel from serving as members of the
Legislature. This rendered the position of the doctor extremely
unpleasant. Upon the one hand, he disliked to refuse the importunities
of his countrymen, who thought him to be the only person in their midst
who could bring order out of confusion ; and upon the other, he regretted
the idea of severing his connection with the pulpit. He finally, however,
yielded to their solicitations, and was elected to the Legislature without
opposition, in 1841.* Although the doctor had no legislative experience,
he was at once selected as one of the three members of a committee,
from the Upper and Lower House, whose duty it was to settle the accounts
of the Auditor and Treasurer before the meeting of the Legislature. The
session had scarcely commenced before the doctor was taken sick, and
after lingering some two weeks it became apparent to him and his friends
that he could not live. His wife was written to, and although she left
her home promptly, horseback, — about the only possible mode of travel
in those days — she did not reach Jefferson City until the day of his death.
He was buried on the 20th of December, 1840, in the State Cemetery,
with appropriate honors, and Gen. A. W. Doniphan, who was at the same
time a member of the Legislature and a friend of the doctor, announced
his death to the Assembly. He married a Miss White, a sister of Cap-
tain John H. White, who once represented, respectively, the counties of
Platte and Andrew. She was an accomplished and beautiful woman.
The doctor was nearly or quite six feet in height ; perfectly erect ; cast
in the mould of admirable proportions, and active in his movements.
He was a ripe scholar, a graceful and fluent speaker, possessed a clear,
bright face, sparkling and brilliant eyes — especially when speaking in the
pulpit or on the rostrum. He was fair and manly in debate, his bearing
was courteous, and his social qualities were of the highest order. His
attainments were great and varied. He devoted much time to his two
professions, yet never lost his taste for the ancient or modern classics
and general literature. He was deeply versed on all subjects in the range
of polite erudition and scholarship, and a man of untiring energy and of
indomitable will.
HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY. IO3
COUNTY ORGANIZATION.
March 24, 1841, the first County Court of Holt County convened at
the house of William Thorp, on the northwest quarter section 12, town-
ship 59, range 33, now (1882) in Lewis Township, "adjoining the west
line of Forbes Township, and owned by the heirs of James Stephenson.
Harrison G. Noland, James Crowley and Joshua Adkins then and
there produced from his Excellency, Thomas Reynolds, Governor of the
State of Missouri, their several commissions appointing them Justices
of the Holt County Court, together with the oath of office therein
endorsed, which were ordered to be certified for record. These com-
missions were dated " City of Jefferson, February 16, 1841." The record
of the proceedings of that day sets forth that the oath of office was
subscribed and sworn to by these parties, before William Thorp, Jr.,
Justice of the Peace.
The first order of the court passed, on its organization, was the
appointment of Harrison G. Noland president of the same. At this
meeting Bayless B. Grigsby was appointed clerk pro tern, and, before its
adjournment, clerk until the legal termination of said office. His secu-
rities were William Thorp, Jr., and G. B. Thorp. The*second order was
the enrollment of John W. Kelley, as attorney, to practice in said court.
On the same day, it was " ordered that Joshua Horn and Josiah
Shelton be granted a grocer's license, to be kept at their residence, for
six months next ensuing, by paying a state tax thereon of ten dollars."
The court, on that day, further ordered that R. M. Barkhurst be granted
a license to keep a ferry across the Nodaway River, at the rapids thereof,
for the space of twelve months, without paying tax thereon, at the fol-
lowing rates, to wit : For crossing a man, 6\ cents ; for crossing a man
and horse, I2§ cents ; for crossing a two-horse wagon and team, empty,
27h cents ; for crossing a two-horse wagon and team, loaded, 75 cents ;
for crossing a six-horse wagon and team, empty, 50 cents ; for crossing
a six-horse wagon and team, loaded, $1 ; for crossing loose horses and
•cattle, each, 3 cents ; for crossing hogs and sheep, each head, ij cents.
It was then and there further " ordered that Green B. Thorp be and
is hereby appointed assessor for Holt County for the year 1841." It is
further recorded that the said G. B. Thorp forthwith entered into bond
with Wm. Thorp, as his security, in the penal sum of $500, conditioned
according to law, which bond was approved by the court. It was finally
"'ordered that the sheriff advertise at three of the most public places in
the county, that the County Court of Holt County will meet at Wil-
liam Thorp's, on the second Thursday in April next. Whereupon the
first session of the county court adjourned till the above specified day
and date. H. G. NOLAND,
B. B. Grisby, Clerk. JOSHUA ADKINS,
JAMES CROWLEY."
104 HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
At the special adjourned term of the Holt County Court, begun and
held at the house of William Thorp, in Holt County, Missouri, on the
second Thursday of April, 1841 (judges and clerk as above), it was
ordered that the county be divided into three municipal townships, to wit:
Nodaway Township. — Beginning at the mouth of Nodaway River,
and thence up said river to the point of intersection with range line
dividing ranges thirty-seven and thirty-eight ; thence south with said
range line to the Missouri River; thence to the point of beginning
with the Missouri.
It will be thus -seen that Nodaway Township included, originally,
a strip of territory not more than six miles in width near its base or
southern limits, and tapering more or less gradually, narrowed to a
point where the Nodaway River touches the range line of thirty-seven
and thirty-eight, in Atchison County, fifteen or sixteen miles north of
the present (1882) northern boundary of Holt County, and thus embrac-
ing a strip of country now included within the limits of Nodaway
County.
Lewis Township — Beginning at the middle of the main channel of
the Missouri River where the range line between thirty-seven and
thirty-eight intersects said river; thence north to the northern boundary
of the county ; thence west to the High Bridge Creek ; thence down
said creek to the Missouri River, thence down the Missouri River to the
point of beginning.
Nishnebotna Township, also organized at this term of court,
included a strip of territory between the Nishnebotna and Missouri
Rivers from the mouth of the former to the northern limits of the
state, and consequently comprised no part of the territory embraced
within the present area of Holt County, which area at the original
organization of the county, included only the townships of Lewis and
Nodaway. Out of these two, with various modifications, from time to
time, have been erected the present (1882) townships, ten in number, of
Lincoln, Union, Liberty, Clay, Bigelow, Benton, Hickory, Nodaway,
Forbes and Lewis, which latter for the convenience of election purposes,
is divided into two precincts, known as East and West Lewis.
The following extraordinary enactment of this potent and astute
court at this, its second term, will doubtless be read with astonishment:
" Ordered, that the act concerning groceries, etc., passed by the
legislature in the year 1829, shall not extend to nor be in force in Noda-
way County"
It would seem that these wise judges were not only state rights
men, but believed in the application of the cardinal principles of their
political creed to county organizations. At this term Robert H. Rus-
sell was appointed allotting justice for Lewis Township.
HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY. 105
FIRST ELECTION.
In May, 1841, occurred the first election of justices of the peace in
Holt County, with the following result : In Lewis Township : John
Gibson and Gallatin Adkins ; John Lewis was, at the same time, elected
constable of Lewis Township.
Abraham Brown and James C. Templeton were elected justices for
Nodaway Township.
John R. Jackson and Jacob McKissock were elected justices, and
James Handley, constable for Nishnebotna Township, then a part of
Holt, but, as before stated, included in what is now Atchison County.
June 14, 1841, the county court, which had heretofore assembled at
William Thorp's, convened at the residence of Gilbert Ray, two and a
half miles east of the site of the present town of Oregon. At this
term Joseph Brenard was granted a license to keep a ferry across the
Nishnebotna River, at his residence thereon, for the space of twelve
months, by paying a tax of two dollars. At this term of court was
rendered by the county seat commissioners, as fully set forth under the
caption of " Oregon," their report on the same. At the same term,
David Templeton was appointed County Surveyor of Holt County, to
hold office till the legal termination of the same ; and William P. Steph-
enson was appointed administrator of the estate of Blank Stephenson,
deceased. This was the first appointment of the kind in the county.
REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS ON COUNTY SEAT.
"June 23D, 1841.
" In pursuance of an act passed by the last Missouri Legislature,
appointing the undersigned as commissioners to select a permanent
seat of justice for Holt County, and in pursuance also of an order of the
county court of Holt County, made at the May Term, 1841, designating
the 7th day of June then next ensuing, and requiring the undersigned
to assemble on that day, at the house of Mrs. Jackson, to make said loca-
tion ; and, whereas, John A. Williams, one of the undersigned, assembled
at said place and time, and no other commissioners having appeared,
he, the said John A. Williams, adjourned until the 21st day of June
(this instant), when the undersigned commissioners convened, and hav-
ing been first duly sworn according to law, proceeded to discharge the
duties devolving on them, according to the act of the legislature, and
the requisitions of the order of the county court. After having made
an examination for a suitable site whereon to locate a permanent seat
of justice for said county, we have selected the following quarter section
of land, for said county seat, lying in range 38, township 60, and the
east half of the southeast quarter of section 27, and the west half of the
southwest quarter of section 26, which said seat of justice is to be
known and called " Finley." Given under our hands this 23d day of
June, 1841. "JOHN A. WILLIAMS,
"EDWARD SMITH,
"TRAVIS FINLEY."
106 HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
It appears that the action of the commissioners above referred to,
in locating the quarter for the town site on two separate sections, was in
violation of an established precedent, if not statutory provision restrict-
ing the same to one section, and in consequence involved the county in
no little embarrassment. The east eighty included a portion of a quar-
ter section preempted by Roland Burnett, and the west eighty of another
section by Larkin. Packwood.
At the September term of the county court, which was convened at
the residence of Gilbert Ray, September 15, 1841, it was "Ordered by the
court that the commissioner for the seat of justice for this county, pro-
ceed to lay off said seat of justice into lots, eighty feet in front and one
hundred and fifty feet in length, and squares containing eight lots, with
an avenue sixty feet wide, and one alley fourteen feet in width, making
four streets, two nortk and south and two east and west, one of which
on each side of the public square, each eighty feet wide ; all other streets
to be sixty feet wide ; the stake stuck by the judges to be the center of
of the public square. Provided, that he divide into lots, avenues and
alleys, from the said public square east, only one square, south two, west
two, and north two squares, and that he make to this court, at its next
session, a report of his proceedings, making a plat of the town."
" Ordered, that the commissioner advertise in ten most public places
in Holt, five in Andrew, and five in Buchanan County, a sale of lots in
the county seat of Holt County, on the 21st day of October, 1841, on the
following terms : One-tenth in hand, and the balance in three semi-
annual installments."
At the October term following, it was ordered by the county court
"that the commissioner be authorized and required to make the public
square of said county seat at or near the stake now stuck." The commis-
sioner referred to was John Thorp, who had resigned the office of deputy
clerk of the Holt County Court, at the July, 1841, term of the same, and
accepted the position of county seat commissioner.
It appears that, previously to the above mentioned order of sale, the
county court, at its July term, had ordered the first sale of lots in the
cojjnty seat, to take place September 1, 1841.
At the August term, 1841, of the county court, James Kimsey was
nominated to fill the vacancy occasioned by the resignation of Joshua
Adkins, the first official to resign an office in the county.
At the September term, 1841, county court met at the residence of
G. Ray, Judges Noland, Crowley and Kimsey on the bench. The latter
produced his commission from his Excellency, Thomas Reynolds, Gov-
ernor of the State, and was duly sworn. At this term the following
orders were made and recorded :
" It is considered by the court that five hundred dollars is necessary
to be raised for defraying the expenses of the county for the present
HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY. 107
year, and that on all subjects of taxation the county tax shall exceed the
state tax one hundred per cent., and on all licenses, ferries excepted, the
county tax shall exceed that of the state one hundred per cent.; on
ferries the county and state tax shall be the same."
"Ordered, that R. M. Barkhurst be required to enter into bond as
Collector of Holt County, in the sum of one thousand dollars."
" Ordered, that Gilbert Ray be appointed Treasurer of Holt County."
The following rather original order closed the proceedings of this
term of the court :
'•Ordered that, whereas it is the opinion of this court, that as the
county is poor and thinly settled, it is not the interest of this county
that the grand jurors thereof should be paid. It is therefore ordered
that no compensation shall be paid to the grand jurors of this county."
At the October term of 1841, held at the residence of Gilbert Ray,
the Collector of Holt County made the following settlement, to wit :
Received on ferry license . $ 2 00
For County 2 00
Merchants' license, state tax 26 12^
County tax 52 25
Total : $82 371
RICHARD M. BARKHURST, Collector.
Court then adjourned to meet at the house of Larkin Packwood,
October 21, 1841.
At the January term, 1842, R. M. Barkhurst presented his delinquent
list for taxes during the year 1841, which amounted to $15.50 state tax,
and $31.02 to the county. At the February term, 1842, it was ordered
"that the Courts of Record be hereafter held at Rachel Jackson's in this
county."
At the same term, " Gilbert Ray, Treasurer, comes into court and
makes settlement for the preceding year, and has a balance of twenty-
five cents on hand. He is therefore charged with the same." The Sher-
iff also comes into court and makes settlement for county tax on the tax
book for 1841, and is charged with the sum of two hundred and sixty-six
dollars and twenty-three and three-quarters cents.
CIRCUIT COURT.
The first term of the circuit court, within and for the County of
Holt, was held at the house of William Thorp, commencing on the 4th
day of March, A. D. 1841. The record in reference thereto, is as follows :
" March Term, 1841.
"At a circuit court, held for the County of Holt, in the State of Mis-
souri, at the house of William Thorp, in said county, on Thursday, the
108 HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
4th day of March, 1841, was present, the Hon. David R. Atchison,
who presented a commission from His Excellency, Thomas Reynolds,
Governor of this State, appointing him judge of the twelfth judicial
circuit, which commission, together with the testimonials thereon
endorsed, are ordered to be recorded, which are in the following words
and figures, to wit :
The State of Missouri.
To all who shall see these presents, greeting:
Know ye, that it having been certified to me, that the Senate of
Missouri has advised and consented to the nomination of David R.
Atchison, as Judge of the Twelfth Judicial Circuit, now, therefore, in
the name and on behalf of the State of Missouri, I, Thomas Reynolds,
Governor thereof, do hereby commission him judge of the aforesaid cir-
cuit, and do authorize and empower him to discharge the duties of said
office, according to law. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my
hand and caused the great seal of the State of Missouri, to be affixed at
Jefferson City, this first day of February, in the year of our Lord one
thousand eight hundred and forty-one, of the independence of the United
States the sixty-fifth, and of this state the twenty-first.
By the Governor,
James L. Minor, Sec'y of State. THOMAS REYNOLDS."
ENDORSED. — I, David R. Atchison, do solemnly swear, that I will
support the constitution of the United States, and the constitution of
this state, and faithfully demean myself in the office of Judge of the
Twelfth Judicial Circuit, in the State of Missouri.
DAVID R. ATCHISON.
Subscribed and sworn to before me, a justice of the peace, in and
for Clay County, in the State of Missouri, this 13th day of February, in
the year of our Lord eighteen hundred and forty-one.
ABRAHAM SHAFER, J. P.
General Andrew S. Hughes was appointed clerk pro tern, and Wil-
liam Thorp was appointed sheriff. Peter H. Burnett had received the
appointment of prosecuting attorney from the governor.
• The names of the first grand jurors were : Joshua Adkins, Isaac
Massic, Gilbert Ray, George Drane, Harman G. Noland, Green B.
Thorp, B. B. Grigsby, R. H. Russell, Thomas Crowley, Roland Burnett,
John Gibson, John Russell, John Starrill, James Kimsey, Henry Holder,
John Morgan and David Jones. Harman G. Noland was foreman. Of
this body, R. H. Russell, now (1882) judge of the probate court of Holt
County, and Roland Burnett, both residents of the town of Oregon,
alone survive.
The first bills of indictment were the following:
" The State of Missouri against Joseph Roberts for trading with
Indians," The same against Henry Casner for robbery.
HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY. IO9
The first case that was called and tried in court (on motion), was
the State of Missouri against Jonas Casner, who was under a recogniz-
ance to keep the peace. The grand jurors having no further business
before them, were discharged from further service.
On the 6th of March, 1841, Andrew S. Hughes resigned his office
of clerk pro tern, of the Circuit Court, which resignation was accepted ;
and, thereupon, Bayless B. Grigsby was appointed Clerk of the Circuit
Court of Holt County, to hold his office till his successor should be
elected and qualified. The said B. B. Grigsby then took the oath
required by law and entered and acknowledged two several bonds, with
Harman G. Noland, Rowland Burnett and John Gibson as securities.
One of these was in the penalty of $5,000 conditioned for the faithful
performance of his duties as Circuit Clerk of Holt County, and the other
in the penalty of $1,500 conditioned for the faithful performance of his
duties as Recorder of Holt County. Both of these being inspected by
the court, were approved, and ordered to be certified for record in the
office of the Secretary of State.
June 24, 1841, Circuit Court met at the house of Gilbert Ray, such
being the place designated by Holt County Court for holding courts of
record till the place should by law be changed. D. R. Atchison, Judge;
R. M. Barkhurst, Sheriff, and Bayless B. Grigsby, Clerk. The commis-
sioners report having selected a location for county seat, which they
name Finley.
At this term of court, on motion of Peter H. Burnett, prosecuting
attorney for Holt County, Prince L. Hudgens, James B. Gardenhire,
Benjamin Hays, Edwin Toole, James S.Thomas, Solomon S. Leonard,
Lansford M. Hastings, Frederick Greenough, James Baldwin, John M.
Young, Christopher P. Brown, Elias P. West, and Theodore D. Wheaton,
were ordered enrolled as attorneys of the Holt Circuit Court.
Richard M. Barkhurst's bond as sheriff of Holt County, conditioned
in the sum of $5,000, for the faithful performance of the duties of said
office, with Gilbert Ray, James C. Templeton, John Robinson, and Abra-
ham Brown as securities, approved.
The first case that came up for trial was the State vs. Joseph Roberts
on indictment found by the grand jury at the (first) March term for trading
with the Indians. The sheriff who, it appears, failed to find the defend-
ant, feeling himself under the necessity of using some Latin term and
not clearly comprehending the meaning of any, perhaps intending to
convey the idea non est, made a return in the case of " nolle prosequi.''
In the case of the State vs. Henry Casner, the court awarded an
alias capias to Carroll County.
The clerk of the court was ordered, at this term, to certify to the
Secretary of State that there were four townships in the county and
that there was not, within the limits of the same, a single volume of the
I IO HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
laws of Missouri. It must be borne in mind that the limits of the
county, at this period, included, besides its present area, the whole
extent of what is now Atchison County.
The second grand jury empaneled served at the June term of 1841,
and consisted of John M. Briggs, Job Carter, Elias Davidson, Smith
Mclntyre, Benjamin Davidson, William Stephenson, John Blair, Jeremiah
Baldwin, Holdin, Nathan Robinson, Riley H. Roland, Zedekiah Davis, 9
Benjamin Marlow, Thomas Keeny, Abijah Duncan, Jacob Davis, and I
James Miller. John M. Briggs was chosen foreman. The following
indictments were found by this body : The State vs. Joseph Roberts
for trading with an Indian ; the State vs. David Templeton charged
with assault with intent to kill. (Templeton was tried at the October
term following and acquitted.) State vs. Seriah Stevens and Perry
Curtis, for forgery ; State vs. George Comegy, for peddling without
license, also State vs. James and William for same offense ; and State
vs. Charles Bennett, for selling goods without license. This, the second
grand jury, seems to have been a little more fortunate than its prede-
cessor, for we find an order of court granting them, for their services,
fifty dollars and twenty cents.
The first petit jury in Holt County were empanneled at the October
term of the Circuit Court, which met, pursuant to adjournment, at the
house of Gilbert Ray, three and a half miles east of the present town of
Oregon, on a farm now owned by Mrs. Springer.
The jury consisted of George Borchers, the pioneer merchant,
Samuel G. Vest, William H. Cunningham, John Sweare, Jessie Carroll,
John Olfrey, Jacob Tarwater, Abraham Keeney, Silas Pearce, Francis
Cassada, Wm. P. Braden and Thomas Ferguson. The first case tried by
this jury was that of the State vs. Josiah Roberts for trading with the
Indians. The trial resulted in the acquittal of the prisoner.
FIRST RECORDS.
The first instrument recorded is a chattel mortgage, and is as fol-
lows :
This indenture, made and entered into by and between Tolbert
Bass, of the county of Holt and State of Missouri, of the first part, and
Henry Holder, of the county and state aforesaid, of the other part, wit-
nesseth : That the said Tolbert Bass, of the first part, for and in con-
sideration of the sum of thirty-one dollars and eighty-one cents, to him
in hand paid, the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged, hath bar-
gained, sold and conveyed, and doth bargain, sell and convey, by these
presents, unto the said Henry Holder, of the second part, the following
property, to wit : One roan mare 'and colt ; one yoke of oxen and
wagon, and one cow and calf, to hold, have and to hold the same, to
the said Henry Holder, his heirs, executors, administrators and assigns,
and to his and their own proper use and behoof, forever. But the above
HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY. I IT
is made and entered into, and this conveyance is to have effect upon this
condition : That if the said Tolbert Bass, his executors and administra-
tors or assigns, shall and do, well and truly pay, or .cause to be paid
unto the said Henry Holder, his executors, administrators or assigns,
the full sum of thirty-one dollars and eighty-one cents, on or before the
25th day of December, eighteen hundred and forty-two, agreeable to an
obligation of the said Tolbert Bass, for the sum of thirty-one dollars and
eighty-one cents, dated 21st October, 1841, then and in such case these
presents, and every matter and thing herein mentioned and contained
shall cease, determine and be utterly void, anything herein contained
to the contrary notwithstanding, as witness my hand and seal, this 20th
day of October, 1841. TOLBERT BASS.
Attest : B. B. Grigsby.
Filed October 20, 1841. B. B. GRIGSBY, Recorder.
The second instrument is a lease.
This indenture made the 24th day of December, 1841, between Jon-
athan Keeney, of the County of Holt, and State of Missouri, of the one
part, and Lazarus Philips and Jeremiah Philips, of the same county and
state, of the other part, witnesseth, that the said Jonathan Keeney, for
the consideration hereinafter mentioned, hath devised, granted and
leased unto the said L. and J. Philips, the farm and the improvements
thereon, on which the said J. Keeney now resides, together with the dis-
tillery and all the appurtenances attached thereto, two wagons and three
yoke of oxen, two plows and three hoes, and fifty head of hogs. The
said J. Keeney also agrees to aid and assist, as a hand on the farm, and
to have the washing done for the said L. and J. Philips. The said
Keeney has given possession of the above farm, improvements, distillery
and appurtenances, wagons, &c, above specified, to the said L. and J.
Philips, which they are to have the peaceable and quiet possession of,,
and all the profits and increase of the farm, distillery and stock. They
are also to have and to hold until the first day of March, 1843. The said
L. and J. Philips, for the above consideration, bind themselves, their
heirs and administrators, to pay on the first day of March, 1843, to the
said Jonathan Keeney, his heirs, executors and administrators, the sum
of three thousand dollars, good and lawful money of the State of Mis-
souri. They also bind themselves to keep and hold in their possession,
all of the above specified property, nor are they to part with any portion
of it, without the consent of all the parties hereto bound. They are also-
bound to furnish for the maintenance of the said J. Keeney and his fam-
ily, whatever is necessary for their support, out of the proceeds arising
from the farm and stock above described. The said L. and J. Philips
bind themselves to make a good and substantial fence, commencing at
the northeast corner of said Keeney's cornfield, and running east with
the bluff, until it strikes the Tarkio. They are also to put up two tobacco-
houses, each eighteen by twenty feet square, and they are to make other
necessary fencing, such as lots for the keeping of stock in, &c. The said
L. and J. Philips bind and obligate themselves to be faithful, diligent and
attentive to the stock, farm and distillery, and to give due attention to
preserve them from injury. It is further agreed and stipulated between
the parties, that at the expiration of the above lease, to wit : On the first
day of March, 1843, if the above named L. and J. Philips shall well and
112 HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
truly pay unto the said Jonathan Keeney the above named sum of three
thousand dollars, then all the above described property, together with
the profits and increase that shall have arisen therefrom, are to become
and be the property of them, the said L. and J. Philips. But if the said
L. and J. Philips should make default, and fail to make the above pay-
ment at the time they therein bind themselves to do, then the farm,
improvements, distillery and its appurtenances, and the other property
above described, reverts and becomes the property of Jonathan Keeney,
together with the one-half of all the profits and proceeds which may
have arisen from it during the above period, and the other and remain-
ing half of the profits and increase, shall become and be the property of
L. and J. Philips. The said Jonathan Keeney has received, and hereby
acknowledges the receipt of eighteen dollars in hand, paid him, by the
said L. and J. Philips, which is to be deducted out of the amount of the
above three thousand dollars, when the same becomes due.
In witness whereof, the parties have hereunto set their hands and
seals, the day and year first above written.
JONATHAN KEENEY,
LAZARUS PHILIPS,
JEREMIAH PHILIPS.
Signed, sealed and acknowledged in presence of us.
JOHN W. KELLEY,
ROBERT NOCHETT.
Filed the 5th day of January, 1842.
B. B. GRIGSBY, Clerk.
By H. LlNVlLLE, D. P.
EARLY MARRIAGES.
Cupid, the God of Love, whose universal sway over the hearts and
affections of mankind, has been commensurate with the history of our
race, early manifested his presence among the pioneers of Holt County,
as will be seen from the following verbatim copies of a few of the earlier
marriages.
John A. Benson to Miss Kimsey. — This is to certify that on the
18th day of April, 1841, the rites of matrimony were solemnized by the
undersigned, between John A. Benson and Kimsey, both of the
County of Holt, and State of Missouri. G. B. THORP,
July 7, 1841. An ordained minister.
Certificate :
STATE OF MISSOURI, )
County of Holt. f *
I, Bayless B. Grigsby, Recorder of the County of Holt, aforesaid, do
certify that the foregoing marriage was duly recorded by me on the 7th
day of July, 1841. BAYLESS B. GRIGSBY, Recorder.
This is to certify that on the 25th day of July, 1841, John M. Briggs
and Elizabeth Follen were joined together in the holy state of matri-
mony by the undersigned, an ordained minister of the gospel. Given
under my hand this 9th day of August, 1841. G. B. THORP.
HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY. 113
STATE OF MISSOURI,
County of Holt.
Lawfully married by me, the undersigned Justice' of the Peace, of
Nishnebotna Township, Mr. William Barret, to Miss Mary Jane Jones,
daughter of David Jones. JACOB McKISSICK, J. P.
November 17th, 1841.
STATE OF MISSOURI,
County of Holt.
November, the 25th day, 1841.
This day William Grissum and Jane Ellen Roberts were married,
according to law, by me, John Stewart, one of the justices of the peace
in and for said county.
To the Circuit Clerk of Holt County, Missouri :
This is to certify that on the ninth day of December, 1841, in the
presence of R. H. Barkhurst and I. Kelley, esquire, I solemnized the
rites of matrimony between Cain Owen and Mary Nichols, all of Holt
County, Mo. Given under my hand this 9th day of December, 1841.
THOMAS B. RUBLE,
Ordained elder in the M. E. Church.
STATE OF MISSOURI, )
County of Holt. f ss'
Mrs. Permelia Walton was married to Absalom Taylor, on the 19th
•dav of December, 1841, both of the County of Holt. Solemnized accord-
ing to law by JOHN STEWART, J. P.
STATE OF MISSOURI, )
County of Holt. f ss'
Know all men by these presents that I, John Gibson, within and
for the county aforesaid, have this day joined together in the holy state
-of matrimpny, Crittenden A. Root and Phebe Ann Baldwin, of the
county and state aforesaid. Given under my hand this 18th day of
January, 1842. JOHN GIBSON, Justice of the Peace.
Holt County, Missouri.
Married on the 19th of February, A. D. 1842, William Hicks and
Elizabeth Clark, by J. W. TAYLOR, Minister.
STATE OF MISSOURI, ) c
County of Holt. j ss"
Know all men by these presents that I, John Gibson, J. P., within
and for the county aforesaid, have this day joined together in the holy
state of matrimony Manson B. Noland and Sewrena Barnes, of the
county and state aforesaid. Given under my hand this 19th day of
May, 1842. JOHN GIBSON, J. P.
For the year 1841 there were recorded seven marriages. The mar-
riages for 1881 numbered about one hundred.
8
CHAPTER V.
FIRST SETTLEMENTS.
Scarcely had the Indian left the haunts, whither he had roamed for
so many years — the undisputed possessor of that territory now known
as Holt County — before the adventurous pioneer, came crowding upon
his receding footsteps. Its wide undulating prairies, over which the
red man had chased the buffalo, the elk and the deer, were now right
speedily to be turned by the plowshare to the sun-light of Heaven, and
the numerous streams, wherein he slaked his thirst, and whence he pro-
cured a portion of his sustenance, were to be utilized in the propulsion
of myriad wheels and buzzing saws. Its forests, which had echoed
only to the savage warhoops, or to the roar of wild beasts, were soon to
resound with the stroke of the woodman's ax, and the din of civiliza-
tion. Its hills and valleys, where stood the fragile wigwam, were soon
to be dotted over with the more enduring and stately habitations of
man. Its physiognomical features, which had been cast in the mold of
ceaseless ages, were soon to take on a more comely appearance, at the
hands of a people with new thoughts and grander purposes of living.
The aborigine had run his course ; the time had come, in the wisdom of
the powers that be, when he must take up his line of march toward the
setting sun, where it is hoped he found a hunting ground, no less genial
and no less happy. That portion of the Platte Purchase, which was the
most accessible to the emigrant, was the first to be settled. Nor did it
require a long series of years to do this, for the tide of immigration
which began to pour itself into Platte County in the spring of 1837,.
increased with such momentum, that, before the lapse of the year 1838,
it had in a great measure, overspread the county of Platte, had passed
through the counties of Buchanan and Andrew, and was rapidly rolling
onward in its course, through Holt, Atchison and Nodaway. There
never had been anything like it in the history of the country. The
information which had been obtained of the Platte Purchase had trav-
eled eastward with the rapidity of the steamboat. The richness of its
soil, the salubrity of its climate, the number and importance of its
water courses, had all been presented in glowing colors to the inhabit-
ants who resided east of the Mississippi ; its fame going beyond the
Ohio, and even crossing the Alleghanies. The enthusiasm inspired by
these reports was but a little less than that enkindled in the minds of
HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY. I I 5
men, upon the receipt of the news of the discovery of gold in Califor-
nia. All who could and were so inclined, were eager to test the truth
of what they had heard, and the result was that thousands of emigrants
left their homes in the east, during the spring and fall of 1837 and 1838,
destined for the Platte Purchase, hoping and believing that the land to
which they were coming would be to them a Canaan, wherein they
could with perfect confidence cast their lots for the remainder of life.
True, a few were disappointed, and returned again to their former
homes, or sought newer fields beyond the Rocky Mountains, but the
great majority of those who came hither and planted their vine and fig-
tree at an early day remained, many of whom are still living, and are
now (1882) enjoying the fruits of their early struggles and privations.
Whence came the early settlers of Holt County ? When did they
come ? Who were they ? These are questions which naturally suggest
themselves to all who are anxious to learn the beginning of their coun-
try's history, for no country can have a history without first having a
settlement. With the date, therefore, of its first settlement, begins its
history. The student searching for the origin of things, is never satis-
fied with the result of his investigation until he has prosecuted his
explorations abinitio. In this way, he is made acquainted with what
would otherwise be to him the secret causes which produced or had
wrought out certain conditions or results.
The character of the first settlers, have much to do with the subse-
quent growth and development of the country, hence we perceive the
significance and bearing of the beginning.
Among the older states, Virginia, Kentucky and Tennessee, were,
perhaps, more largely represented in the early settlement of the Platte
Purchase than all others combined, and many of its present inhabitants,
although natives of other states, trace their ancestry back to the states
above named. In the settlement of Holt County, however, the first
pioneers were from the state of Indiana, whence they came in the early
spring of 1838. These were Peter and Blank Stephenson, from Parke
County, Indiana. These men settled about five miles southeast of the
present town of Oregon, on section 7, in township 59, range 37. In the
spring of 1838 Judge R. H. Russell, John Sterrett, John' Russell and
James Kee, left Indiana for the Platte Purchase. Judge Russell pro-
ceeded by steamboat to Clay County, Missouri, where he remained, cul-
tivating a crop of corn until the month of August, when he was joined
by the others, who had come overland. The whole party then came to
Holt County and settled in the same neighborhood where Blank and
Peter Stephenson lived. Judge Russell, who is still living in Oregon,
says that the Stephensons had put in a small crop of corn, and when he
arrived in Holt County, and stopped at Stephenson's cabin, they gave
him roasting ears.
Il6 HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
The first postmaster in the county was Judge R. H. Russell. The
post office was at Thorp's Mill, and was kept in Judge Russell's house.
Thorp's Mill was called after one John Thorp, who built the first mill on
Mill Creek, about two miles southeast of Oregon.
John Baldwin came also from Parke County, Indiana, in the fall of
1839, and settled on section 18, township 55, range 37. George Mcln-
tyre came in the fall of 1839, and located on section 5, same congres-
sional township. Smith Mclntyre came at the same time and settled
on the same section. John M. Briggs, the Widow Jackson and family,
were other early settlers of this part of the county, in 1840.
Roland Burnett, (brother of Peter H. Burnett, once prosecuting
attorney of this judicial circuit, and now one of the most eminent and
most wealthy citizens of California), Harmon G. Noland, John Gibson,
and others, settled in the vicinity of Oregon in 1839. Burnett estab-
lished a claim on what afterwards became the town site of Oregon, but
it was subsequently decided that the county possessed the title, and Mr.
Burnett moved to the farm north of town.
The Blairs and Baldwins were the earliest settlers of Benton Town-
ship. John M. Blair, with his sons, Uriah and James, reached Holt
County April 12th, 1839, and locating near the bluff line south of Mound
City, on section 20, township 61, range 38. The Blairs came from Indi-
ana, about 1827, went to Pike County, Illinois, subsequently to Iowa,
and came to Holt County, as stated above, in 1839. John M. Blair died
in the summer of 1849, on Carson River, at the foot of the Sierra Nevada
Mountains, while en route to California, with an expedition from Holt
County. James and Uriah Blair are still citizens of the county. Jere-
miah Baldwin, his brother, Daniel Baldwin, and his son, Lambert Bald-
win, settled, in the fall of 1839, in the neighborhood of the Blairs. John
Hughes and son, also named John, were settled, in 1839, in the neighbor-
hood of the Blairs and Baldwins, and additional settlements were made
in the same locality in 1840. The Sharps, W. A. and Abraham, settled
Sharp's Grove, in the locality of Craig, in 1841, and about the same time
Robert and John Nickols gave their name to Nickol's Grove, in the east-
ern part of the county. German settlers were the first to begin the
improvement of the extreme northwestern part. John H. Roselius was
the pioneer, and Henry Dankers, Henry Peters and Andrew Buck, fol-
lowed soon after. The descendants of these men are generally living
in that part of the county, and are among our most influential citizens.
Whig Valley, where the political sentiments of the inhabitants seem
to have been so marked as to leave a record in the name of the locality,
was first settled by Theodore Higley, who gave the name of that once
great party to the beautiful and fertile valley which he settled.
CHAPTER VI
COUNTY AND TOWNSHIP SYSTEM— GOVERNMENT SURVEYS-ORGANIZATION OF TOWN-
SHIPS.
Before proceeding any further, we deem it proper to give some
explanations of the county and township system and government sur-
veys, as so much depends in business and civil transactions upon county
limits and county organizations.
COUNTY AND TOWNSHIP SYSTEM.
With regard to the origin of dividing individual states into county
and township organizations, which, in an important measure, should have
the power and opportunity of transacting their own business and gov-
erning themselves, under the approval of, and subject to, the state and
general government, of which they both form a part, we quote from
Elijah M. Haines, who is considered good authority on the subject.
In his " Laws of Illinois, relative to Township Organizations," he
says : "The county system originating with Virginia, whose early set-
tlers soon became large landed proprietors, aristocratic in feeling, living
apart in almost baronial magnificence, on their own estates, and owning
the laboring part of the population. Thus the materials for a town were
not at hand, the voters being thinly distributed over a great area.
"The county organization, where a few influential men managed
the whole business of a community, retaining their places almost at
their pleasure, scarcely responsible at all, except in name, and permitted
to conduct the county concerns as their ideas or wishes might direct,
was moreover consonant with their recollections or traditions of the
judicial and social dignities of the landed aristocracy of England, in
descent from whom the Virginia gentlemen felt so much pride. In 1834,
eight counties were organized in Virginia, and the system extending
throughout the state, spread into all the Southern States, and some of
the Northern States ; unless we except the nearly similar division into
'districts' in South Carolina, and that into 'parishes ' in Louisiana, from
the French laws.
"Illinois, which, with its vast additional territory, became a county
of Virginia, on its conquest by General George Rogers Clark, retained
the county organization, which was formerly extended over the state by
Il8 HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
the constitution of 1818, and continued in exclusive use under the con-
stitution of 1848.
" Under this system, as in other states adopting it, most local busi-
ness was transacted by those commissioners in each county who consti-
tuted a county court, with quarterly sessions.
"During the period ending with the constitution of 1847, a large
portion of the state had become filled up with a population of NewEng-'
land birth or character, daily growing more and more compact and dis-
satisfied with the comparatively arbitrary and inefficient county system.
It was maintained by the people that the heavy populated districts
would always control the election of the commissioners to the disadvan-
tage of the more thinly populated sections — in short, that under that
system 'equal and exact justice' to all parts of the county could not
be secured.
" The township system had its origin in Massachusetts, and dates
back to 1635.
" The first legal enactment concerning this system provided that,
whereas, ' particular townships have many things which concern only
themseles, and the ordering of their own affairs, and disposing of busi-
ness in their own town,' therefore, ' the freemen of every township, or
a majority part of them, shall only have power to dispose of their own
lands and woods, with all the appurtenances of said town, to grant lots,
and to make such orders as may. concern the well-ordering of their own
towns, not repugnant to the laws and orders established by the general
court.
" They might, also, (says Mr. Haines) impose fines of not more than
twenty shillings, and ' choose their own particular officers, as constables,
surveyors for the highways and the like.'
"Evidently this enactment relieved the general court of a mass of
municipal details, without any danger to the power of that body in con-
trolling general measures of public policy.
" Probably, also, a demand from the freemen of the towns was felt
for the control of their own home concerns.
" The New England colonies were first governed by a general court
or legislature, composed of a governor and a small council, which court
consisted of the most influential inhabitants and possessed and exercised
both legislative and judicial powers, which were limited only by the
wisdom of the holders.
" They made laws, ordered their execution by officers, tried and
decided civil and criminal causes, enacted all manner of municipal reg-
ulations, and, in fact, did all the public business of the colony."
Similar provisions for the incorporation of towns were made in the
first constitution of Connecticut, adopted in 1639, and the plan of town-
ship organization, as experience proved its remarkable economy, effi-
HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY. 1 19
ciency and adaptation to the requirements of a free and intelligent
people, became universal throughout New England, and went westward
with the immigrants from New England into New York, Ohio and other
Western States.
Thus we find that the vahaable system of county, township and town
organizations had been thoroughly tried and proven long before there
was need of adopting it in Missouri or any of the broad region west. of
the Mississippi River. But as the new country began to be opened, and
as eastern people began to move westward across the mighty river, and
form thick settlements along its western bank, the territory, and state,
and county and township organizations soon followed in quick succes-
sion, and those different systems became more or less improved, accord-
ing as deemed necessary by the experience, and judgment and demands
of the people, until they have arrived at the present stage and advance-
ment and efficiency. In the settlement of the Territory of Missouri, the
Legislature began by organizing counties on the Mississippi River. As
each new county was formed it was made to include under legal jurisdic-
tion all the country bordering west of it, and required to grant to the
actual settlers electoral privileges and an equal share of the county gov-
ernment with those who properly lived in the geographioal limits of the
county.
The counties first organized along the eastern borders of the state
were given for a short time jurisdiction over the lands and settlements
adjoining each on the west, until these localities became sufficiently
settled to support organizations of their own.
GOVERNMENT SURVEYS.
No person can intelligently understand the history of a country
without at the same time knowing its geography, and in order that a
clear and correct idea of the geography of Holt County may be obtained
from the language already used in defining different localities and pieces
of land, we insert herewith the plan of Government surveys as given in
Mr. E. A. Hickman'* Property Map of Jackson County, Missouri :
Previous to the formation of our present Government, the eastern
portion of North America consisted of a number of British colonies, the
territory of which was granted in large tracts to British noblemen. By
treaty of 1783, these grants were acknowledged as valid by the colonies.
After the Revolutionary war, when these colonies were acknowledged
" Independent States," all public domain within their boundaries was
acknowledged to be the property of the colony within the bounds of
which said domain was situated.
Virginia claimed all the northwest territory, including what is now
known as Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana and Illinois.
After a meeting of the representatives of the various states to form a
120 HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
Union, Virginia ceded the northwest territory to the United States Gov-
ernment. This took place in 1784; then all this northwest territory-
became Government land. It comprised all south of the lakes and east
of the Mississippi River and north and west of the states having definite
boundary lines. This territory had been known as New France, and
had ben ceded by France to England in 1768. In the year 1803, Napo-
leon Bonaparte sold to the United States all territory west of the Mis-
sissippi River and north of Mexico, extending to the Rocky Mountains.
While the public domain was the property of the colonies, it was
disposed of as follow : Each individual caused the tract he desired to
purchase to be surveyed and platted. A copy of the survey was then
filed with the register of lands, when, by paying into the state or colonial
treasury an agreed price, the purchaser received a patent for the land.
This method of disposing of public lands made lawsuits numerous, owing
to different surveys often including the same ground. To avoid these
difficulties, and effect a general measurement of the territories, the
United States adopted the present mode or system of land surveys, a
description of which we give as follows :
In an unsurveyed region a point of marked and changeless topo-
graphical features is selected as an initial point. The exact latitude and
longitude of this point is ascertained by astronomical observation, and a
suitable monument of iron or stone to perpetuate the position. Through
this point a true north and south line is run, which is called a Principal
Meridian. This principal meridian may be extended north and south
any desired distance. Along this line are placed, at distances of one-
half mile from each other, posts of wood or stone, or mounds of earth.
These posts are said to establish the line, and are called section and
quarter-section posts. Principal meridians are numbered in the order
in which they are established. Through the same initial point from
which the principal meridian was surveyed, another line is now run and
established by mile and half-mile posts, as before, in a true east and west
direction. This line is called the Base Line, and like the principal meri-
dian, may be extended indefinitely in either direction. These lines form
the basis of the survey of the country into townships and ranges. Town-
ship lines extend east and west, parallel with the base line, at distances
of six miles from the base line and from each other, dividing the country
into strips six miles wide, which strips are called townships. Range
lines run north and south, parallel to the principal meridian, dividing the
country into strips six miles wide, which strips are called ranges. Town-
ship strips are numbered from the base line and range strips are num-
bered from the principal meridian. Townships lying north of the base
line are " townships north," those on the south are " townships south."
The strip lying next the base line is township one, the next one to that
township two, and so on. The range strips are numbered in the same
HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
121
manner, counting from the principal meridian east or west, as the case
may be.
The township and range lines thus divide the county into six-mile
squares. Each of these squares is called a Congressional township. All
north and south lines north of the equator approach each other as they
extend north, finally meeting at the north pole ; therefore, north and
south lines are not literally parallel. The east and west boundary lines
of any range being six miles apart in the latitude of Missouri or Kansas,
would, in thirty miles, approach each other 2.9 chains, or 190 feet. If,
therefore, the width of the range when started from the base line is made
exactly six miles, it would be 2.9 chains too narrow at the distance of
thirty miles, or five townships north. To correct the width of ranges
and keep them to the proper width, the range lines are not surveyed in
a continuous straight line, like the principal meridian, entirely across
the state, but only across a limited number of townships, usually five,
where the width of the range is corrected hy beginning a new line on the
side of the range most distant from the principal meridian, at such a
point as will make the range its correct width. All range lines are cor-
rected in the same manner. The last and west township line on which
these corrections are made are called correction lines, or standard par-
allels. The surveys of the State of Missouri were made from the fifth
principal meridian, which runs through the state, and its ranges are
numbered from it. The State of Kansas is surveyed and numbered from
the sixth. Congressional townships are divided into thirty-six square
miles, called sections, and are known by numbers, according to their
positions. The following diagram shows the order of numbers and the
sections in a Congressional township :
-2 —
-10-
-11-
-18-
-]8-
-16-
-15-
-14-
-13-
-19-
-20-
-21-
-22-
-23-
— 30-
-29-
-28-
-26-
-25-
-31 —
-32-
-33-
-34-
•35-
-36-
122
HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
Sections are divided into quarters, eighths and sixteenths, and are
described by their position in the section. The full section contains
640 acres, the quarter 160, the eighth 80, and the sixteenth 40. In the
following diagram of a section the position designated by a is known as
the northwest quarter ; i is the northeast quarter of the northeast quar-
ter ; d would be the south half of the southeast quarter, and would
contain 80 acres.
Sec- post
Yx Sec post.
Sec. post.
A Sec.
post.
Sec. post
a
rbo acres
h
i
yx Sec. post
J
g
b
c
e
Sec. post.
d
]4, Sec. post.
Congressional townships, as we have seen, are six mile squares of
land, made by the township and range lines, while civil or municipal
townships are civil divisions, made for purposes of government, the one
having no reference to the other, though similar in name. On the
county map we see both kinds of townships — the congressional, usually
designated by numbers and in squares ; the municipal or civil township,
by name and in various forms.
By the measurement thus made by the Government the courses and
distances are defined between any two points. St. Louis is in township
44 north, range 8 east, and Independence is in township 49 north, range
32 west ; how far, then, are Kansas City and St. Louis apart on a direct
line ? St. Louis is forty townships east — 240 miles — and five townships
south — thirty miles ; the base and perpendicular of a right-angled tri-
angle, the hypothenuse being the required distance.
ORGANIZATION OF TOWNSHIPS.
The " townships," as the term is used in common phraseology, in
many instances, is widely distinguished from that of " town," though
many persons persist in confounding the two. " In the United States,
many of the states are divided into townships of five, six, seven, or per-
haps ten miles square, and the inhabitants of such townships are vested
with certain powers for regulating their own affairs, such as repairing
roads and providing for the poor. The township is subordinate to the
county." A "town" is simply a collection of houses, either large or
small, and opposed to " country."
HISTQRY OF HOLT COUNTY. 1 23
The most important features connected with this system of town-
ship surveys should be thoroughly understood by every intelligent
farmer and business man ; still there are some points connected with
the understanding of it, which need close and careful attention. The
law which established this system required that the north and south
lines should correspond exactly with the meridian passing through that
point ; also, that each township should be six miles square. To do this
would be an utter impossibility, since the figure of the earth causes the
meridians to converge toward the pole, making the north line of each
township shorter than the south line of the same township. To obviate
the errors which are, on this account, constantly occurring, correction
lines are established. They are parallels bounding a line of townships
on the north, when lying north of the principal base ; on the south line
of townships when lying south of the principal base, from which the
surveys, as they are continued, are laid out anew ; the range lines again
starting at correct distances from the principal meridian. In Michigan
these correction lines are repeated at the end of every tenth township,
but in Oregon they have been repeated with every fifth township. The
instructions to the surveyors have been that each range of townships
should be made as much over six miles in width on each base and cor-
rection line as it will fall short of the same width where it closes on to
the next correction line north ; and it is further provided that in all
cases where the exterior lines of the township shall exceed or shall not
extend six miles, the excess of deficiency shall be specially noted, and
added to or deducted from the western or northern sections or half
sections in such township, according as the error may be in running the
lines Irom east to west, or from south to north. In order to throw the
excess of deficiencies on the north and on the west sides of the town-
ship, it is necessary to survey the section lines from south to north, on
a true meridian, leaving the result in the north line of the township to
be governed by the convexity of the earth, and the convergency of the
meridians.
Navigable rivers, lakes and islands are " meandered " or surveyed
by the compass and chain along the banks. "The instruments employed
on these surveys, besides the solar compass, are a surveying chain
thirty-feet long, of fifty links, and another of smaller wire, as a stand-
ard to be used for correcting the former as often at least as every other
day, also eleven tally pins, made of steel, telescope, targets, tape meas-
ure, and tools for marking the lines upon trees or stones. In surveying
through the woods, trees intercepted by the line are marked with two
•chips or notches, one on each side; these are called sight or line trees.
Sometimes other trees in the vicinity are blazed on two sides quartering
toward the line ; but if some distance from the line the two blazes
should be near together on the side facing the line. These are found to
124
HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
be permanent marks, not only recognizable for many years, but carry-
ing with them their own age by the rings of growth around the blaze
which may at any subsequent time be cut out and counted as years ;
and the same are recognized in courts of law as evidence of the date of
the survey. They cannot be obliterated by cutting down the trees or
otherwise, without leaving evidence of the act. Corners are marked
upon trees if found at the right spots, or else upon posts set in the
ground, and sometimes a monument of stones is used for a township
corner, and a single stone for section corner ; mounds of earth are
made where there are no stones nor timber. At the corners the four
adjacent sections are designated by distinct marks cut into a tree, one
in each section. These trees, facing the corner, are plainly marked
with the letters B. T. (bearing tree) cut into the wood. Notches cut
upon the corner posts or trees indicate the number of miles to the out
lines of the township, or if on the boundaries of the township, to the
township corners."
CHAPTER VII.
BENTON TOWNSHIP.
OUNDARIES— PHYSICAL FEATURES-EARLY SETTLERS-MINERAL RESOURCES —JACK-
SON'S POINT— FIRST SCHOOL— FIRST PREACHER— MOUND CITY-PUBLIC SCHOOL-
MASONIC FRATERNITY— CHURCHES— MILLS— NEWSPAPERS -PROFESSIONAL-R. R.
FACILITIES— BANK— BIOGRAPHICAL.
Benton Township, which originally extended northward to the
outh boundary of Atchison County, was reduced to its present limits
>y the organization, on the 17th day of June, 1874, of Lincoln Town-
hip, which forms its entire northern boundary in a distance of eight
niles. On the east it is bounded by Clay and Hickory Townships, on
he south by Lewis and Bigelow Townships, and on the west by Bigelow
md Union Townships. It constitutes one of the larger municipal divis-
ons of the county, including in its area fifty entire sections.
■
PHYSICAL FEATURES.
«
Benton Township affords considerable diversity of surface. The
jluff range entering the same in the northeast corner of section 21,
ownship 62, range 39, (which section is in the northwest corner of the
ownship), extends in a southeasterly direction through Mound City,
ind onward, in nearly the same course, to the northeast corner of sec-
ion 20, township 61, range 38, where it bends in a southwesterly direc-
tion to the dividing line between Bigelow and Benton Townships,
between section 36 of the former and section 31 of the latter. From a
point at the foot of the bluff, where stands the town of Mound City,
extends the wide expanse of level, bottom land, stretching westward to
a distance often miles, nine of which run through Bigelow Township to
the Missouri River. An area amounting to about sixteen square miles
cf the territory of Benton Township is included in this bottom. To the
eastward, beyond these bluffs, extends the high, rolling prairie, diversi-
fied, in the neighborhood of the streams which vein its surface, with
groves of valuable timber. In common with the general face of the
county, Benton Township, both in its upland and lowland districts, is
well watered. Kimsey Creek enters its borders from Hickory Town-
ship (which here bounds it on the east), in section 15, and flows in a
nearly due southerly direction, entering Lewis Township in section 4 of
126 HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY,
the same. Hugh's Creek rises in the south part of section 10, and flow-
ing in a southwesterly and northwesterly direction through six sections,
spreads out from section 18, over the Missouri River bottom. Its aver-
age width is eight or ten links. This stream runs near John Blair's
residence, in section 20, township 61, range 38. The said John Blair
settled there in 1839, and, in 1849, started to California and died on the
way. George Blair, (long since dead), lived on the northeast quarter of
section 20.
The south fork of Davis Creek heads in section 26, near the south-
west corner of Clay Township, and flowing in a southwesterly and wes-
terly direction, unites at Mound City with the main stream of the same,
near the northwest corner of section 6, township 61, range 38. The
north fork of Davis Creek heads near the north line of section 10,
township 62, range 38, in Liberty Township, and flowing in a southwes-
terly direction through four sections of Benton Township, unites, at
Mound City, with the south fork of Davis Creek, which here becomes
the main stream of that affluent, flowing thence one and a-half miles
westward into Squaw Creek.
Little Tarkio enters Benton Township in section 21, township 62,
range 39, at the northeast corner of the southwest 80 of said section,
a farm now (1882) owned by William McKell. It flows through four or
five sections of the township, generally in an easterly and southerly
direction, and enters Bigelow Township in section 3, township 61, range
39. The Little Tarkio, in its course through this township, is about
100 links wide.
Squaw Creek, with its west branch, enters Benton Township, in
section 23, township 62, range 39, and flows in a southerly and westerly
direction through portions of five sections, entering Bigelow- Township
in section 2, township 61, range 39.
There formerly existed in section 1, in the western part of Benton
Township, and in sections n, 12, 13, 14 and 2, of Bigelow Township,
adjoining, a body of water known as Shallow Lake. It was formed by
Davis Creek, which now flows into Squaw Creek in section 1, township
61, range 39, as above stated. The water of this lake has, long since,
been absorbed. There stood, many years ago, on the southwest quarter
of section 18, township 61, of range 38, where was formerly a small lake,
a steam saw mill. Both the lake and mill have passed out of existence.
EARLY SETTLERS.
The first white man to make his home within the limits of what is
now Benton Township was John N. Blair, originally from Indiana. He
settled the farm in section 20, township 61, range 38, where he arrived
April 12, 1839. In the same year came George Blair to the same locality.
BENTON TOWNSHIP. 1 27
The Blairs on leaving Indiana, moved to Pike County, Illinois, in 1827 ;
in 1836, to Iowa; thence back to Pike County, Illinois; and, in the
spring of 1839, to the Platte Purchase settling as above stated. It is
claimed that John N. Blair erected on this farm in Benton Township the
first frame house built in the county. John N. Blair died on Carson
River, at the foot of the Sierra, Nevada Mountains, while on his way to
California, in 1849- George Blair, as before stated, also died years ago.
James and Uriah Blair, sons of John N. Blair, still (1882) reside on
the place originally settled by their father below the present town of
Mound City, and are recognized as representative citizens of the
county.
In the fall of 1839 came, also from Indiana, Jeremiah and Daniel
Baldwin, who settled in the neighborhood of the Blairs. John R. Bald-
win, a son of the pioneer Daniel, is still living in the township, as is also
Daniel Baldwin, Jr., a son of Jeremiah Baldwin. John Hughes, from
Illinois, arrived in the fall of 1839, and settled the farm now (1882}
owned by Washington Hutton, in section 28, township 61, range, 38, four
and a half miles south and two miles east of Mound City.
William Holloway, John Holloway and Henry Holloway, from Indi-
ana, in 1840, also settled in the same locality. In the same year, John
Hughes, Sr., the father of John Hughes, above mentioned, settled the
Kimsey Farm. In the spring of 1840, Judge John Kimsey came from
Clay County, Missouri, and purchased the improvements of John
Hughes, Jr. He continued to live on the place till 1846, when he moved
to Oregon.
Judge Kimsey, who was at one time on the county bench, was the
second blacksmith who worked at his trade in Holt County, and the
[first of his calling to locate within the present limits of Benton Town-
ship. His shop, in 1840, stood in the southeast quarter section 21,
township 61, range 38, two miles east and four miles south of Mound
City. He also worked at Jackson's Point. The original Kimsey Farm
is in southeast quarter section 21, and southwest quarter section 22, and
is now (1882) owned by Samuel Glick. It lies within one-fourth of a
mile of Kimsey Creek, which derived its name from John Kimsey, a son
of the judge. In 1840, J. Bawn settled the place afterwards owned by
Mosher, to whom he sold the land. — — South, who went to Oregon in
1846, settled, in 1840, the place now (1882) owned by the Widow Beeler.
In the same year, John Benson settled the farm afterwards owned by
Strother Moore, a noted stock dealer. This farm is three-fourths of a
mile south ot Mound City. He (Benson) was killed in California, in
1844. Claiborne F. Parmer settled, in 1841, on a place now owned by
Jonathan Andes. In 1840, William Mobly, a native of the State of
Maine, who afterwards moved to Oregon, where he died, settled half a.
mile north of the site of Mound City. In the same year, settled in the
128 HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY,
neighborhood John dinger, who subsequently moved to California ; and
also the widow Ellison.
A noted character, by the name of William Walker, also arrived in
1840, and made his home not a great distance from the present site of
Mound City. He was popularly known as " Hog Walker," from his suc-
cess in acquiring property in swine. It is narrated of this enterprising
settler, who counted his hogs by the dozen, that he was in the habit of
fencing in any sow with a litter of pigs he happened to find in the wild
bottoms. These he took care to mark, and they, of course, became his
property. He, at one time, is said to have claimed seventy dozen hogs
and pigs.
About the same period, a similarly enterprising settler by the name
of John Walker, located in the neighborhood. He soon achieved the
distinction of " Cow Walker," a cognomen by which he was universally
distinguished in the country. It is said that Cow Walker, who was
always on the hunt of a stray cow, was dreaded by the herders in the
bottoms who often had charge of thousands of cattle which, in those
days, were wintered on the rushes which there grew luxuriantly.
Among other early settlers of the township were Jacob Mosher, who
came in 1842, and died thirty years after. Andrew Mackoy, from Ohio,
and Washam came in 1843. Andrew Meyer, now (1882) a representative
citizen of the township, came in 1843. William Gady, in the same year,
made a claim adjoining the site of Mound City, but subsequently
abandoned it. Henry Swimiller came in 1846.
Among the noted settlers of Benton Township, was Levi Dodge, now
(1882) a prominent citizen of the town of Mound City. Mr. Dodge, who
is a native of the State of Maine, moved thence to Ohio, in an early day,
thence to Clinton County, Missouri, and, in the fall of 1850, to what is
now Benton Township, Holt County, Missouri, where he settled on sec-
tion 26, township 62, range 39, a farm now owned by John Shrautz.
In 18^3, the settlers to the eastward of the Nodaway River, and
those in the territory of Benton Township, in Holt County, were as
ignorant of each other as though a sea rolled between them. The first
settler to make tracks across this territory was Levi Dodge, in the
summer of 1853. The course which he marked across these prairies and
streams afterwards became the regular beaten road.
. The farm north of Mound City, now (1882) owned by Ed. Gillis, was
settled in 1848 by William Marshall, who afterwards sold it to a man by
the name of Brown.
David Worsham, about 1841, located on Davis Creek, southeast of
Mound City. This stream was so named from a man by the name of
Davis, who was the first settler on its banks.
BENTON TOWNSHIP. 1 29
THE MINERAL RESOURCES
of Benton Township are, as yet, scarcely determined, and, though no
very positive evidence exists of the presence of valuable deposits of coal,
it is confidently believed by many that this mineral underlies a consid-
erable portion of this section of the count}'.
In 1871, Henry Kunkel, in prospecting for mineral on the north
branch of Davis Creek encountered, at a distance of forty-one feet below
the level, a stream of water which flowed out above the surface of the
ground in the manner of an artesian well. An investigation of the
component elements of the water of this fountain proved it highly
valuable as a remedial agent in many diseases. The well subsequently
became a place of popular resort, and has since continued to enjoy an
uninterrupted prosperity.
The following is an analysis made by Professor Charles Williams, of
Rolla, Missouri, of one gallon of this water :
Chloride of Sodium 0,684,290 gra
Sulphate of Soda 5,207,067 gra
Sulphate of Potassa 0,925,686 gra
Sulphate of Lime 0,459,595 gra
Carbonate of Lime 6,912,480 gra
Carbonate of Magnesia 2,646,414 gra
Carbonate Protoxide Iron 0,575,015 gra
Carbonate Protoxide Manganese 0,009,433 gra
Aluminia 0,268, 163 gra
Silicic Acid 0,766,390 gra
Organic Matter 3,452,425 gra
ns
ns
ns
ns
ns
ns
ns
ns
ns
ns
ns
Total Solids 24,907,138
Total Solids found by Evaporator 21,950,895
The fountain is on the southwest forty of the southeast quarter of
section 29, township 62, range 38, one and a half miles northeast of Mound
City, and is the property of John W. Ogle, who built the hotel and made
the other improvements on the premises.
To the Pool of Siloam, in the Town of Mound City, reference will be
found under that head.
About 1875, General George Hall, of St. Joseph, erected machinery
at the edge of the bluff at Mound City and undertook to bore for coal, or
any other solid or fluid mineral he might chance to encounter. As soon
as he reached the level of the Missouri, however, the water flowed in
faster than his engine could pump it out, and the enterprise was abandoned.
The idea of the existence of coal at this point has since been generally
ridiculed.
JACKSON'S POINT.
In 1840 a man by the name of Thomas Ferguson settled at the
mouth of the south fork of Davis Creek, where the same debouches into
9
130 HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
the north fork of that stream, on the northeast quarter of section 6, town-
ship 61, range 38. He built, at the foot of thebluff at this point, a double
log cabin, in which he entertained the traveling public. Ferguson had
purchased this claim from a man bythe name of Davis, after whom Davis
Creek was named. About 1844 or 1845 he (Ferguson) sold the place to
Andrew P. Jackson. This was, for years after, called Jackson's Point,
and was, at one period, one of the widest known localities of the Platte
Purchase. Jackson's Point was a stage station on the great line of
coaches which, in that early day, carried the mail between St. Joseph and
Council Bluffs at that period, called Cainsville. This line was originally
started by a company of Mormons, who afterwards sold out to Frost, the
great overland mail contractor. This was, up to the period of the build-
ing of the Kansas City Railroad, the regular mail route between these
two points. The first post-office established within the limits of what is
now Benton Township was located here and called Jackson's Point Post
Office. This was in a very early day (about 1844). A. P. Jackson was
the first postmaster. In 1855 this post-office was moved across Davis
Creek, to the single store which then stood on the site of what is now
Mound City. This was kept by a man by the name of Galen Crow, and
the name of the post-office was changed to North Point.
To return, however, to Jackson Point. Aside from the Jackson House,,
which was spacious, and, for that day, well kept, the Point was a noted
camping place during the period of the Mormon and California emigra-
tion, as the neighborhood abounded in excellent wood and water. The
road, for miles above and below, were, from day's end to day's end,
white with the wagon sheets of the westward bound emigrant trains.
In 1853, Jackson sold out to Galen Crow and moved to California.
Ten years after H. S. Busick became, by purchase, the owner of the
property. In 1870, he sold the place to Jacob Grosbeck, the present
(1882) proprietor. The building which is still a prominent landmark
near the foot of the bluff, a few hundred yards south of the limits of
Mound City, is a large, well appearing double two-story frame building
with a brick rear extension. The whole was built as early as 1844. The
frame portion of the house was almost entirely reconstructed by Mr.
Grosbeck, the present proprietor.
FIRST SCHOOL.
It seems to be a question as to who was the first teacher to pursue
his calling in Benton Township. By some of the old settlers it is
claimed that an eastern man by the name of Latty, as early as 1842,
taught a school one-fourth of a mile east of the present public school
building which stands on land now owned by 'Squire Young. The
primitive school house was a log cabin fourteen feet square. By others.
BENTON TOWNSHIP. 131
it is maintained that the first school in the township was not taught
until 1844, and that the original teacher was Professor John Collins, a
noted instructed of youth in that early day. His school house was one
and a half miles northwest of Mound City, at the foot of the bluff, on a
farm first settled by the pioneer Edward Dodge, the father of Levi
Dodge, the proprietor of the Pool of Siloam in Mound City.
FIRST PREACHER.
The first to preach the gospel in Benton Township was the Rev. E.
Marvin, of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He preached his first ser-
mon in this township, at the residence of J. N. Blair below Mound City.
This was very soon after the arrival of the first settlers. Marvin was
then a very young man, just starting in the work of the ministry. He
afterwards achieved a national reputation as Bishop Marvin.
Rev. Dr. G. B. Thorp, of the Hard Shell Baptist Church, was the
second minister of the gospel to preach within the limits of Benton
Township. He was also among the earliest to practice medicine in that
locality.
No section of Holt County has settled up and improved more
rapidly than has Benton Township in the past few years. A majority
of the farmers are men of intelligence and progressive spirit. Excel-
lent and well kept roads traverse its surface in all directions, and the
general character of recent farm improvements is above the average.
In common with other portions of the county, excellent and well
appointed school buildings appear in every district.
The raising of cattle and of swine, as well as the culture of bees
engage the attention of many. Of the former, Edward Gillis, two miles
and a half north of Mound City, has a fine herd of twenty thoroughbred
short horn cattle and sixty or seventy head of high grades. He was
the first to introduce the former character of cattle into this township.
MOUND CITY.
• As early as 1852 there stood on the east boundary of the present
town of Mound City a log cabin in which was run a blacksmith shop by
E. Porter Forbes. This was the first house to stand on the site of the
town, which was laid out five years after. Mr. Forbes, who now (1882)
resides on the southeast quarter of section 19, township 72, range 38,
two and a-half miles north of Mound City, thus enjoys the distinction ot
being the original blacksmith of the place.
The town of Mound City, which is located in the southern part of
section 31, township 62, range 38, and in the northern part of section 6,
township 61, range 38, on the waters of Davis Creek, at the base and on
132 HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
the slope of the bluff, range which traverses the county from northwest
to southeast, is the only trading point in the township, and is an enter-
prising and rapidly progressing business centre.
In 1855 Galen Crow put up a building in which he opened a stock of
goods. This stood on what was the corner of several lots when the
town was laid out, and occupied a portion of the lot on which stands the
rear of Hamsher's building, in the second story of which is the present
(1882) Masonic Hall, on the northeast corner of State and Main
Streets. Crow, who had purchased Jackson's Point, then moved the
postoffice across the creek to his recently established store and called
the postoffice North Point. The postoffice continued to be so called
until April 1, 1872, when its name was changed to Mound City. Soon
after starting his store at this place Galen Crow sold out to Gaines &
Strickler.
On the 18th of February, 1857, the property having previously
passed into the hands of William A. Jones, a merchant of Oregon, a town
which was laid out on the north side of Davis Creek, embracing a por-
tion of the present town of Mound City, was incorporated by the Gen-
eral Assembly under the name of Mound City. The company included
William Jones, Galen Crow, Ira Peter, George E. Glass, John Burnett, B.
F. Ruftner, C. J. Holly and James Foster. Galen Crow was elected
president of the company, and George E. Glass secretary. On the 22d
of May, 1857, the town company met for the first time and organized
under their charter. About this time Gaines & Strickler closed out their
business, and Galen Crow put up another store building. This was on
the west side of State Street, a few doors north of Main, on a lot on
which now (1882) stands the furniture store of William Dean. Here, in
partnership with D. Jones, he sold goods under the firm name of Crow &
Jones.
At the first public sale of lots in Mound City, which.occurred May
25. 1857, forty-two were sold, at prices ranging from $180, paid by F.
Ruffner, for lot 1, in block 3, to $22, the price paid by George P. Ter-
hune for lot 6, in block 42.
The first residence erected on the town site, after it was laid out,
was a small frame building on State Street, afterwards enlarged, and
now (1882) owned and occupied by Captain W. W. Frazer. This was in
1857. In August, of the same year, was erected the first school build-
ing in the town. This was a small frame. It stands on lot 12, in blocks,
on the northwest corner Fifth and Mill Streets. The building was after-
wards converted into a dwelling, and is now (1882) owned and occupied
as such by George Bennett, druggist. In the same fall, the town com-
pany contributed a bonus of several hundred dollars, and induced Abso-
lom Hoover to erect, in the east part of the town site, a steam saw mill.
This was the first mill put up within the present limits of Benton Town-
BENTON TOWNSHIP. 1 33
ship, and was operated several successive years, till it was moved to the
bottom. The last meeting of the stockholders of the town of Mound
City occurred May 4th, i860.
At the period of the breaking out of the civil war, the place did
not contain above a dozen houses, and there seemed then little prospect
of its ever becoming what it is to-day (1882), the commercial as well as
the geographical center of Holt County.
Galen Crow, the founder of the town, was afterwards sheriff of the
county and representative from the same to the state legislature. At the
breaking out of the civil war, be followed Governor Claib Jackson, as a
member of the lower house, to Arkansas, and is now a resident of Austin,
Texas. He was a man who ranked high in the estimation of the people,
as an accurate business man and upright citizen.
The town of Mound City almost lost its existence during the period
of the civil war, and was not revived till several years after. In 1870,
when John H. Glenn, of Whig Valley, secured a controlling interest in
the town, the business of the same included two small general stores,
one of which was kept by A. N. Glenn and Major Dill, and the
other by Hurd Brothers. There was also, at that time, a blacksmith
shop in the place, kept by a man by the name of McChristian. H.
Hershbeger also had a harness shop. This included the entire business
of the town at that period. There was no house of public entertain-
ment in the place till 1872, when the Landsdown House, on Savannah,
between Fourth and Fifth Streets, was opened by Stephen Landsdown.
The building is a two story frame, with a Mansard roof. Its remote
location from the business center rendered it unpopular, and the pur-
pose for which it was designed was subsequently abandoned.
Mound City languished till the spring of 1873, when a sudden
impetus seemed to be given to the enterprise of the place, and the
I boom," so to speak, has been ever since steadily kept up. In that year
W. T. Hiatt, who also ran a transfer between Bigelow and Mound City,
started the first livery stable in the town, and Davis & Crannell opened
the first exclusive hardware store. The style of this firm soon after
became Crannell, Bates & Co. The first man who ever sold drugs in
Mound City, was Dr. B. Meek, a graduate of St. Louis Medical College,
and the oldest established physician in the place, having been located
there since 1857. He opened his drug store in 1858, and continued to
sell until the breaking out of the civil war. The first to sell lumber in
the town were J. H. Glenn & Co., who commenced in 1871. R. C. Glenn
& Co., put up, on State Street, in 1875, a spacious two story brick building
in which they have since continued to sell drugs. This was the first
cast-iron front put up in the county. There was no store exclusively
devoted to the sale of family groceries till Creswell & Gordon opened
their house in 1881.
134 HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
Mound City was without a regular graded school till 1874, when a
handsome two-story brick building was erected on Nebraska Street on a
commanding elevation overlooking the business quarter of the town, and
a wide expanse of surrounding country. The structure included two
rooms below and one above, besides the halls, and was completed at a
cost of $4,000. In the fall of 1881, the school edifice was enlarged by a
two-story front addition ninety-three by thirty-two feet, affording five
new class rooms, besides halls, cloak rooms, etc., above and below.
These additions when entirely completed will cost over five thousand
dollars. The first board of directors of this school were W. W. Frazer,
Milton Herron, George Gillis, M. Houston, Wingate King and James
Johnson. The school opened in September, 1874, with Nelson Carr,
Principal, assisted by Miss Mary L. Austin. September, 1875, the
teachers were E. A. Welty, Principal, assisted by Miss Fanny Soper and
Mrs. I. M. Bacon.
September, 1876, L. M. May was Principal, assisted by Mrs. I. M.
Bacon and Miss Jose Wilkinson.
September, 1877, Professor Samuel P. Ruley was Principal, assisted
by Miss Jose Wilkinson.
September, 1878, the teachers were Samuel P. Ruley, Principal,
assisted by Miss Sallie C. Bennett and Mrs. I. M. Bacon.
September, 1879, W. R. Burton was Principal, assisted by Miss Sallie
C. Bennett and Mrs. I. M. Bacon.
September, 1880, Professor W. F. Drake was Principal, and Miss Sal-
lie C. Bennett and Mrs. I. M. Bacon assistants.
September, 1881, the teachers were Professor W. F. Drake, Miss
Sallie C. Bennett, Mrs. I. M. Bacon and Miss Lomira Herron.
The present (1882) board of directors include G. H. Carpenter, Pres-
ident ; W. M. Hamsher, Secretary ; M. M. Smith, Treasurer. The other
members are J. B. Denney, John F. Davis and W. T. Hiatt.
The enrollment of the school includes two hundred and seventy-
nine pupils.
MASONIC.
Mound City Lodge, No. 294, A. F. and A. M. was set to work U. D.
from the Grand Lodge of the State of Missouri, January 25, 1868, with
D. P. Ballard, W. M.; John Schrautz, S. W.; Samuel See, J. W.; Dr. B.
Meek, Treasurer ; William Hoblitzell, Secretary ; N. Browning, S. D.;
James Wilson, J. D., and M. D. Merrett, S. and Tyler.
October 15, 1868, a charter was granted by Grand Master John D.
Vincil, with the above mentioned officers. On the 26th of December
following the first election under this charter was held, with the follow-
o
G
o
o i
H
«i
T!
G
W
r
»-^
c
cr.
o
o
o
r
w
G
I— I
r
o
O
BENTON TOWNSHIP. 135
ing result : D.P. Ballard, W. M.; Henry S. Buzick, S. W.; John Schrautz,
J. W.; Dr. B. Meek, Treasurer ; William Hoblitzell, Secretary ; N. Brown-
ing, S. D.; G. M. Dodge, J. D.; Mark Strickler, S. and Tyler.
December, 1869, the election resulted as follows : D. P. Ballard, W.
M.; N. Browning, S. W.; Ed Gillis, J. W., William Hoblitzell, Treasurer ;
John Schrautz, Secretary; G. M. Dodge, S. D.; M. Houston, J. D.; M.
Strickler, S. and Tyler.
December 31, 1870, the following were elected : Napoleon Brown-
ing, W. M.; Ed. Gillis, S. W.; G. M. Dodge, J. W.; John W. Bridgeman,
Sr., Treasurer ; John Schrautz, Secretary; D. P. Ballard, S. D.; Hamilton
Dill, J. D.; T. H. Heard, S. and Tyler.
December, 1871, the following officers were chosen : N. Browning,
W. M.; William Hoblitzell, S. W.; J. D. Jones, J. W.; J. W. Bridgeman,
Sr., Treasurer; Dr. J. M. Tracy, Secretary; G. M. Dodge, S. D.; James
Wilson, J. D.; M. Strickler, Steward and Tyler.
December, 1872, the election was as follows : G. M. Dodge, W. M.
George H. Trook, S. W.; J. M. Tracy, J. W.; John Schrautz, Treasurer
Edward Gillis, Secretary; William Andes, S. D.; J. F. Bridgeman, J. D.
J. L. Nicholson, Steward and Tyler.
December, 1873, the following were elected : N. Browning, W. M.:
William Andes, S. W.; J. F. Bridgeman, J. W.; John Schrautz, Treasurer ;
Edward Gillis, Secretary ; G. M. Dodge, S. D.; G. Erwin, J. D.; George
H. Trook, Steward and Tyler.
December 26, 1874, the following were elected : Samuel P. Jewell,
W. M.; Edward Gillis, S. W.; N. Browning, J. W.; John W. Bridgeman,
Treasurer ; George H. Trook, Secretary ; G. M. Dodge, S. D.; W. H. R.
Dean, J. D.; George L. Nicholson, Tyler.
December, 1875, the following were chosen : N. Browning, W. M.;
Edward Gillis, S. W.; G. M. Dodge, J. W.; Eli Meek, Treasurer; W. M.
Hamsher, Secretary; W. C. Andes, S. D.; A. Crannell.J. D.; George L.
Nicholson, Tyler ; F. T. Nichols and George H. Trook, Seniorand Junior
Stewards.
December 27, 1876, were elected: J. S. Hart, W. M.; Ed. Gillis, S. W.;
W. M. Hamsher, J. W.; John Schrautz, Treasurer ; E. D. McCoy, Secre-
tary ; A. Crannell, S. D.; George L. Nicholson, J. D.; Albert Clark, Tyler ;
Levi Gillis and H. Dill, Stewards.
December 27, 1877, the following were elected : M. M. Smith, W.
M.; J. S. Hart, S. W.; E. A. Welty, J. W.; John Schrautz, Treasurer ;
Edward Gillis, Secretary; Charles Corsaut, S. D.; P. S. Durham, J. D.;
G. M. Dodge and H. Dill, Stewards ; M. S. Strickler, Tyler.
In December, 1878, were elected: M. M. Smith, W. M.; E. A.
Welty, S. W.; C. K. Corsaut, J. W.; George H. Carpenter, Treasurer;
Peter Welty, Secretary; J. S. Hart, S. D.; P. S. Durham, J. D.; M.
Strickler, Tyler ; George H. Trook and William Hoblitzell, Stewards.
136 HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
In December, 1879, the following were chosen : M. M. Smith, W.
M.; Alvin Bates, S. W.; J. B. Denny, J. W.; George H. Carpenter,
Treasurer; J. S. Hart, Secretary; G. M. Dodge, S. D. ; P. S. Durham, J.
D.; M. D. Merritt, Tyler.
In December, 1880, were elected Alvin Bates, W. M. ; William
Hamshef, S. W.; P. P. Welty, J. W.; George H. Carpenter, Treasurer;
Lee Durham, Secretary; C. K. Corsaut, S. D.; C. S. Armstrong, J. D.;
M. D. Merritt, Tyler ; J. S. Hart and M. M. Smith, Stewards.
In December, 1881, the election resulted as follows : J. S. Hart, W.
M.; W. M. Hamsher, S. W.; C. S. Armstrong, J. W.; George H. Car-
penter, Treasurer; M. M. Smith, Secretary; Peter Welty, S. D.; P. S.
Durham, J. D.; G. M. Dodge and J. B. Denny, Stewards ; M. D. Merritt,
Tyler.
Keystone Royal Arch Chapter, No. 46, was set to work in Oregon,
Holt County, Missouri, by C. A. Rowley, D. D. H. P., November 23,
1867, with the following officers : H. Murphey, H. P.; H. C. Busick,
J. G. Cowan, Scribe ; Daniel Zook, Secretary ; George Weber, C. H.;
W. H. Williams, P. S.; A. Gillfillin, R. A. C; J. B. Curry, G. M. 3d V.;
Dr. C. S. Meek, G. M. 2d V.; Henry Meyer, G. M. 1st V.
This Chapter was again organized on the 10th of March, 1870, by
virtue of a charter granted October 7, 1869. The first officers under
this charter were J. S. Hart, H. P.; J. T. Sedwick, K. ; E. VanBuskirk,
S.; M. M. Smith, P. S.; J. N. Masters, C. H.; E. L. Allen, Treasurer;
Daniel Zook, Secretary; H. Murphey, R. A. C; Samuel C. Masters, G.
M. 3d V.; C. A. David, G. M. 2d V.; A. Gillfillin, G. M. 1st V.; James
Curry, Guard.
The above were elected October 24, 1869, and the Chapter was set
to work March 10, 1870, by John F. Houston, M. E. G. H. P.,. with the
folloAving officers: J. S. Hart, H. P.; H. Murphey, K.; E. Van Buskirk,
S.; J. N. Masters, C. H.; M. M. Smith, P. S.; E. L. Allen, R. A. C; A.
Gillfillin, G. M. 3d V.; Daniel Zook, Secretary ; J. G. Cowan, Treasurer;
F. S. Rostock, Guard.
December 26, 1871, the following were elected : M. M. Smith, H.
P.; H. Murphey, K.; E. Van Buskirk, S.; T. C. Dungan, P. S.; S. P. Jewell,
C. H.; Levi Oren, Treasurer; Daniel Zook, Secretary; E. L. Allen, R. A.
C; R. N. Howell, G. M. 3rd V.; John Wallace, G. M. 2nd V.; Charles
David, G. M. 1st V.
December 1872, the same officers were again chosen.
December 1873 were chosen, M. M. Smith, H. P.; R. N. Howell, K.;
John Wallace, S. ; J. N. Masters, C. H. ; T. C. Dungan, P. S. ; E. L. Allen, R.
A. C; Daniel Zook, Treasurer; A. Roecker, Secretary; Levi Oren, G. M.
3rd V; E. Van Buskirk, G. M. 2nd N.; R. Montgomery, G. M. 1st V; F.
S. Rostock, Guard. The above were installed and set to work by Past
High Priest Joseph S. Browne, of St. Joseph.
BENTON TOWNSHIP. 137
December 8, 1874, were elected the following : M. M. Smith, H. P.;
R. N. Howell, K.; John Wallace, S.; J. N. Masters, C. H. ; T, C. Dungan,
P. S.; E. L. Allen, R. A. C; John Dyche, G. M. 3rd V.; Robert Mont-
gomery, G. M. 2nd V.; E. Van Buskirk, G. M. 1st V.; Daniel Zook,
Treasurer; Albert Roecker, Secretary; F. S. Rostock, Guard.
December 14, 1875 the following were elected : M. M. Smith, H. P.;
R. N. Howell, K.; John Wallace, S.; J. N. Masters, C. H.; T. C. Dungan,
P. S.; E. L. Allen, R. A. C; W. B. Orr, G. M. 3rd V.; E. Van Buskirk,
G. M. 2nd V.; Robert Montgomery, G. M. 1st V.; Levi Oren, Treasurer;
E. A. Brown, Secretary; F. S. Rostock, Guard.
December 12, 1876 the following were chosen : W. H. Williams,
H. P.; G. M. Dodge, K.; W. B. Orr, Scribe; J. N. Masters, C. H.; T. C.
Dungan, P. S.; E. L. Allen, R. A. C.; Levi Oren, G. M. 3rd V.; E. Van
Buskirk, G. M. 2nd V.; Robert Montgomery, G. M. 1st N.; Albert Roecker,
Treasurer; W. G. Mclntyre, Secretary; F. S. Rostock, Guard.
December 11, 1877 the following were the officers chosen: T. C.
Dungan, H. P.; M. M. Smith, K.; G. M. Dodge, S ; J. N. Masters, C. H.;
W. G. Mclntyre, P. S.; E. L. Allen, R. A. C; Levi Oren, G. M. 3rd V.;
E. Van Buskirk, G. M. 2nd V.; B. F. Fleming, G. M. 1st V.; Albert
Roecker, Treasurer; Robert Montgomery, Secretary; John Wallace,
Guard.
In 1878 there was no election held.
December 9, 1879 tne officers chosen were M. M. Smith, H. P.; E.
VanBuskirk, K.; E. Annibal, S ; J. S. Hart, C. H.; G. M. Dodge, P. S.; W.
G. Mclntyre, R. A. C; B. F. Fleming, G. M. 3rd V.; J. F. Bridgeman, G.
M. 2nd V; J. N. Masters, G. M. 1st V.; E. A. Brown, Treasurer; E. Gillis,
Secretary; F. S. Rostock, Guard.
In 1880, the above officers were all re-elected.
Februarys, 1881, the Chapter was moved to Mound City, where it
has since continued to occupy the hall of Mound City Lodge No. 294,
over W. M. Hamsher's store, on the northeast corner of State and Main
Streets.
December, 1881, occurred the first election of officers of the Chapter
in Mound City. The following was the result: M. M. Smith, H. P.;
Robert Montgomery, K.; E. Annibal, S.; J. S. Hart, C. H.; G. M.
Dodge, P. S.; Ed. Gilles, R. A. C; B. F. Fleming, G. M. 3d V.; J. F.
Bridgeman, G. M. 2d V.; E. VanBuskirk, G. M. 1st V; E. A. Brown,
Treasurer ; W. G. Mclntyre, Secretary, and F. S. Rostock, Guard.
There are in the town of Mound City three
CHURCHES.
The Presbyterian Church was organized by Rev. E. B. Sherwood,
May, 1872, with the following members : W. W. Frazer, Miss M. A.
138 HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
Frazer, Mrs. Jane Glenn, Andrew Frazer and Mrs. C. E. Strickler, the
first three of whom are still numbered with its membership. Rev. M.
L. Anderson was their first minister, remaining- till July, 1873, when
Rev. W. G. Thomas was elected pastor. He remained for a little more
than a year, after which the church was without regular preaching,
except for a few months, during which period Mr. Carr and Mr. J. O.
Pierce^ licentiates, served the congregation. June, 1877, Rev. Duncan
Brown, the present (1882) pastor, took charge of the church, which then
included, in all, thirteen members. Since that period 124 persons have
united with this church. Its present membership is 122, fourteen having
withdrawn to unite with other organizations, and one having been
added. The church edifice is a neat gothic frame structure, with vesti-
bule and gallery. It was built in 1874 and 1875, at a cost of $2,500.
In the three years immediately preceding the present (1882), further
improvements were added at a cost of about $600, rendering it a taste-
ful and comfortable house of worship. The structure is not only com-
pleted,but entirelypaid for. Regular services are held in this church every
Sunday. Attached to this church is a ladies' missionary society, a child-
ren's missionary society, and a Sabbath school numbering 150 scholars.
The present (1882) church officers are Elders W. W. Frazer, Dr. George C.
Brown, M. M. Smith, W. H. Watt, W. M. Hamsher and George H. Car-
penter. The deacons are W. M. Hamsher and W. A. Long. E. A.
Welty, Sunday school superintendent. The history of this church is
remarkable, from the fact that in the rear of and adjoining this church,
is the Mound City Academy, a private institution of learning, superin-
tended by Rev. D. Brown, pastor of the said church. It is liberally
patronized, and a credit to the educational enterprise of the town.
CHRISTIAN CHURCH.
The Christian Church in Mound City is a frame building of sub-
tantial character and fair appearance. It was erected in 1878. The
organization, however, of which it is the outgrowth, existed before the
civil war. It now includes a membership of between one hundred and
seventy-five and two hundred. In December, 1879, David Wetzel, the
present (1882) minister, was chosen pastor. The present church was
dedicated on the third Sunday of February, 188 1. The Sunday School,
which includes over one hundred scholars, is under the direction of Mr.
J. B. Denny, a representative druggist of the town.
M. E. CHURCH.
The society of the Methodist Episcopal Church in Mound City was
organized in 1864, with a membership of five. Thest deluded David
Gillis and wife, Mrs. Sarah Dodge and Mrs. Hoblitzell.
BENTON TOWNSHIP. 1 39
Mound City was an appointment on the Oregon circuit. Rev.
Thos. Hollingsworth was preacher in charge. The church building, a
neat frame structure 30x40 feet, was erected in 1879, and -cost, including
bell, organ and furniture, about $1,400.
The present (1882) membership of this organization, including those
on probation, is one hundred. The society also owns a neat frame resi-
dence building occupied as a parsonage, on which they have expended,
in the past year in the way of repairs, the sum of four hundred dollars.
MILLS.
Reference has already been made to the original saw mill, built in
the town by Hoover, in 1857. This has long been numbered with the
things of the past.
The first flouring mill in Mound City, and, indeed, in Benton Town-
ship, was built in 1871, by John Handford, the present (1882) proprietor.
In 1869 he put up, on the site of this mill, a steam-power saw mill, which
he operated till he substituted for the same the enterprise above referred
to. This he began on a very small scale, a single run of burrs for grind-
ing corn completing the capacity of the mill, which is now provided with
three run of burrs, with a grinding capacity of 250 bushels of grain per
day. It is known as the East Mound City Mills and is operated by steam
power.
Mound City Steam Flouring Mills were built in 1876, by W. J. Hall,
at a cost of about eight thousand dollars. The building is a two and a
half story frame structure, fifty by thirty-six feet area. It is furnished
with three run of burrs, affording a grinding capacity of three hundred
bushels of wheat and corn per day.
On the 23d of February, 1878, occurred a disastrous explosion of the
boiler of this mill, attended with terrible fatal results. Five men fell vic-
tims to the catastrophe. These were Caldwell, the miller ; a wood-hauler
by the name of Riley McWilliams, James Anderson, a farmer ; James
Dawson, and the engineer. No just blame was considered to attach
to the engineer, or any one connected with the mill, the explosion
being purely accidental. The structure of the mill, which was entirely
wrecked, was rebuilt in 1878 by R. H. Dawson and Mrs. W. J. Hall, the
widow of the original proprietor, who died in July, 1877.
NEWSPAPERS.
A full reference to the history of the newspapers published in Mound
City will be found under the general head of Newspaper Press of Holt
County. The Mound City News now (1882) is a handsome nine-column
sheet, printed and published by Brink & Spencer, who purchased the
paper January 28, 1881. This paper is printed entirely at home, and re-
flects credit on the publishers.
140 HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
SECOND INCORPORATION.
At the August term of the county court, held August n, 1873,
Mound City was incorporated under the village .act, and the following-
were appointed to constitute the town board : Dr. B. Meek, Milton
Herron, Daniel H. Gillis, M. Houston and William Hoblitzell. D. H.
Gillis was chosen chairman of the board, and W. A. Mackoy, secretary.
The first election for town officers was held April 7, 1874, resulting
as follows : Wingate King (who was chosen chairman), Milton Herron,
D. H. Gillis, William Hoblitzell and S. J. Landsdown.
The election of April, 1875, was as follows : Amer Crannell, Adolph
Albiez, George Emmerson, M. B. Moore, Henry Tipton. George Emmer-
son was chosen chairman.
At the election held April, 1876, the following were chosen: Henry
Tipton, W. A. Mackoy, A. J. Martin, James Hart and M. Houston; James
Hart was elected chairman.
The election of April, 1877, resulted as follows: William Wilkin-
son, J. S. Hart, J. F. Davis, Henry Tipton and W. T. Hyde. William
Wilkinson was chosen chairman.
The election of April, 1878, was with the following result ; William
Wilkinson, who was chosen chairman, Henry Tipton, W. T. Hiatt,
James S. Hart and T. Eben Cooper.
At the election of April, 1879, were chosen: William Wilkinson,
also elected chairman, W. T. Hiatt, James S. Hart, Henry Tipton and
T. Eben Cooper.
The election of April, 1880, resulted as follows : William Wilkin-
son, chairman, W. T. Hiatt, H. Tipton, K. F. Rice and E. A. Welty.
The election of April, 188 1, was with the following result : M. M.
Smith, who was chosen chairman, W. T. Hiatt, E. A. Welty, Jacob
Mumm and Lee Durham. M. M. Smith afterwards resigning, Lee Dur-
ham was elected to succeed him as president of the town board.
Reference has already been made to the mineral springs of J. Ogle,
a mile and a-half northwest of Mound City. At the northern extremity
of the town, about five hundred yards from the public square, is the
POOL OF SILOAM,
the property of the pioneer, Levi Dodge. The pool was built at a cost
of several hundred dollars, and is stocked with several varieties of fish.
In the park, east of the pool, is a bath house. Two springs feed the
pool. The following analysis by Professor Charles P. Williams, of Phila-
delphia, determined the component elements of these two springs to be
as follows :
BENTON TOWNSHIP. 141
NORTH SPRING. SOUTH SPRING.
Chloride of Sodium 0.352 Chloride of Sodium . . .• 0.35 17
Sulphate of Soda 0.099 Sulphate of Soda . .- 0.0992
Carbonate of Iron 1 .849 Carbonate of Iron 1.8490
Carbonate of Lime 5.3 16 Carbonate of Lime 5.3160
Carbonate of Magnesia 3.68 1 Carbonate of Magnesia. . . . 3.6810
Aluminia Trace. Silica 1.1480
Oxide Manganese Trace. Organic Matters 3.4722
Silica 1,148
Organic Matters 17.062
Total Solids 15.9171
Total Solids 29.507
An infirmary is to be built here in the spring of 1882.
PROFESSIONAL.
The legal learning of Mound City is centered in the following-named
gentlemen : Brigadier General Wilkinson, also in the commission of the
peace ; C. C. Akin, Esq., H. C. Pepper, Esq., and A. H. Jamison, Esq.
The latter-named gentleman is also engaged in the real estate business.
The medical profession is represented by B. Meek, M. D., the pioneer
physician and surgeon of the vicinity ; Dr. J. M. Tracy, G. W. Haken, M.
D., etc., Dr. G. E. Brown, Dr. H. Pool, the magnetic healer, and Dr. M.
Seville. The latter named gentleman, though a comparatively recent
settler in Mound City, is recognized as a physician of long standing in
Holt County.
Dr. W. D. Trinque is the representative dentist of Mound City.
POSTMASTERS.
We have already referred to the fact that Hon. Galen Crow was the
first to hold the position of postmaster, on the removal, in 1855, of the
office to North Point, now Mound City. His successor was Daniel Gillis.
After him came W. J. Marshall, succeeded by Major H. Dill, who served
till July 27, 1867, when he was succeeded by Addison N. Glenn. In 1875
Joseph V. Hinchman succeeded to the charge of the post-office, and con-
tinued to discharge its duties till 1877, when he was succeeded by Win-
gate King. January 7, 1882, King died, and ten days after Addison N.
Glenn was appointed his successor.
RAILROAD FACILITIES.
The Nodaway Valley Branch of the Kansas City St. Joseph and
Council Bluffs Railroad, extending in a northeasterly direction from
Bigelow to Burlington Junction, in Nodaway County, a distance of thirty-
142
HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
three miles, was completed to Mound City in the summer of 1880.; andr
on the 2d day of August, of the same year, a station was opened in that
place, and F. Peter Rogers, the present (1882) agent, appointed to the
charge of the same. This station, which is in the southeast part of the
town, in the Davis Creek bottom, stands on a surface eight hundred and
ninety-four and a half feet above the sea level. The following is a cor-
rect statement of the shipments from Mound City, for the year ending
December 31, 1881, as furnished us by the accommodating agent, F,
Peter Rogers :
Names of Shippers.
Cars of Grain
to Chicago.
Cars of grain
St. Louis.
Cars of Stock
to Chicago
Cars of Stock
to Kan. City.
Cars of Stock
to St. Joe.
Cars of Grain
to Kan City.
s of Hay to
■it. Joseph.
*W
1-c
W
c
to
144
«5
25
27
3i
17
17
10
51
3°
377
78
4
22
14
IO
128
Ct
6
6
12
H
52
5
8
65
Ct
6
7
13
H
5"
17
67
W
c
24
24
U
John E Caton
J G Elliott
B F. Doran
James Paden
G H Root
Cain & Co
J. Baker . .
E. D. Nash
0. Bryant & Co
D. Dows & Co
15
29
66
13
44
7
115
22
22
6
4
10
9
Totals
no
9,
*W Wheat; fC Corn ; JCc Cattle; \ H Hogs
The shipments to Mound City during the same period were as fol-
lows :
From Chicago — 171 car loads pine lumber; 5 car loads wagons ; r
car load horses ; 2 car loads lime ; 1 car load potatoes ; 2 car loads
barbed wire ; 4 car loads salt, amounting to 186 car loads from Chicago.
From St. Joseph and other points were received in the same period
— 27 car loads coal ; 12 car loads lime ; 1 car load stoves ; 23 car loads-
native lumber; 5 car loads cord wood ; 1 car load cement;. 2. car loads
furniture ; 2 car loads salt ; 17 car loads brick ; 5 car loads railroad iron ;:
7 car loads rock; 1 car load earthen ware ; I car load fruit trees ; 13 car
loads sand ; 3 car loads barbed wire ; 7 car loads cattle ; 3; car loads-
hogs ; 4 car loads agricultural implements ; 2 car loads wagons ; 2, car
loads piling: 2 car loads nails, amounting in all to 140 car loads,, which,
added to the receipts from Chicago, made 326 car loads.
KENTON TOWNSHIP.
H3
BANK.
February 14, 1880, the Holt County Bank was organized in Mound
City, with a capital of $20,000, and has since continued to do a prosper-
ous business. The officers of this institution are Robert Montgomery,
President ; Albert Roecker, Vice President, and Hugh Montgomery,
Cashier. The bank is located on State Street, opposite W. Hamsher's
store, and is regarded as a substantial and reliable concern.
From the sworn statements of merchants doing business in Mound
City, as shown in the tax book for 1881, it appears that the valuation of
mercantile property in that town was $37,290, on which was paid a state
tax of $ 146.82!, and a county tax of $ 146.32!, making a total of $293. 65^,.
and showing over Craig, the next town in point of commercial importance
in the county, an excess in valuation of $9,275.
The commercial and mechanical business of Mound City, in Feb-
ruary, 1882, was transacted by the following named persons :
Austin, S. B. & J. M., general mer-
chants.
Bennett & Co., druggists.
Bradley, N. M., saloon.
Book, Jacob, dealer in native lum-
ber.
Biggers, Miss Rose, milliner.
Backus & Co., carpenters.
Bariteau & Welch, elevator.
Caton, John E.. live stock shipper.
Carter, G. M., sewing machine agt.
Criswell, James, family groceries.
Crannell, Amer, dealer in buggies,
wagons, etc.
Cooper, T. E., shoemaker.
Corsaut & Meyer, general store.
Carpenter, G. H., harnessmaker.
Durham & Mounts, livery stable.
Durham, Lee, J. P. and harnessma-
ker.
Dean, William, confectioner.
Denny, J. B., druggist.
Dick, Warren, wagonmaker.
Elliott, J. G., general merchant.
Frazer, McL., confectioner.
Groves & Ferguson, general store.
Graves, C. H., blacksmith.
Hill, Hugh, barber shop.
Hoblitzell, Smith & Jesse, hard-
ware.
Hoblitzell, Smith & Jesse, lumber
dealers.
Herron & McKee, carpenters, etc..
Harriman & Whaley, photographers
Hamsher, W. M., general merchant.
Mahan, Rev. W. S., photographer.
Mumm, Moss & Co., lumber deal-
ers.
Muxlow, Edward, English Kitchen
Hotel.
McKinney, G. M., wagonmaker.
McCann, Jacob, carpenter and con-
tractor.
Moore, C. J., grain elevator.
Montgomery. Hugh, Cashier Holt
County Bank.
Newton, Joseph, blacksmith.
Owen & Barber, Misses, millinery..
Preston, William E., wagonmaker.
Pierce & Son, carpenters. •
Pierce & Willis, butchers.
Rice, John, painter.
Smith & Andes, general merchants,.
Smith, E. G., painter.
144 HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
Glenn & Co., R. C, furniture. Thol, Nuke, bootmaker.
Glenn & Co., R. C, drugs. Taylor & Landon, carpenters.
George & Miller, hardware. Vanderslice & Co., butchers.
Gibson, John, blacksmith. Youse, John, house painter.
Hiatt, W. T., hotel and livery stable. Youse & Co., carpenters, etc.
Houston, M., furniture and coffins.
BUILDINGS.
In the summer and fall of i88r, not less than sixty buildings of
different size and character were erected within the limits of Mound
City. Not a few of these were residences costing, at least, two thousand
dollars. The demand for brick far exceeded the supply, and many were
imported from St. Joseph and other comparatively distant points. In
default of this necessary material, several extensive business houses were
built in the town of pine lumber, among these was a two-story building
24x80 feet, put up by Miss Rose Biggers, a lady long engaged in the
millinery business in the town. Criswell & Gordon also erected a two-
story frame business house 20x60 feet. Dr. Gordon completed a two-
story brick business house on State Street, in the winter of 1881-82.
OPERA HOUSE.
The pride of Mound City, in an architectural as well as histrionic
point of view, is the new and elegant structure of Corsaut & Meyer's
opera house, which stands on the southeast corner of State and Main
Streets, fronting on the former. This notable expression of the spirit of
enterprise for which Mound City is especially known, is a brick building
42x80 feet in extent. The lower floors are occupied by the handsomely
appointed business house of Corsaut & Meyer, and the equally elegant
drug store of J. B. Denny. The upper floor of this building constitutes
the audience room of the opera house. This includes the entire area of
the building, 42x80 feet, with a twenty-two foot ceiling. The stage with
adjoining ante rooms is 20x42 feet. The same is elegantly and elab-
orately fitted up with shifting scenery of the most approved style. The
drop curtain, which is no less notable for the beauty of its design than for
the consummate skill displayed in the execution of the painting by which
it is embellished, is unsurpassed, if equalled, by any similar theatrical
feature in the State. The audience room seats comfortably six hundred
persons, and is readily accessible by means of a broad and easy stairway
leading to the double swinging doors of the public entrance. The
building was completed in the winter of 1881-82, and was first opened
on the night of December 23rd, 1881, with the play of Draper's Uncle
Tom's Cabin. On this occasion seven hundred spectators crowded the
house, and were witnesses of its excellent acoustic merits.
The cost of the entire structure was about twelve thousand dollars.
BENTON TOWNSHIP. 1 45
^BIOGRAPHICAL. "4
HENRY L. ACTON,
•
farmer, section 2i, was born in Morrow County, Ohio, March 12, 1836.
His ancestors were natives of England, and his father, Osborn Acton,
was born in Maryland. He was married in Ohio to Miss Rachel Het-
rick, a native of Pennsylvania, whose ancestors were from Germany.
Henry L. was the fourth in a family of six children. In 185 1 he came
with his father, to Holt County, Missouri, where he has since resided, ex-
cepting about two years, when he lived in Kansas. In 1872 he moved to
his present location, and now owns a farm-of 160 acres. During 1861 he
was in the Missouri State militia for six months. March 8, 1863, Mr.
Acton was married to Miss Nancy A. Kunkel, who was born in Mor-
row County, Ohio, January 3, 1844. Her father, Barnabas Kunkel, was
a native of Pennsylvania. Her mother's maiden name was Catharine
Secrest, a native of Pennsylvania. Mrs. A. was the second child in a
family often, and in 1848 came to Missouri. They have had five child-
ren, two of whom are now living, Lillie R. and John F. Mr. A. and wife
are members of the United Brethren Church, and he is also a minister of
that denomination, holding a quarterly conference license.
JOHN J. ADAMS,
farmer, section 21, the second child in a family of eight, was born in
Edgar County, Illinois, November 17, 1836, his ancestors having been
natives of Kentucky. His father, Jacob T. Adams, went to Illinois when
113 years of age, and there he was married to Miss Sarah Cunningham,
daughter of James Cunningham, a native of Virginia. John J. Adams
was reared and educated in his native county, and in 1855, ne ^e^ his
parents' home, and in 1858, came west. He made a number of trips
across the plains to Denver, Utah Territory, etc., and continued the
freighting business till the spring of 1866, being a part of the time in
Holt County. Since 1866, he has made this county his home, and in
1873, he located on his farm, where he has since resided. His farm
:ontains 200 acres. Mr. A. was married to Marila Leech, October 21,
[877. She was born in Fremont County, Iowa, October 27, i860. They
lave two children : Sallie and Charlie.
10
I46 HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
JONATHAN ANDES,
farmer, section 9, was born in Shenandoah County, Virginia, July 30,
181 1. His grand parents were natives of Maryland, and his father was
born in Virginia. He was there married to Miss Elizabeth Good, who
was born in Virginia, and they had a family of thirteen children, of whom
Jonathan was the oldest. When he was about three years of age his
parents moved to Rockingham County, Virginia, where he was reared,
receiving a fair education both in German and English. March 7, 1839,
he was married to Miss Anna Roadcap, who was born in Page County,
Virginia, November 18, 1818, the third of a family of fourchildren. Her
father, Daniel Roadcap, was a native of Virginia, and her mother, form-
erly Frances Hoffman, was born in Pennsylvania. After his marriage
Mr. Andes located in Augusta County, Virginia, and in 1853 he immi-
grated, with his family, to Delaware County, Indiana, where he continued
to live till 1871, when they came to Holt County, Missouri. He has fol-
lowed agricultural pursuits from boyhood, and now has a landed estate
of over 681 acres, a part of which he has given to his children. His home
farm contains over 201 acres, which is finely improved, his house and
surroundings presenting an attractive appearance. Their family con-
sists of twelve children, seven of whom are living : Elizabeth, born Au-
gust 31, 1 841 ; William C, born June 4, 1845 ; Frances, born September
5, 1849; Susan, born November 21, 185 1 ; Mary A., born April 14, 1858;
Martha, born May 16, i860 ; Amanda, born January I, 1864.
WILLIAM C. ANDES,
one of Holt County's most active and extensive farmers, was born in
Rockingham County, Virginia, June 4, 1845, and resided in the same
localities as his parents, Jonathan and Anna (Roadcap) Andes, till 18:9,
when he came from Deleware County, Indiana, to Holt County, Missouri.
He has made farming his occupation during life, with the exception of a
few years, when frfe was engaged in working at the carpenter's trade.
His estate consists of 400 acres of good land. He is a member of Mound
City Lodge No. 294, A. F. and A. M. Mr. Andes was married February
15, 1 87 1, to Miss Emma Shafer, a daughter of John Shafer, a native of
Pennsylvania. She was born in Berks County, Pennsylvania, in March,
1847. They have had six children, of whom four are now living: Laura,
Eliza, Millard and Ida.
S. B. AUSTIN
is of S. B. & J. M. Austin, a leading firm of Mound City. The mercantile
trade of Holt County, is ably represented by these parties, who do a large
and successful business. They are both men of experience, having worked
BENTON TOWNSHIP. 1 47
in the dry goods trade from boyhood. > Their father, Jeremiah Austin,
was born in Connecticut, and emigrated to New York, and while in that
State he was married at Fort Covington to Miss Betsie Howard, a native
of New Hampshire. They located in Morley, St. Lawrence County,
New York, where S. B. and J. AT. Austin were born, the former on June
15, 1844, and J. M. on the 6th of November 1841. They were reared
and educated in their native town, and during their boyhood days
assisted their father, who was a lumber dealer, in that business. In 1862
S. B. Austin went to Ogdensburg, New York, where he was employed as
clerk in a dry goods store till the winter of 1870, when he came to St.
*
Joseph, Missouri. There he followed different mercantile pursuits till
1874, when he came to Mound City, and since that time he has been
engaged in his present business, though under different firm names. Mr.
A. was married October 15, 1874 to Miss Josia Pitcher, a daugther of S.
D. Pitcher, a native of Connecticut. Her mother's maiden name was
Margaret Drew, a native of Kentucky. Mrs. Austin was born in Clay
County, Missouri, March 18, 1853, and was married at Liberty, where she
had been educated. They have one child, George F. In the year 1857,
J. M. Austin went to Ogdensburg, New York, where he was for six
years engaged in selling goods, after which he accepted a position as
salesman in a large retail dry goods house of Boston. This he contin-
ued for two years, and from that time till the latter part of 1875, he was
engaged as traveling salesman over the State of New York in the inter-
est of different wholesale dry goods houses of Boston and New York.
Among his employers were Swedser, Swan & Blodget, and Ordway, Brad-
bury & Co., both of Boston, he being with the latter firm from January,
1866, till the Boston fire, which occurred November 9, 1872. Mr. A.
then traveled from New York till. 1874, the first year being with Diggs,
Cunningham & Co., then with S. B. Chittendon & Co., after which time
he returned to Boston. F'or a period he traveled for Perry, Cook & Tower.
In the latter part of 1875, he came west, and since then has journeyed
over Kansas, Colorado and New Mexico, from St. Joseph, Kansas City
and St. Louis. July 1, 1881, he came to Mound City, Missouri, where he
had previously had an interest in business for some time.
J. P. BAGBY,
farmer, section g, is a son of Richard Bagby, Esq., who was born in Rock-
bridge County, Virginia, and when about fifteen years old moved to
Kentucky, locating in Barren County. There he was married to Miss
Sarah M. Field, a native of Virginia. They emigrated to Missouri in the
year 1837. J. P. was born in Buchanan County, Missouri, August 30,
1841. In 1851, with his parents, he came to Holt County and located on
the place where he now resides. His farm consists of 280 acres. Mr-
148 HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
B. served in the late war, from 1861 until its close, being in the Confeder-
ate service. He was was mustered out of Co. A. Sixteenth Missouri. He
is a member of Mound City Lodge No. 294, A. F. and A. M. Mr. Bagby
was married September 14, 1872, to Miss Nancy Rodgers, and by this
marriage they had five children, three of whom are now living : Samuel,
Robert G., and Martha M. Mrs. B. was born in Monroe County, Iowa,
January 14, 1849. Her father, James Rodgers, was a native of Ten-
nessee, and her mother, whose maiden name was Martha Mudd, was a
Kentuckian by birth.
GEORQE BENNETT,
of the firm of Bennett & Demming, dealers in drugs, stationery, etc., is a
son of George J. and Jane (McDonald) Bennett, who were residents of
London when George was born, November 24, 1840. He was educated
in London, and during the last year of his abode there was engaged in
selling drugs. In 1855, he came to America, landing at San Francisco,
where he was employed at various branches of business, clerking, etc.,
till the beginning of the war of 1861, when he enlisted in Company C,
Third California Volunteer Infantry. He remained in service for three
years and three months, being mustered out as orderly sergeant. After
his enlistment, his regiment was called to Utah Territory, where they
were stationed during his time in service. Mr. B. remained in Salt Lake
City one year after being mustered out, and then went to Montana, where
he was engaged in clerking. He subsequently came to Holt County,
Missouri, where he was occupied in farming till 1879, when he came to
Mound City, and embarked in his present business. He has acted as
county assessor for three years, and as deputy for four years, in a very
acceptable manner. Mr. Bennett was married July 1.3, 1869, to Miss
Julia E. Demming, a daughter of Butler Demming, of Ohio. They have had
six children, four of whom are living: George O., Guy, Clara and Ed.
McCoy.
URIAH AND JAMES BLAIR,
among the very first settlers in Benton Township, are natives of Indiana.
Uriah was born March 22, 1825, and James was born December 26, 1826.
Their parents, John M. and Mary E. (Billings) Blair, had a family of six
children, the first two of whom were twins, one daughter and one son,
Uriah. James was the next child born. In 1827 they moved to Pike
County, Illinois, and were among the first settlers of that State. In 1836
they visited Iowa, locating on Skunk River, where Mrs. Blair died. After
this event they returned to Pike County, Illinois, where they lived till
1839, and then came to Holt County, Missouri, and located in section 20,
township 61, range 38. This farm is now owned by Uriah and James Blair,
the formar having 170 acres and Jam^s 193 acres. At the time they set-
BENTON TOWNSHIP. 149
tied in Benton Township there were no people living within its present
boundaries but Indians. They attended school in the first schoolhouse
built in the township, which was a log cabin without even a fire-place,
though on one side a log was left out for a window. The building was
erected in 1840, in section 17, township 61, range 38, by the Blair family,
the Baldwin family (the second settlers in the township), James Kimsey,
John Hughes and one other person. The first session was taught by a man
by the name of Lattimore, from the East, he being known as the Yankee
teacher. In the spring of 1849 Uriah and James Blair, in company with a
large expedition, started from Holt County for California. Their father
also accompanied them. The party left about May 10, and the senior Blair
died while on the road, on Carson River, at the foot of the Sierra Nevada
Mountains, and was there buried. While in California the brothers were
engaged in gold mining, on the tributaries of the American River.
James returned to Holt County in February, 1850, and his brother in the
summer of the same year. Uriah was a soldier in the Mexican War. He
was sworn into the service of the United States at Leavenworth, July 4,
1847, as a member of what was known as the Oregon Battalion, attached
to Col. Powell's regiment. The expedition ascended the Missouri River
and returned to what is now Nebraska City, where they remained during
the winter of 1847-8, and the next spring set out across the plains for
Fort Kearney. News reached them of the close of the war and they
were ordered back to Leavenworth to be discharged. He was a Demo-
crat before the late war, but has since been a Republican. He is a mem-
ber of Mound City Lodge, No. 294, A. F. and A. M. December 16, 1858,
he was married to Miss Eveline Mackey, by which marriage there were
born seven children : Alice M., C. Calvin, Mary E., Eva Z., Frank N.,
Cora I. (now deceased), and George D. Mrs. Blair, the fourth child in a
family of eleven children, was born in Pike County, Missouri, January
30, 1840. She was reared, educated and married in her native county.
Her grandfather was a native of Scotland, and her father, Cyrus Mackey,
of North Carolina, who came to Missouri in an early day and was mar-
ried, in Pike County, to Miss Charlotta Jones, a native of Tennessee. She
now lives in Pike County, Missouri. Mr. James Blair was married
April 8, 1852, to Miss Emeline Jasper. Twelve children were the fruit
of this union, ten of whom are now living : Dr. F., William D., Truston,
Lena B., Anna E., Minnie M., Robert and Mattie (twins), James and
Walter. Mrs. Blair's father, Merrill Jasper, was a native of Kentucky,
and he was there married to Miss Elizabeth Shepherd, a native of Ken-
tucky. They moved to Missouri in an early day, and lived in Pike
County till about 1844, when they came to Holt County. Mr. Jasper died
in August, 1845, and Mrs. Jasper in March, 1873.- They had a family of
six children, Mrs. Blair being the second child.
150 HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
JACOB BOHART,
farmer, section 34, is the son of Philip Bohart, who was a native of
Germany, and who came to America when about eight years of age.
He was married in Buchanan County, Missouri, to Miss Martha Russell,
who was born in South Carolina. They had a family of ten children,
Jacob being the fourth. He was born in Buchanan County, Missouri,
July 25, 1845. When he was eleven years of age his parents moved to
Holt County, Missouri, where he has since resided. He has followed
farming as an occupation during life, and now has a farm of one hundred
and sixty acres. He was married February 15, 1868, to Martha A.
Gibson, a native of Holt County, Missouri, born April 20, 1849. Her
parents were John and Sarah Gibson, the former a native of England,
and the latter of Kentucky. Their family consists of one child, Anna
E. Mr. and Mrs. B. are members of the Christian church.
JOHN R. BRINK,
■
of the firm of Brink & Spencer, editors and proprietors of the Mound
City News, was born near Chillicothe, Ross County, Ohio, September 27,
1856. His father, John Q. Brink, was also a native of Ross County, Ohio,
and was there married to Miss Mary J. Cryder, of Ross County. They
had five children, John R. being the second in the family. In 1865, the
family moved to Missouri, and located in Nodaway Count)-. John's boy-
hood days were passed on a farm, in a dry goods store and in school, he
receiving an excellent education, which ably qualified him for a teacher,
and he began the occupation of teaching when about eighteen years of
age, and followed the profession principally for about five years. Janu-
ary 28, 1880, he came to Mound City, and purchased a half interest in
the Mound City News. Mr. Brink was married October 5, 1880, to Miss
Helen Kavanaugh, the third child in a family of seven children. She was
born near Maryville, in Nodaway County, Missouri, her father, Nicholas
Kavanaugh, being a native of Kentucky. Her mother's maiden name
was Serepta Saunders, and she was a native of Virginia. Messrs. Brink
& Spencer are publishers of a live, interesting and spicy paper, and being
the only firm not using a patent sheet, are enjoying a large circulation.
NAPOLEON AND JAMES BROWNING,
farmers, section 19, are both natives of Clark County, Kentucky, Napo-
leon having been born December 22, 1835, and Jameson the 4th of June,
1844. Their father, Francis C. Browning, was born in Clark County,
Kentucky, June 11, 1798, and was married in the same county to Miss
Nancy Johnson, who was born in Clark County, Kentucky, May 29,
BENTON TOWNSHIP I 5 I
1806. They moved to Missouri in the year 1846, locating in Platte
County, and in the spring of 1848 they came to Holt County, where
Francis C. Browning died, in March, 1853. They had a 'family of nine
children, seven of whom are now living : Eda, Susan E., Almeda, William,
Alwilda, Napoleon and James. Mrs. Browning now lives with James
Browning, her youngest son, and owns a farm of 160 acres. Napoleon
Browning is a member of Mound City Lodge No. 294, A. F. and A.
M. He was married April 15, 1858, to Miss Margaret R. Wilson, a
daughter of Joseph Wilson. She was born in Hardy County, Virginia,
December 23, 1842. Tney have six children : Lucy A., born June 10,
1863 ; Annie V. L., born March 22, 1865 ; Elizabeth J., born October
14, 1869 ; Frazer, born July 21, 1870; Mary M., born January 6, 1875 ;
Effie B., born April 21, 1878. Mr. and Mrs. B. are members of the
Christian Church. He is an elder and trustee in that church. James
Browning was married November 6, 1864, to Miss Millie Clark, a daugh-
ter of Berry Clark, who was a native of Kentucky. Her mother's
maiden name was Margaret Meek, also a native of Kentucky. Mrs. B.
was born in Henry County, Kentucky, April 6, 1846. They have five
children : Montgomery C, born September 29, 1865 ; William E., born
March 16, 1870: Cora T., born June 22, 1872 ; James L., born February
17, 1875, and Marian B., born August 22, 1878.
GEORGE H. CARPENTER
is an extensive dealer in harness and saddles. His grandfather, Sylves-
ter G. Carpenter, was from New York, and was there married. Bishop
Carpenter, the father of the subject of this sketch, was also a native of
the same state, and was married to Miss Weddle, of New York, her
parents being natives of England. George H. Carpenter was born in
Warren County, New York, February 24, 1824. He was reared on a
farm and was educated in the common schools of Warren County. In
1846, he immigrated to Carroll County, Illinois, where he was engaged
in farming till the fall of 1876, except during the years 1860-61, which
time was spent in the mining country of California. In the fall of 1876,
he came to Mound City, Mo., where he was occupied in the furniture
business till January, 1881, when he began at his present calling, in
which he is meeting with great success. He is the representative busi-
ness man in his line of trade in this city. Mr. C. has been twice mar-
ried : First, May I, 1846, to Miss Minerva Balcom, a daughter of Uriah
and Patience Balcom, who were both natives of Vermont.* Mrs. Car-
penter was born in Warren County, New York, in the year 1822, and
died January I, 1868. They had four children, two of whom are now
living, Augusta and Jenevia. He took for his second wife Miss Alice
A. Morey, a daughter of George and Charlotte Morey, both natives of
152 HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
New York. Mrs. Carpenter was born in Warren County, New York,
July 12, 1848. They have had two children, only one of whom is now
living, George W. Mr. and Mrs. C. are members of the Presbyterian
Church.
T. EBEN COOPER,
manufacturer of fine boots and shoes, is a son of Samuel Cooper, a
native of New York, who in later life emigrated to Ohio, where he was
married to Miss Matilda Pickard, a native of Ohio. They had a family
of eight children, of whom T. Eben Cooper was the fifth. He was born
in Andrew County, Missouri, November 9, 1854, and was reared and
educated in his native county. When twelve years of age he began to
learn his present trade in the town of Fillmore, which he continued till
1875, when he disposed of his shop on account of failing health and went
to Iowa. He was there engaged at his trade in different parts of the
State till February 1876, when he came to Mound City, and since then
has been interested in his present business and is one of the most suc-
cessful men in his line in Northwest Missouri. He is well known to this
vicinity as a first-class mechanic, and gives general satisfaction to all
his customers. Mr. Cooper was married November 9, 1876, to Miss
Martha L. Gregory, a daughter of Rufus R. Gregory, a native of Ken-
tucky. Her mother's maiden name was Mary Crawford, a native of
Ohio. Mrs. C. was born in Lewis County, Kentucky, March 6, 1852.
They have had two children, and of these one is living, Ernest. Mr.
and Mrs. C. are members of the M. E. Church.
CHARLES K. CORSAUT,
of the firm of Corsaut & Meyer, merchants, is a native of London,
Ontario and was born September 2, 185 1. He is the youngest child in
a family of eleven children, and was a son of James Corsaut, who was a
native of New York. His mother's maiden name was Millie Farrar, a
native of Massachusetts. Charles was reared in his native city till he
attained his fourteenth year, receiving his education in the Helmoth
College. He also attended the London Commercial College, from which
institution he was graduated in the year 1869. The principal part of his
time, from the age of sixteen till the year 1874, he was engaged in
teaching school and keeping books for lumber firms on the Lake Shore
and Michigan Southern Railroad. In 1874 he came to Mound City and
was occupied in teaching till 1876, when he accepted a clerkship of W.
M. Hamsher & Co. This he continued two years, and was then for one
year associated in the business as one of the firm. In February, 1880,
he became a member of his present firm, which occupied their new
building December 1, 1881. He is a member of Mound City Lodge,
BENTON TOWNSHIP. 1 53
No. 294, A. F. and A. M.; also the Keystone Chapter, of Mound City.
Mr. Corsaut was married January 7, 1880, to Miss Maggie, a daughter
of Andrew Meyer, Esq. She was born in Holt County, Missouri, June
18, 1856, and died May 9, 1881. They had one child, Maggie N.
AMER CRANNELL,
dealer in grain, buggies, spring wagons, etc., was born in Hadley, Sara-
toga County, New York, February II, 1838. He was the fifth of a family
ofnine children. His father, Elijah Crannell, was a farmer, and his
mother's maiden name was Mary Lord. He received a limited educa-
tion in the common schools of the country, and was raised to habits of
industry, working the greater part of his early life on a farm. In Decem-
ber, 1856, he left his native home and emigrated west, landing in Jack-
son County, Iowa, where he engaged in farming till 1861. In the spring
of that year he crossed the plains with an ox team, and reached Oriville,
California, in September following. In the last week of that month he
enlisted in the Second California Cavalry, U. S. service, and went with
his troop to San Francisco, where he was duly sworn in, and with his
command, Company D., repaired to New San Pedro, California, where
they established a camp. They remained there till June, 1862, when
they moved to Camp Latham, six miles up the coast, about eighteen
miles from Los Angeles. In the three years which he remained in the
service, his command was frequently engaged with the Indians. The lat-
ter they removed finally to a reservation near Fort Tejon. Company
D., of the Second California Cavalry, during their campaign in this
country, established Fort Independence, in Owen River Valley. They
continued to operate against the Indians and rebels of that country till
October, 1864, when they were ordered to San Francisco, where they
were mustered out. This closed the military career of the subject of
this sketch, who filled, at different times during the period of his service,
the positions of farrier and commissary sergeant. In March, 1865, he
left California and returned home by way of Panama, arriving at his
home in Icwa on the day of the assassination of President Lincoln. In
1869 he married, in Iowa, Miss Cornelia E. Bates, daughter of David B.
Bates. By this marriage he has five children living, four sons and one
daughter. In December, 1871, Mr. Crannell moved with his family to
Maryville, Missouri, and thence, in 1872, to Mound City, Missouri, where
he has since continued to reside, pursuing, in the meantime, various
branches of business, and contributing to the growth and advancement
of that important commercial center, of which he is recognized as a rep-
resentative and eminently pop.ular citizen. He established, in partner-
ship with J. F. Davis, the first exclusive hardware store in Mound City,
and subsequently the first extensive harness factory. He is no longer
identified with either of these interests.
154 HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
CHARLES CRAWFORD,
farmer, section 20, is a native of Ireland, and was born in the year 1834.
When fifteen years of age he emigrated to America, after which he was
engaged in various employments, in many different States. In 1856 he
located in Holt County, Missouri, where he has since been engaged in
farming, and now has a farm of one hundred and eighty-one 'acres.
During the war he served in the militia for about nine months. Decem-
ber 8, 1 861, Mr. C. was married to Miss Margaret R. Collins, who was
born in Holt County, Missouri, in October, 1844. They have had nine
children, of whom are now living three boys and four girls : William,
James, Hattie M., Minnie I., Rebecca L., Myrtie E. and Oscar.
CAPTAIN DAVID T. CUMMINS,
farmer, section 30, was born in Crawford County, Ohio, July 30, 1839.
His father, George Cummins, was a native of Pennsylvania, and was
married in Ohio, to Miss Carolina Hoblitzell, who was a native of Ohio.
They had a family of fifteen children, David T. being the seventh child.
He was reared on a farm, and was educated in his native county, and in
April, 1861, enlisted in Company I, of the three months' service under
McClellan. He acted as first duty sergeant, after which he enlisted in
Company H, Sixty-fourth Ohio Infantry, organized by John Sherman,
and known as Sherman's brigade. He remained in service till October
24, 1864, when he was mustered out as captain. He was wounded June
18, 1864, at the battle of Kenesaw Mountain, for which he draws a pen-
sion. After he returned from service, Mr. C. remained in Ohio till the
spring of 1865, when he came to Missouri and located in Holt County,
where he has since resided except for about eighteenth months, when he
was in Brown County, Kansas. During the years 1867-8 he was engaged
in the mercantile trade in Oregon. He now has a farm of 160 acres, on
which he located in December, 1878. He is a member of the Masonic
fraternity, and also belongs to the I. O. O. F. Captain Cummins was
married February 25, 1864, to Miss Jennie Dixon. They have three
children : Charley Sherman, Phil Sheridan, Zella Dixon. Mrs. C. was
born in Crawford County, Ohio, August 28, 1848. Her parents, John
and Margaret (Robinson) Dixon, were both natives of Ohio. Mrs. C.
was reared and educated in her native county, and graduated from the
Springfield Female Seminary in June, 1863.
JONAS B. DENNY,
dealer in drugs and druggists' sundries, was born in Washington County,
Indiana, March 12, 1844. He is a son of Christopher H. and Phoebe
(Wright) Denny, who were both natives of the same county as himself.
r.ENTON TOWNSHIP. 1 55
Jonas was educated in Washington County, and there resided on a farm
till 1862, when he enlisted in Company E, Fifth Indiana Cavalry, of the
Ninetieth Regiment, and remained in service till June, 1865. He was
then mustered out, as regimental bugler, having been in many important
battles, after which he returned to his native county. In the spring of
1866 he came to Missouri, and located in Holt County, and was engaged
in farming till 1872, when he located in Corning and embarked in the
mercantile trade, as one of the firm of Denny Brothers & Co. They con-
tinued to sell goods in that town for two years, when they moved their
stock to Milton, Atchisbn County. In 1878 Mr. Denny sold his interest
and came to Mound City, since which time he has been engaged in sell-
ing drugs, having occupied his present place of business, in Meyer's Opera
House, since October 26, 1881. He is also agent for the Buckeye reaper
and mower. He is a member of Mound City Lodge, No. 294, A. F. and
A. M. Mr. Denny was married December 16, 1869, to Miss Mariah L.
Rayhill, a daughter of Jacob Rayhill, who was a native of Indiana. Her
mother's maiden name was Margaret Morris, also a native of Indiana.
Mrs. Denny was born in Washington County, March 28, 1849, an<^ came
to Holt County, Missouri, in the year 1865. They have a family ot three
child en : Orrie E., Arthur J. and Nell K. Mr. and Mrs. D. are mem-
bers of the Christian Church.
LEVI DODGE,
proprietor of the Pool of Siloam, is a descendant of Caleb Dodge, who
was a native of New Hampshire, and who was there married to Miss
Elizabeth Woodberry. Edward Dodge, the father of the subject of this
sketch, was also born in New Hampshire, and, with the family, emigrated
to Maine, where he was married to Miss Loraine Dand, a native of
Maine. Levi Dodge was born in Waldo County, Maine, July 5, 1814,
and the same year the family moved to Athens County, Ohio, and, in
fall of 1837, to Clinton County, Missouri. He was married in Athens
County, Ohio, January 12th, 1834, to Sarah Hursey. She was born in
Maine, February 8, 1813, and was a daughter of Ariel Hursey, a Free
Will Baptist preacher, who had moved to Athens County, Ohio, in 18 14.
Mr. Dodge was engaged in farming, in Clinton County, till 1850, when
he moved to Filmore, Andrew County, and, in the fall of 1852, settled
on Squaw Creek, in Holt County, on the farm now occupied by John
Schrautz. He was one of the earliest settlers in this part of Missouri,
and made the first path between there and Graham. During a a part of
1853 he sold goods at Graham, and kept the first post office ever estab-
lished in the place ; not having any mail carrier, he made up a subscrip-
tion, amounts from one cent and upwards being given. Removing to
Nebraska, in 1854, Mr. D. kept a trading post at the falls of Nemaha,
156 HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
having no one but Indians for his associates. In 1856, he was in busi-
ness on the old California trail, in Kansas. In 1857 and 1858 he wasl
engaged in a speculative enterprise at Winnebago, Nebraska, which
proved unsuccessful, and, in the fall of 1859, ne returned to Holt County j
where he has since resided. During eighteen years he has moved seven-
teen times. He was engaged in farming till 1876, when he moved tol
Mound City, with the intention of living a retired life, but has sincej
made many improvements to the town. In 1876, he discovered medical
properties in his mineral well, and, in 1877, he prepared a pool, which
he named the- Pool of Siloam, and commenced the erection of a bath
room. During the summer of 1878, at a very great expense, he made
the present Pool of Siloam, the water being supplied by springs.
Adjoining this is a beautiful park, adorned with shade trees and shrub-
bery. He has, in the present (1882) year, erected a hotel on the upper
bank of the park, which is occuped by Dr. Pool as an infirmary. The
analysis of the water, which was made in the fall of 1879, may be seen
in other parts of our history. Mr. Dodge is one of the leading and
most prominent citizens in Holt County, and deserves much credit from
the people of Mound City, for the interest he has taken in the advance-
ment of the town. Mrs. Dodge died January 14, 1879. They had four
children, only one of whom is living, Gilbert M.
PROFESSOR WILLIAM F. DRAKE
is principal of the public schools of Mound City. In order that a
country, city or town may advance and become known as an enlightened
community, nothing is more essential than the educational advantages
which it affords, and to have good schools, it is very necessary that the
educators should be competent to fill the position for which they are
employed ; but to do this energy and enterprise must exist. The citizens
of Mound City may well feel proud of the man who now so ably fills the
position of principal of their schools, for he is a man admirably adapted
to that calling. The grandfather of the subject of this sketch, Stout
Drake, was a native of New Jersey, and when sixteen years of age
emigrated with his father ( who was a native of England ) to Kentucky.
He was married in the latter State to Miss Huldah Pangbern. They
emigrated from Kentucky to Ohio in 1810, and located in Brown County,
where Jonathan S. Drake, the father of William was born. He was there
married to Miss Eleanor Martin, a daughter of Joel Martin, who was a
native of West Virginia. Her mother's maiden name was Jennie Brown,
a native of Virginia. Eleanor Drake was born in Brown County, Ohio.
She and her husband now live in Ohio. Prof. William F. Drake was the
second child in a family of eighteen children. He was born in Brown
County, Ohio, November 16, 1840, and was there reared, receiving the
BENTON TOWNSHIP. 1 57
advantages of the common schools. He afterwards attended Holbrook's
National Normal of Lebanon, Ohio, and while not in school passed his
time on alarm. October 21, 1862 he enlisted in Company K., Fifty-ninth
Ohio Infantry, and remained in service till the close of the war, after
which time he came to Missouri and located in Sheridan County. There
he was engaged in teaching till 1870, when he entered the State Normal
School at Kirksville as a student, and from that institution he was
graduated in 1872, being a member of the first class graduating in the
institution. In 1872 he was elected principal of the public schools of
Oregon, Holt County, Missouri, and continued to occupy that position
for two years, when he was elected principal of the public schools of Rock
Port, Atchison County. These schools he conducted with great satis-
faction to the community till 1880, when he was called to his present
position. During the last four years of his stay in Atchison County, he
was school commissioner of the county. Since coming to Mound City,
Prof. Drake has not only been interested in his school, but in various
improvements of the town, having erected a fine resicence. He was
married February 5, 1874, to Amelia C. Kreek, a daughter of T. I. Kreek,
now of Oregon, Missouri, and who was a native of Maryland. Her
mother's maiden name was Elizabeth Jackson, a native of Pennsylvania.
Mrs. Drake was the second child in a family of ten children, and was
born in Oregon, Holt County, Missouri, August 5, 1855. She was there
reared, educated and married. Prof. D. is a member of the Christian
Church, and Mrs. D. of the M. E. Church.
P. S. DURHAM,
of the firm of Durham & Mounts, proprietors of livery and feed stable, is
the son of Joseph Durham, who emigrated from Kentucky to Indiana,
where he was married to Margaret Ricker, a native of Tennessee. P. S.
Durham is the oldest of a family of six children, and was born in Indi-
ana, October 16, 1837. When but eleven years of age, he left his father's
home, his mother having died a short time previous, and went to Mercer
County, Illinois, where he found himself to be among strangers. He
worked on a farm in Mercer County, and attended the common schools
of that vicinity, and in the fall of 1 870, came to Holt County, Missouri,
where he was engaged in farming till 1877, when he moved to Mound
City. Since that time he has been engaged in his present business. He
was also for some time in the hotel business. Mr. D. is Junior Deacon
of Mound City Lodge No. 294, A. F. and A. M. He has been three
times married: First, June 25, 1857, to Miss Catharine Philips, of Indi-
ana. She was born in the year 1834, and died in 1872. They had eight
children, six of whom are living: Albion, Adda, Flora, Burt, Carrie and
Alice. He took for his second wife Mrs. Fannie Elliott, of Indiana, her
158 HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
maiden name being Fannie Flemming. She died in the year 1875. They
had one child, Jennie. Mr. Durham's third marriage occurred February
6, 1876, to Mrs. Lucy Chambers. Her maiden name was Canada, and
she was born in Illinois, December 23, 1832. They have one child,
Florence.
JOSEPH R. FERGUSON
*
is of the firm of Groves & Ferguson, dealers in general merchandise.!
Joseph M. Ferguson, his grandfather, was born in Fayette County, Ken-
tucky, and was there married to Miss Mary Young, a native of Jessa-
mine County, of the same state. Richard Y. Ferguson, the father of
Joseph R., was born in Jessamine County, Kentucky, and in 183 1 or 1832
he came to Missouri and was married in Franklin County to Miss Mar-
garet Chitwood, who was born in the same county. She was a daughter
of Seth Chitwood, a native of Tennessee. Her mother's maiden name
was Margaret Caldwell, who was born in Franklin County, Missouri.
Joseph R. Ferguson, one of Mound City's most enterprising merchants,
is the first child in a family consisting of seven children, and was born
in Franklin- County, Missouri, August 8, 1851. He was educated in his
native county, where he followed farming till March, 1875, when he
came to Holt County, and located in Forest City. In the latter place
he was engaged as clerk for Joseph Groves till January, 1880, when he
became connected with the present firm, and in January, 1882, opened
out their present store in Mound City. Mr. Ferguson wa"s married Feb-
ruary 19, 1879, to Miss Amelia A. Murphy, who was born in Culpeper
County, Virginia, May 23, 185 1, a daughter of James T. Murphy, also a
native of Virginia. Her mother's maiden name was Helen Marshall,
and she was born in Virginia. In 1856, the family moved to Missouri,
locating in Franklin County. Mrs. F. was the second child in a family
of eight children. Mr. and Mrs. Ferguson have one child, Robert M.
They are members of the M. E. Church.
ELWIN PORTER FORBES,
farmer, section 19, was born in Columbus, New York, May 15, 1829. His
grandfather was a native of England and early emigrated to America,
first locating in Massachusetts, and, while in the revolutionary war, he
was killed. Alfred Forbes, the father of E. P., was born in Massachu-
setts, and, while his father was in the war, the family moved to Ver-
mont, where he was married to Miss Zuliva Bell, a native of Vermont.
Subsequently he went to New York. They had a family of nine children,
E. P. being the eighth in number. When he was two years old the fam-
ily moved to Pennsylvania and located in Corydon, and, in the spring
of 1843, settled in Farmington, Iowa, where he lived till 1848, and then
BENTON TOWNSHIP. 1 59
came to Holt County, Missouri. His father was a physician by profes-
sion, but E. P. learned the blacksmith trade while in Farmington. This
he commenced at Jackson's Poi nt, now Mound City, there at that time
being no prospects of a town. Mr. F. helped to survey the town and
worked at his trade for eighteen years. During the war he was in Iowa.
In 1867 he moved on his farm, which now contains eighty acres, and near
his residence he has a fine fish pond, which is well stocked with fish.
He was the second postmaster in Mound City and held that position for
five years. He was married in the spring of 1852 to Miss Hannah Por-
ter, a native of Ohio, who died in the spring of 1858. They had three
children, two of whom are now living, Alfred C. and Belvin. Plummer
is deceased. Mr. Forbes was again married to Mrs. Dorathy Nicholson,
January 22, 1860. Her maiden name was Hoover, and she was born in
Hardy County, Virginia, February 12, 1826. When three years of age
her parents, John and Sarah (Lykins) Hoover (both natives of Virginia),
moved to Madison County, Indiana, and she was there married *to Will-
iam Nicholson, January 22, 1846. He was born in Ohio, May 14, 1818,
and died May 5, 1852. They had two children, Salona and Francis M.
(now deceased). In 1855 she came to Holt County, Missouri, with her
parents.
GEORGE GILLIS,
one of the most prominent and successful pioneers of Holt County,
is a son of Jonathan Gillis and Dollie, nee Oldfield, both natives
of the State of New York. George Gillis was born in Steuben
County, New York, July 23, 1808. When he was about ten years
of age his parents started for the State of Ohio, their mode of trans-
portation to the Alleghany River being by team. There they pur-
chased a boat and went by water to the Sciota, and located in Sciota
County, where George grew to manhood. He received but a limited
education. He was married, February 14, 1834, to Miss Elizabeth
Dodge, a sister of Levi Dodge, also now a prominent citizen of Holt
County, Missouri, and whose sketch appears elsewhere. She .was born
in Athens County, Ohio, December 13, 1817. Mr. Gillis lived in Athens
County two years, when he moved by ox team, to LaPorte County,
Indiana. Not being contented to settle in the swamps which then
existed in that locality, he returned, at the end of one year, to Athens
County, Ohio, and from there emigrated by team, in 1836, to Missouri,
and located in Clinton County. Since the fall of 1843 he has been a cit-
izen of Holt county, except for three years during the war, when he lived
in Mills County, Iowa. During that conflict he was neutral, trying to
attend to his own affairs and not meddle with outsiders. Mr. Gillis has
followed farming and dealing in stock as an occupation during life. He
was one of the first to engage in the stock business in Holt County, and
i6o
HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
has been one of the most successful men in that industry. Being one of
the pioneers, he had many hardships 'to endure, as is customary in the
settlement of a new country. When he began life for himself he was
poor, but by his own labor and business management he has accumu-
lated considerable wealth. His landed estate, at the present time, con-
sists of 600 acres. He has never held or sought after office, and is a
member of no secret society. He has raised a family of ten children,
all but one of whom are still living. The children are as follows:
Edward, Laurany (now deceased), Levi, Margaret, Pollie, Wayne,
George, Robert, Cynthia, and Delia, who is the only one at home.
EDWARD GILLIS,
stock dealer and breeder of fine blooded cattle, section 24, is a son of
George and Elizabeth (Dodge) Gillis, and was born in Sciota County,
Ohio, November 23, 1834. He resided with his parents in their various
moves, and with them came to Holt County, Missouri, in October, 1844.
Here he has since resided with the exception of one year, during which
time he was in Iowa. He was reared on a farm, receiving the advant-
ages of a common school education, and in 1855, he began clerking in a
store, continuing the same in different houses till 1859, when he bought
a stock of goods, and carried on business for himself in Mound City till
1861. Since that time he has been interested in farming and dealing
in stock, and has been one of the most successful stock men in the county.
He was among the very first to invest in blooded stock, making his first
purchase of thoroughbreds in February, 1872. His landed estate con-
sists of 1,000 acres, 760 acres joining where he lives. His residence is
one of the finest in the county, and was erected in 1871, being located
within two and three-quarters miles of Mound City. He is a member of
Mound City Lodge No. 294, A. F. and A. M., Keystone Chapter No.
46, and also belongs to the I. O. O. F. fraternity. Mr. Gillis was married
January 6, 1863, to Miss Amanda Moore, a daughter of Mr. S. Moore, a
native of Shenandoah County, Virginia. Her mother's maiden name was
Clarissa Skeen, a native of Rockingham County, Virginia. Mrs. G. was
born in Clinton County, Indiana, August 1 1, 1837, and when seven years
of age, her parents moved to Andrew County, Missouri, and two years
after came to Holt County. They have eight children, seven girls and
one boy : Kittie, George B., Clara, Debia, Sadie, Fannie, Charlie and
Bettie. Having quite a family of girls, Mr. Gillis has chosen the plan of
educating them at home by employing a teacher and using one room of
his residence for the school room. He now has one of the best of
instructors, and the school is conducted in the same manner as the com-
mon schools of the county.
BENTON TOWNSHIP. l6l
JOHN H. GLENN
is a member of the firm of R. C. Glenn & Co., extensive dealers in fur-
niture. They also have in an adjoining room the leading drug store in
the city. Their business is carried on in the first building erected in
Holt County, having an iron front. The subject of this sketch is one of
the most prominent citizens of this place, and was born in Gallia
County, Ohio, May 23, 18 18. His grandfather, William Glenn, at a very
early period, emigrated from Virginia to Ohio, and was one of the
pioneers of the southern part of the state, he having made his home
there when thr county was a wilderness, inhabited by only a few scat-
tering persons. John's father, George Glenn, was born in Virginia, and
was a small boy flirhen he came to Ohio with his father. He married
Nancy Carlisle, a native of Virginia, and John H. Glenn vvas the eldest
child by this marriage. He grew to manhood in Gallia County, Ohio,
receiving such an education as the schools ot those early days afforded.
When at the age of twenty-two years, or January 1, 1840, he was mar-
ried to Jane Dupre, who belonged to a family of French descent, and
whose ancesters formerly resided on the Isle of Jersey. After his mar-
riage Mr. G. continued to live in Southern Ohio, and was engaged in
farming and milling in the counties of Gallia and Highland till i860,
when he drifted westward and located in Holt County, Missouri. He
purchased land in Whig Valley, one of the most fertile and beautiful
farming districts in the county, where he resided till 1870. During the
war he remained on his farm and took.no active part in the struggle,
though he sympathized with the Union side. In 1868 he was elected
the representative from Holt County in the General Assembly and took
his seat in the legislature at an important period in the history of the
state. He served at Jefferson City during the winters of 1868-69 anc*
1869-70, and represented his constituents in a creditable and conscien-
tious manner. In 1870 he gave up farming and removed to Mound
City, where he has since resided. He has had five children, four of
whom are now living : Addison N., Sheherzada Angeline (now
deceased), George P., Nancy J. (wife of William Mackay), and R. C.
Glenn. Whether or not the name of "Whig Valley" offered any
inducements for Mr. Glenn to settle in that locality when he first came
to Holt County, the fact nevertheless remains that in politics he was
originally an old line Whig and an ardent supporter of Whig prin-
ciples and policy as long as the party of Clay and Harrison remained
in existence. He deposited his first vote for president for General Har-
rison, the Whig candidate, in the celebrated " log cabin and hard cider "
campaign of 1840, when the whole country, particularly Ohio, the home
of Harrison, was ablaze with excitement and good humored log
cabin processions and jovial barbecues carried the hero of Tippe-
11
l62 HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
noe into the presidential chair. Mr. Glenn became a Republican on
the formation of that party and has since been one of its supporters,
following the example of most of the old Ohio Whigs in becoming the
bone and sinew of the new Republican party, and has taken an active
interest in political affairs and contributed to the success of that party
in Holt County.
ADDISON N. GLENN,
son of John H. Glenn, was born in Gallia County, Ohio, September 16,
1839, and is the oldest child of his father's family. He resided with his
parents, in different locations, and, in December, 1861, enlisted in Com-
pany H, Twenty-fifth Missouri Infantry, remaining in service till Novem-
ber 18, 1864, having served in the armies of the Tennessee and the Cumber-
land. He participated in a number of important battles, and was mustered
out as First Lieutenant of Company M, First Regiment of Missouri En-
gineering Corps. Mr. Glenn then returned to Holt County, Missouri and
located on a farm, where he resided till the spring of 1866, since which
time he has been engaged in various branches of business in Mound City.
For a period he held the position of postmaster. He was married May 24,
1868, to Miss Arville A. Evans, a daughter of John T. Evans, a native of
Virginia. Her mother's maiden name was Frances C. Higley, a native of
Canada. Mrs. G. was born in Holt County, Missouri, January 22, 1841.
Thev have one child, A. Theresa.
SAMUEL GLICK,
farmer, section 22, was born in Shenandoah County, Virginia, January
2, 1835. His grandfather, John Glick, was a native of Maryland, and
Joseph Glick, his father, was born in Virginia. He was there married to
Miss Susan Wampler, who was a Virginian by birth. They had a family
of nine children, Samuel being the eighth in number. He was reared
in his native county, and was educated in the town of New Market. In
1857, he came to Holt County, Missouri. He has followed farming dur-
ing life, and now has a landed estate of 476 acres. He (Mr. Glick) was
married December 25, 1861, to Miss Martina Pearson. Four children
were the fruit of this union : Achsah S., Anna B., Emma F., and Geo.
W. Mrs. Glick was born in Buchanan County, Missouri, April 20, 1841.
Her father, James Pearson, was a native of Kentucky. Her mother's
maiden name was Achsah Jenkins, a native of Tennessee. Mr. and
Mrs. G. are members of the German Baptist Church.
JACOB GROESBECK
was born in Renssellaer County, New York, November 28, 1821. His
ancesters were of German descent. His father was Herman Groesbeck,
BENTON TOWNSHIP. 163
and his mother's maiden name was Mary Bovee. Young Groesbeck
lived in his native county till 1835, when with his mother he moved to
Chautauqua County of the same State, his father at that time being-
deceased. In the Spring of 1840 he went to Springfield, Illinois, where
he worked about four years, and afterwards moved to Galena, Illinois.
There he began work in the lead mines. Till the year 185 1 he made his
home in Galena and Springfield, and about 185 1 he located permanently
in Peoria County, Illinois, where he engaged in farming. In May, 185 1,
Mr. Groesbeck was married to Mary J., a daughter of Jesse and Lizzie
Darby. The former was a native of Ohio, and died in Atchison County,
Missouri. Mrs. G. was born in Wayne County, Kentucky, December 21,
1834. In the year 1857 he removed from Illinois to Nebraska, and
located near Peru, where he was occupied in farming, owning nearly 500
acres of land. In 1862 he moved to Atchison County, Missouri, and in
1870 came to Holt County, where he has since continued to live. He
now owns a large tract of land adjoining Mound City, it being one of the
oldest farms in that part of the county, having been settled in 1840 or
1841. A postoffice was formerly kept there by Andrew Jackson and
was called Jackson's Point. It was afterwards known as North Point.
Mr. G.'s family consists of: Elizabeth, born March 12, 1857; Jacob A.,
born November 17, 1858; Francis A., born March 29, 1864; Melissa, born
November 8, 1861; Hattie, born August 14, 1866; William A., born
March 31, 1871; Charles H., born October 6, 1873; Luella, born Decem-
ber 2, 1876.
W. M. HAMSHER,
dealer in general merchandise, is the youngest child in a family of
eleven children, whose parents were John and Mary (Wunderlich) Ham-
sher, both natives of Pennsylvania, and of German descent. W. M.
was born in Franklin County, Pennsylvania, December 17, 1849. He
was reared to habits of industry, spending his boyhood days on a farm,
and receiving his education in his native county. When about sixteen
years old, he began clerking in a store in Franklin County, which he con-
tinued till the spring of 1S71, when he located in Monmouth, Illinois.
After five months, he came to Holt County, Missouri, and was engaged
in clerking, at Forest City, till 1874. At that time he came to Mound
City, and embarked in his present business. Mr. Hamsher is a member
of Mound City Lodge, No. 294, A. F. and A. M. He was married Octo-
ber 12, 1875, to Miss Mary Luckhardt, a daughter of George Luckhardt.
Her mother's maiden name was Harriet VanLunen, and they were both
natives of Germany. Mrs. Hamsher was born in Johnstown, Pennsyl-
vania, August 5, 1853. They have one child, Clarence F. Mr. H. is one
of the most energetic men of the city, and thoroughly deserves his
success.
164 HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
MILTON HERRON
is a leading carpenter and contractor of Mound City. His grandfather,
Francis Herron, was married in Ireland to Miss Mary Graham. They
were both natives of that land, and after their marriage they emigrated
to America and located in Pennsylvania, where their son John, (the
father of Milton Herron) was born, in the year 1799. He now resides in
Holt County, Missouri, and draws a pension for having served during the
war of 18 12, for three years and seven months. He was married in
Pennsylvania to Miss Mary Gamble, a native of Pennsylvania. Milton
Herron was born in Fayette County, Pennsylvania, September 15, 1829,
and was the eldest of a family of six children. When he was about four
years old his parents located in Harrison County, Ohio, where he was
reared and educated. His father was a shoemaker by trade, and Milton
was reared to learn that industry. When he attained his eighteenth
year he went to Morgan County, Ohio, where he followed the carpen-
ter's trade till 1865, then going to Pent Water, Oceana County, Mich-
igan. While there he worked at carpentering one year, and from
thence, in 1866, he moved to Mankato, Minnesota. In 1868 he came to
Holt County, Missouri, and until 1870 lived in Oregon, soon after loca-
ting in Mound City. He has principally followed the carpenter trade
since he left Ohio, and for six months during the war he was employed
by the government as a carpenter, being stationed at Johnsonville,
Tennessee. Mr: H. is a member of the I. O. O. F. fraternity. He was
married May 29, 1853, to Miss Sarah Israel, a native of Morgan County,
Ohio. She was born in the year 1833, and died in 1863. They had three
children, there being only one now living, Lomira, who is a teacher in
the Mound City Public Schools. Mr. Herron's second marriage occur-
red January 19, 1864, to Miss Mary E. Tavenner, who was born in Vir-
ginia in 1839. Mr. and Mrs. H. are members of the M. E. Church, and
he has been a liberal contributor to that denomination, having erected
the church of Mound City in 1878, for which he is deserving of much
credit.
WILLIAM T. HIATT,
liveryman and proprietor of the Hiatt House, and is a grandson of
William Hiatt, who was a native of Pennsylvania. He was there mar-
ried, and there he had born a son, Stephen Hiatt, the father of the sub-
ject of this sketch. Stephen emigrated to Ohio and thence to Kentucky,
where he was married, in Brown County, to Miss Lucy Morris, a native
of Kentucky. William T. Hiatt, the fifth in a family of twelve children,
was born in Greenup County, Kentucky, September 8, 1826. The days
of his youth he improved as a farmer boy, in his native county, and in
1841 he went to Indiana. In the following spring Louisa County, Iowa,
BENTON TOWNSHIP. l6$
became his home, where he resided till 1845, when he moved to Des
Moines County, of the same state. In that locality he continued to re-
side till 18s 1, when he settled in Mercer County, Illinois. While in Iowa
he was engaged in the wood business on the Mississippi River, except
during the last four years, which time was spent in farming. While in
Illinois he was in various branches of business, connected with machin-
ery, corn-shelling, etc. In 1866 he emigrated from Mercer County, Illi-
nois, to Holt County, Missouri, and located on a farm, and, in 1873, he
moved to Mound City. Since that time he has been in the livery busi-
ness. Previous to the building of the railroad through Mound City he
ran a transfer to Bigelow. In 1874 he embarked in the hotel business.
Since he came to Mound City he has been a member of the town council
for four years and a member of the school board three years. Mr. Hiatt
was married in Des Moines County, Iowa, March 2, 1847, to Miss Susana
Heaton, a daughter of Alexander Heaton, a native of Kentucky. Her
mother's maiden name was Jemima Shaw, a native of New York. They
now reside near Mound City, Missouri. Mrs. Hiatt is the third of a fam-
ily of thirteen children, and was born in Brown County, Ohio, February
1, 1832. She resided in her native county till eight years of age, when
the family moved to Henderson County, Illinois, and, in the spring of
1844, they moved to Des Moines County, Iowa. They have had twelve
children, six of whom are living, Louisa, Alice J., John W., Wm. S., Mary
E. and James T.
WILLIAM HOBLITZELL
is a member of three of the leading business firms of Mound City, lum-
ber, hardware and dry goods houses. He was born in Richland County,
October 29, 1833. His father, Adrian Hoblitzell, was a native of Mary-
land, and his mother, formerly Elizabeth Dorland, was born in Pennsyl-
vania. In 1842 they moved to Missouri, and located in Platte County.
William was there engaged in farming till 1844, when he came to Holt
County, and shortly afterward he began clerking in a store. He has
since been engaged in mercantile pursuits at different locations. In 1856
he was married to Miss Martha J. Burnett. They have two children,
Nannie and Jennie. Mrs. H. was born near Knoxville, Tennessee, Feb-
ruary 16, 1838. Her father, R. Burnett, was a native of Kentucky, and
her mother, Nancy Burnett, nee Neal, of Tennessee.
M. HOUSTON,
dealer in and repairer of furniture. M. W. Houston, the father of the
subject of this biography, was born in Kentucky and subsequently emi-
grated to Indiana, where he was married to Miss Mary Grayson, a native
of Tennessee. Mortimer Houston was born in Lawrence County,
1 66 HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
Indiana, April 24, 1838. He was reared and educated in his native
county, and when about seventeen years of age he began the trade of
cabinet making. In 1857 the family moved to Iowa and located in Des
Moines, where he completed his trade, which he followed in Des Moines
till the beginning of the war in 1861. For six months during the year
1863 he was sutler in the Twenty-third Iowa regiment, being obliged to
return home on account of sickness. In the spring of 1864 Mr. H. moved
to Missouri, and located in Savannah, Andrew County, where he worked
at his trade till 1865, when he came to Holt County. Here he has since
been engaged in various branches of business, among which are fruit
growing and bee keeping, making a specialty at the present time of
these industries. He has a farm near the city limits. His bees on an
average furnish from three to five thousand pounds of honey per year.
In October 1881 he opened his present store and is deserving of a liberal
patronage from the people of his vicinity. Mr. H. was married January
6, 1862 to Miss Maggie Buzick, who was born in Wapello County, Iowa,
January 22, 1840. She is a daughter of Henry F. Buzick, a native of
Ohio. Her mother's maiden name was Mary Ruckman, a native of
Illinois. The family of Mr. and Mrs. H. consists of nine children, seven
of whom are living, Henry M., Charles I., Irene, Leonard, Carl, Alice and
Clarence. Mr. and Mrs. H. are members of the M. E. Church.
WASH. HUTTON,
farmer and stock dealer, section 28, township 61, range 31, postoffice
Mound City, is a native of Pennsylvania, and was born in Luzerne
County, July 20, 1827. His father, William Hutton, was also a native of
Pennsylvania. His mother's maiden name was Elizabeth Bowman, a
native of Pennsylvania. They had a family of six children, Wash, being
the fifth child. When he was eleven years of age his parents moved to
Lee County, Illinois, where he grew to manhood, and was there educa-
ted. He followed farming in Illinois till the spring of 1 850, when he
went to California and was there engaged in mining till the fall of 1854,'
when he returned to Lee County, Illinois, and in the fall of 1865 he came
to Holt County, Missouri, and located on the farm where he now resides.
His landed estate consists of over 800 acres, most of which is well
improved and well watered. He was married in October, 1855, to Miss
Caroline Morgan. They have had six children, four now living : Adella,
Elizabeth, Minnie F. and Walter L. Mrs. H. was born in Tazewell
County, Illinois, December 10, 1830. Her father, Joshua Morgan, was
born in Kentucky. Her mother's maiden name was Elizabeth Green, a
native of Ohio.
ALBERT H. JAMISON,
attorney and notary public, is a descendant of Ephraim Jamison, who
was born in Virginia, in the year 1790, and came to Missouri in the year
BENTON TOWNSHIP. 167
1801. He was married to Clarissa Hinton, a native of Georgia, who was
born in the year 1794. Her husband died in 1846, since which time she
has resided with her son, Joseph W. Jamison, the father of Albert H.
Jamison, who was a native of Missouri. He now resides in Callaway
County, Missouri, where he was married to Miss Nancy R. Maupin, a
native of Missouri. Her father, George Maupin, was born in Kentucky,
and came to Missouri in the year 1803. There he was married to Nancy
Miller. Albert H. Jamison, whose name heads this sketch, was the sec-
ond child in a family of ten children, five girls and five boys. He was
born in Hickory County, Missouri, October 21, 185 I, and, when ten years
of age, with his parents, he moved to Callaway County, Missouri, where
they resided till March, 1865. They then located in Audrain County,
Missouri, and, eighteen months later, they returned to Callaway County,
Missouri, where his father now resides, his mother being deceased. Al-
bert secured the benefits of the common schools in the different locali-
ties where he resided, and also attended the McGee College, of Macon
County, four months and about fourteen months in the North Missouri
State Normal, at Kirksville. His youth was spent on a farm and, in
1870, he began teaching, in which he was principally engaged till 1877,
when he commenced to study for his present profession. He was grad-
uated, in 1878, from the law department of the State University, of
Brownville, Missouri, and, in July of the same year, he entered upon his
practice, in Brunot, Wayne County, Missouri, where he continued till
October, 1879. Mr. J. then came to Mound City, where he has followed
his profession with a considerable degree of success. He was married
May 12, 1881, to Miss Mollie Renoe, a daughter of Baylis C. Renoe, a
native of Missouri. Her mother's maiden name was Eliza Nevins, a na-
tive of Missouri. Mrs. Jamison was born in Callaway County, Missouri,
November 7, 1855.
MERRILL JASPER,
farmer, section 16, is a son of Merrill Jasper, Esq., and was born in Holt
County, Missouri, October 3, 1845. His father was one of the early set-
tlers in the county, and had a family of six children, the subject of this
sketch being the youngest child. The lather died before the birth of
Merrill. He was reared and educated in Holt County, and in 1867 he went
to Omaha, where he was engaged as a clerk in a store for three years. He
was then employed for three years as wood workman in the car shops
of the Union Pacific Railroad, since which time he has been interested in
farming. Mr. Jasper now has a farm of 1 18 acres, which is well improved.
He was married May 11, 1871, to Miss Kittie Young, who was born in
Barren County, Kentucky, September 23, 1845. They have two chil-
dren, Alice B. and Nellie E.
l68 HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
C. G. JESSE,
of the firm of Hoblitzell, Smith & Jesse, lumber dealers and dealers in
general hardware, stoves and tinware, is the son of James Monroe and
Amanda {nee Tinsley) Jesse, who were both natives of Kentucky. C. G.
Jesse was born in Shelby County, Kentucky, April 20, 1854. He was
reared in his native county, and there received the benefits of a common
school education. When seventeen years of age he became engaged as
clerk in a store, which position he continued to occupy in Kentucky till
1874, whence came to Missouri and accepted a situation in Bigelow,
Holt County. There he remained till 1877 when he came to Mound
City and began dealing in lumber as a member of the firm of Hoblitzell
& Jesse. They did business under that firm name till January 1882,
when Mr. Smith became associated with the company, and at the same
time they embarked in the hardware business, and have been having a
successful trade. Mr. Jesse was married April 1 1, 1877 to Miss Nannie
Hoblitzell, a daughter of Mr. William Hoblitzell. They have had two
children, one of whom is living, Edna M.
HENRY KUNKEL,
(deceased), was born in York County, Pennsylvania, December 11, 181 1.
His father, Henry, was a native of Pennsylvania, and was there married
to Miss Anna Miller, of the same state. The grandfather of the subject
of this sketch was also named Henry, and he was a native of Hesse,
and came to America as a British soldier in the Revolutionary War.
Henry Kunkel, whose name heads this narrative, was a carpenter by
trade, and followed that occupation during life. When about twelve
years of age he immigrated to Richland County, Ohio, where, on the
1st of June, 1835, he was married to Miss Barbara Acton. She was born
in Charles County, Maryland, August 25, 1816. Her paternal ancestors
held the name of Henry Acton for three generations back, and for two
generations were natives of Maryland. The third was of English extrac-
tion. Her mother's maiden name was Mary Padgett, a native of Charles
County, Maryland. Mr. Kunkel and his family lived in Ohio till 1847,
when they came to Missouri and located in Holt County. Here he
resided till the time of his death, which occurred October 4, 1879. They
had a family of ten children, seven of whom are now living : Jacob,
James H., Nancy A., John, Julia A., Mary A. and Darius W. Mr. Kun-
kel was a member of the Evangelical Church. He left a farm of 240
acres, and since his death Mrs. K, with the assistance of James H. and
her youngest son, has carried on the farm. James H. Kunkel was born
in Richland County, Ohio, May 4, 1840. He now has in his possession
a farm of eighty acres. The Mineral Springs were discovered on the
BENTON TOWNSHIP. 1 69
farm of Mr. Henry Kunkel in February, 1872, while he was prospecting
for coal, the analysis being given elsewhere. There has also been
plowed up, on this place, many wonderful articles, supposed to have
been burned in a furnace in ages past.
DR. WILLIAM A. LONG,
farmer, section 29, is the son of David Long, who was a native of Frank-
lin County, Pennsylvania. He was there married to Miss Catharine
Shoemaker, of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, and, at an early day,
emigrated to Ohio. William A. Long, the fourth child in a family of
seven children, was born in Franklin County, Pennsylvania, January 22,
1838. He was there reared and educated and, in the fall of 1861, he en-
listed in Company K, 158th Pennsylvania Infantry, remaining in service
till the spring of 1863. He participated in many important battles. In
the fall of 1864 he began the study of dentistry, which he continued for
two years, and was afterwards engaged in the practice of his profession,
in Franklin and Cumberland Counties, till 1870, when he went to
Kosciusko County, Indiana. There he resumed his practice for eighteen
months, after which he located in Marshall County, Illinois, and, in a
short time, came to Holt County, settling on his present tarm, where he
has since resided. He has also been practicing his profession in connec-
tion with farming. His farm, contains 160 acres, on which is located a
fine residence. He has just completed a fish pond, which covers an acre
of ground, and is surrounded by a row of shade trees, and is well stocked
with Government fish. The doctor is a member of the Masonic frater-
; nity, and also belongs to the I. O. O. F. He was married March 21, 1871,
to Miss Elizabeth Swanger, a native of Franklin County, Pennsylvania.
She died in the year 1874. They had two children, both of whom are
deceased. Dr. Long was again married January 2, 1877, to Mrs. Anna
Griffeth, formerly Miss Anna Meyer, a daughter of Andrew Meyer. She
was born in Holt County, Missouri. They have two children, Thomas
A. and Hadessa.
GEORGE M. McKINNEY
is a prominent blacksmith and wagonmaker in Mound City. His father,.
Mathew McKinney, was born in Pennsylvania and emigrated to Ohio,
where he was married to Miss Louisa Wilson, a native of Maryland.
By this union there were five children born, of which George M. was
the youngest. He was born in Guernsey County, Ohio, August 2, 1839,
and there received the benefits of a common school education. During
the days of his youth he assisted his father, who was by occupation a
blacksmith, at his trade, and later in life he became a thorough master
Df the business, following the same in Ohio till 1862. He then wended
I70 HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
his way to Washington Territory, and in the fall of the same year he
returned as far as Omaha, Nebraska, where he worked at the anvil for
eighteen months. At the end of that time, or in the spring of 1864, he
went to Nebraska City, and there resumed his chosen calling till Jan-
uary, 1865, when he returned to Ohio, and in September, 1866, he again
started for the west. After spending a short time in Illinois and Iowa,
he located at Forest City, Holt County, Missouri, in December of that
year, and in the following spring went to Richville, Missouri, where he
started a shop on his own account. This he continued to carry on till
September, removed it to Nebraska City, Nebraska, and there he
resided till the spring of 1868, when he returned to Holt County, Mis-
souri, carrying on business in Forest City till March, 1875. Mr. McKin-
ney subsequently came to Mound City, and has since been the leading
mechanic in his line in this place, and has met with great success.
During the war, in the year 1861, he served four months in Company H,
Seventeenth Ohio Infantry. Mr. McKinney is a member of the Masonic
fraternity. He was married July 2, 1837, to Mrs. Annie Thomas, a
daughter of John Clark, who was a native of Indiana. Mrs. McKinney
is a native of Indiana, and was born April 16, 1842. They are both
members of the M. E. Church.
A. S. McNULTY,
farmer, section 9, is the son of John McNulty, who was born in Vir-
ginia and who afterwards emigrated to Ohio, where he was married to
Miss Drusilla Tumbelson, a native of Ohio. By this union they had
eleven children. A. S. McNulty was born in Adams County, Ohio, May
8, 1833. He was reared in Ohio, and the year 1865 came to Holt County,
Missouri. In 1864 he enlisted in Company H., Seventy-third Ohio
Infantry, and remained in service till the close of the war. For several
years while in Ohio he was engaged in sawing lumber, and since coming
to Missouri he has followed his present occupation. He now has a farm
of 203 acres. He was married May 8, 1859, to Miss Catharine Watson.
From this union ten children were born, six of whom are living : Ora E.,
Lucy G., Alfred R., Wiley A., James H. and Eddie P. Mrs. McNulty
was born in Adams County, Ohio, February 28, 1834. Her father,
William Watson, was a native of Ohio. Her mother's maiden name was
Mary Glascock, also a native of Ohio.
B. MEEK, M. D.,
the fifth of a family of ten children, five boys and five girls, is a native
of Kentucky and was born in Henry County, April 22, 1826. His father,
John Meek, was a native of South Carolina. His mother's maiden name
was Temperance Lowden, and she was a Kentuckian by birth. The
BENTON TOWNSHIP. \"]\
family came to Missouri in the fall of 185 1, and in the following spring
located in Holt County. Young Meek received his primary education
in his native county and accompanied his parents to Holt County. The
days of his youth were spent on a farm, and in October 1854 he began
the study of medicine, subsequently graduating from the St. Louis Med-
ical College at the winter term of 1856-7. Dr. Meek soon began his
practice in Mound City, and has since been engaged in following his
profession in Holt County except for eighteen months during the war,
when he was in Clay County, Illinois. At the time he came to Mound
City there was but one business house in the town, and he was the first
physician. In 1858 he became interested in the drug business as one
of the firm of Meek & Rigdon, but the latter partner was only associated
with the firm a short time. This was the first drug firm in the place.
Dr. Meek afterwards continued the business till 1863. During the period
from 1869 to 1873 he was a resident of Craig. He is a member of Mound
City Lodge No. 294, A. F. & A. M. He was married April 19, i860 to
Miss Elizabeth A. Sharp, a daughter of William A. Sharp, who was a
native of Kentucky and a pioneer of Holt County. Her mother's
maiden name was Caroline Elliott, of Missouri. Mrs. Meek was born
in Holt County, Missouri, October 23, 1841. Mr. and Mrs. M. have had
four children : John W., born January 30, 1861 and died April 1870;
Gertrude, born January 29, 1864; Leonitas, born October 25, 1869;
•Francis C, born April 27, 1872.
ELI MEEK,
farmer, section 33, the sixth of a family of nine children, is a native of
Kentucky, and was born in Henry County, June 4, 1830. His father was
a native cf South Carolina, and his mother of Kentucky. Eli was edu-
cated in his native county, and has lived in Holt County, Missouri, since
1852, except for two years during the war, when he resided in Pike
County, Missouri. His farm consists of 220 acres, mostly improved, his
house and surroundings presenting an inviting appearance. He is a
member of Mound City Lodge, No. 294, A. F. and A. M. Mr. Meek was
imarried November 21, 1855, to Miss Nancy M. Mackey, who was born
in Pike County, Missouri, April 11, 1836. She was a daughter of Cyrus
Mackey, a native of Missouri. Her mother, formerly Charlotte Janes,
• was born in Tennessee. The family of Mr. and Mrs. Meek consists of
ten children : Martha P., Mary L., John C, James E., Emma D., Clara
B., Eli C, Anna L., William M. and Joseph L.
ANDREW MEYER.
As one of the most extensive agriculturists and land owners of Holt
C ounty, may be mentioned the subject of this sketch. He is a son of
172 HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
V
Andrew and Mary (Adolph) Meyer, and is the second child in a famil)
of nine children. He was born near Mullheim, Baden, April 28, 1821.
In 1834 his parents, with their family, emigrated to America and located
in Wayne County, Ohio. ,In 1843 he came to Missouri and, in May of
the same year, settled in Holt County. The August following he went
across the Missouri River, to the Iowa and Sac Agency, and first fol
lowed farming and was afterward assistant blacksmith. In 1847 he en-
listed in the Oregon Battalion, for service in the Mexican War. Hebe
longed to Col. Powell's regiment, and was sworn in at Leavenworth, July
4, 1847, and shortly afterward set out on an expedition across the plains
to Fort Kearney. The company was called back in the fall of 1848 to be
discharged, the war having closed. During this trip he met with the
noted Brigham Young. In the winter of 1848 Mr. Meyer went to Des
Moines, Iowa, where he bought land and, May 12, 1849, in company with
other parties, he left the Iowa and Sac Agency for California, and was
the first to start overland from Holt County during that season. He
was engaged in digging gold, on the American River, near Sutter's Mill,
now Coloma, till September 15, 1850. Coming back to Holt County he
was married August 20, 185 1, to Miss May Secrest. Later he began
farming, where he now lives, section 21, township 61, range 38, and now
owns 2,358 acres of land. Mrs. Meyer was born in Richland County
Ohio, July 13, 1834. Her father, John Secrest, was a native of Pennsyl-
vania, and came to Holt County in 1849. Her mother, formerly Margaret
Campbell, was also a native of Pennsylvania. They had a family of nine
children, Mrs. M. being the fifth child. Mr. Meyer's family consists 0!
twelve children, Annie E., James H., Maggie M. (who was the wife oi
Chas. Corsaut, but now deceased), Alfred A., Willard P., Armilda C.
George W., Robert S., Emma J., Charles E., Marvin E. and Don C.
HUGH MONTGOMERY,
cashier of the Holt County Bank, of Mound City, is a native of Ireland
and was born in Bangor, County Down, on January 22, 1845. When ter
years of age he came to America with an uncle, his parents having
died previous to this, and resided with this relative at Jackson, Ohio
where he was reared and received the advantages of an education. Ir
July, 1861, he enlisted in Company E, Twenty-seventh Ohio Infantry
and remained in service till September, 1864, having participated ir
many important battles. ' He served for eighteen months in the Provosl
Marshal's Department of Memphis, Tennesse. When mustered out he
returned to Jackson, Ohio, after which he attended Bryant & Strattpn'i
Commercial College, of Cincinnati, graduating from that institution ir
the spring of 1865. Mr. Montgomery was then employed as bookkeepei
in Cincinnati for nearly one year, when he went to Jacksonville, Illi-
BENTON TOWNSHIP. 173
lois, where he was engaged in dealing in fruit trees and shrubbery for a
ew months. Subsequently he accepted a position as bookkeeper in the
7irst National Bank, of Chattanooga, Tennessee, which position he
lilled till 1869, when, on account of failing health, he returned to Ohio.
Hie was interested in the drug business in that state for three years, and
afterwards was appointed auditor on the Chester, Iron Mountain and
.Eastern Railroad, continuing to occupy this position till the failure of
the company in 1873. Mr. M. remained there till 1874, being located in
Chester, and in 1875 he came to Holt County, Missouri, and settled in
Pregon, where he was employed as salesman in a dry goods store for
pne year. He then went to St. Joseph and was engaged in keeping
Dooks till 1880, being for two years in Schuster, Hax & Co.'s Bank. In
February, 1880, he accepted his present situation. Mr. Montgomery is
ji member of the Masonic fraternity. He was married in September,
[869, to Miss Laura Sibley, a daughter of Rev. E. Sibley, who was a
native of New York. Her mother, whose maiden name was Phoebe
Simmons, was a native of Connecticut. Mrs. M. was born in Middle-
port, Ohio. They have two children living : Nellie and Earl S. One is
deceased.
STRAUTHER MOORE,
'deceased) was born in Shenandoah County, Virginia, October 28, 181 1.
He was reared on a farm in his native county and was there educated.
,When about eighteen years of age his parents and their family moved
to Ohio and located in Greene County, where he was married October
10, 1835, to Miss Clara Skeen. They had a family of ten children, five
of whom are living: Amanda, born August 11, 1837; Mark B., born
April 9, 1841 ; Strauther, born December 22, 1843 ; Thomas B., born
September 16, 1854; Camdon J., born July 23, 1856. Mr. Moore 'and his
amily lived in Ohio till 1838, when they moved to Clinton County,
Indiana, and in 1846 came to Missouri, locating in Andrew County. In
.the spring of 1849 they came to Holt County and settled where Mrs.
Moore now lives. Mr. Moore was engaged in farming and dealing in
>tock during life, and at the time of his death had a landed estate of
500 acres. His religious preferences were with the Christian denomina-
tion. He died September 31, 1874. Mrs. Moore was born in Mason
,-ounty, Virginia, February 23, 18 14. Her father, Reuben Skeen, was a
lative of Shenandoah County, Virginia, as was also her mother, formerly
Dhcebe Moore. Mrs. Moore accompanied her parents on their move
0 Greene County, Ohio, when she was about fifteen years of age.
\mong the children of the Moore family, who are now deceased, two
[rew up and were married. The oldest daughter, Mary Moore, was
>orn July 19, 1834, and was married February 8, 1855, to George Kelley,
vho was born in Pike County, Missouri, December 21, 1826. He died
1/4 HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
December 24, 1864, and Mrs. Kelley died February 9. 1866. They left
a family of four children, three of whom are now living: O. M., born
February 16, 1856; Strauther S., born June 21, 1858, and died in 1865 ;
Emma A., born May 29, 1861 ; Ann N., born December 28, 1864. These
were reared by their grandmother, Mrs. Moore. Caroline Moore, now
deceased, was born June 11, 1849, and was married to Stephen Jones.
She had one child, which still survives.
JACOB MOSER, .
(deceased), was born in Pendleton County, West Virginia, November
16, 1789. His grandparents were natives of Germany, and his father,
Adam Moser, was a native of Virginia. He was married to Miss
Susan Harpool, by which marriage there were born fourteen children,
Jacob being the sixth child in number. He was reared in his native
county, and received but a limited education. About the year 1818, he
went to Ohio and located in Greene County, and was there married,
August 18, 1830, to Mrs. Indiana Tatnan, by whom he had one child,
George H., born June 1 1, 1831, and now a merchant in Toolsboro, Louisa
County, Iowa. Mrs. Moser died in April, 1834. Mr. M. was again mar-
ried, November 24, 1836, to Miss Mary Cook, by whom he had seven
children : Indiana L., born September 11, 1837 ; Harriet A., born April
I3- 1839 J Mary S., born October 6, 1842 ; Jacob A., born April 27, 1844;
Rebecca C, born October 5, 1846 ; Charles A., born March 8, 1848, and
Stephen F., born February 15, 1850, and died October 16, 1853. Mr.
Moser lived in Ohio till the spring of 1837, when he moved to Pike
County, Illinois, and in May, 1841, he came to Holt County, Missouri,
locating in section 20, township 61, range 38, where Mrs. M. now lives.
He followed farming as an occupation, and at the time of death, May 8,
1872, he owned a farm of 500 acres,' which has since been occupied by
the widow. Mr. M. was an active member of the Masonic fraternity,
and belonged to Mound City Lodge, No. 294. Mrs. Moser was born in
Morris County, New Jersey, April 29, 1807. Her father, Abraham
Cook, was a native of the same State, though his ancestors came of Eng-
lish origin. He learned the trade of shoemaking, in Elizabethtown, New
Jersey, and when twenty-one years old married Miss Mary Lyon, a
native of New Jersey. He then went to the island of St. Domingo, one
of the West Indies, where he lived a short time, and then returned to
New Jersey and embarked in the mercantile business in Morris County.
In 1818 he emigrated to Ohio and located in Greene County, where he
was engaged in farming till the time of his death, except during the last
year of his life, when he lived in New Carlisle. He had a family of six
children, Mrs. M. being the third child. She was educated in New
Jersey and received an excellent education, becoming ably proficient to
BENTON TOWNSHIP. 175
teach school, but having no such desire turned a deaf ear to all entreaties.
Her life has been a happy one. and she is now in active health, is endowed
with a great amount of judgment, and is respected by all.
JACOB MUMM,
of the firm of Mumm, Moss & Co., dealers in lumber, lath, sash, blinds,
doors, lime, hair, cement, paint and barb wire, is one of Mound City's
most prominent and energetic business men. He is a native of Germany
and was born in Schelwig, November 8, 1834. He was educated in his
native country, and was reared to habits of industry, being engaged in
farming till 1857 when he emigrated to America, landing at New York
City, November 16, of the same year. He soon located in Porter County,
Indiana, and in tne fall of 1859 he came to Missouri and settled in St.
Joseph, where he was there occupied in various works till 1868. Mr. M.
next embarked in the lumber business as one of the firm of Pinger,
Mumm & Co., which he continued till 1871, and from this time on he was
employed as foreman of different lumber companies till the spring of
1880 when he came to Mound City and opened up his present house.
He has since been doing a successful business. During the late war he
served as a soldier for two years, acting as second sergeant. He was
married August 6, 1863 to Miss Elizabeth M. Jessen, a native of the same
country as himself, born December 14, 1843. She was also reared in her
native home. They have had eight children, six of whom are living :
Anna M., Littie M., Amanda, Theodore W., Emma O. and Benjamin F.
ALFRED MURRY,
farmer, section 34, the fourth in a family of seven children, was born in
Campbell County, East Tennessee, November 22," 1812. His father,
James Murry, was a native of Alabama, and his mother, Barbara Sharp,
of North Carolina. He was reared on Clinch River, within nine miles
of Jacksboro, and received his education in the old fashioned schools.
In the fall of 1841, he removed from Tennessee to Missouri, and located
near old Jimtown, Andrew County, and, in March, 185 1, he came to Holt
County. In 1853, he located on the farm where he now resides, and
which contains 160 acres. This he has improved, and now has the first
brick house built in Benton Township, outside of Mound City. Mr. M.
has been twice married : First, in February, 1840, to Miss Mary Sharp,
who was born in Campbell County, East Tennessee, February 8, 18 15.
She died August 27, 1846. They had four children, of whom only one is
living, Sterling H., born December 4, 1840. The three deceased are
Louisa J., born December 9,-1842, died in August, 1852 ; Elizabeth F.,
born in January, 1846, died the following spring, and one other died
176 HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
while young. He was again married, February 27, 1847, to Miss Nancy
Young, by whom he has had nine children, three now living : Gilbert T.,
born November 17, 1850; Perry D., born May 23, 1853 ; Andrew F., born
November 28, 1863. Those deceased were Lucinda J., born April 28,
1849, died in August, 1852 ; Amanda M., born July, 1855, died in 1858;
Howard E., born September 27, 1859, died September 15, 1881, and three
infants. Mrs. M. was born in Floyd County, Kentucky, January
10, 1819. His parents, Charles Young and Margaret {nee McBroon)
Murry, were natives of Kentucky. Mrs. M., the fourth child in a fam-
ily of fourteen children, came with her parents, to Missouri, in 1841.
The family of her father all lived to be grown, except one, who died in
her twelfth year.
EDWARD MUXLOW,
proprietor of the English Kitchen and Bakery, Mound City, Missouri, is
a native of England, and was born in the town of Dembleby, Lincoln-
shire, on July 20, 1829. He was educated in the town of Grantham,
England, and was reared on a farm, being engaged in agricultural pur-
suits in England till May, 1854, when he came to America. On his
arrival in this country he landed at New York, but soon located in Cleve-
land, Ohio, wherehe remained till July, 1855, next settling on a farm near
Champaign, Illinois. He was for three years engaged in farming in that
vicinity, and then moved into the town of Champaign, where he was
occupied in buying grain till the fall of 1865, at which date he moved to
St. Joseph, Missouri. Mr. Muxlow resided there till the spring of 1869,
and then returned to Illinois and lived in Tuscola till June, 1873, when
he again came to St. Joseph. Since that time he has been engaged in
the hotel business. He came to Mound City in February, 1875, and, in
his present business, he has succeeded in giving general satisfaction to
the traveling public, and is well known by the commercial men in this
section of the country as one of the most enterprising of hotel men, and
as one knowing the wants of the weary tourists. While in Cleveland,
Ohio, he was married (November 30, 1854,) to Miss Elizabeth Goodfel-
low, who was born in Manchester, England, March 22, 1835. She died
in Champaign, Illinois, November, 1872. She came to America when
about fifteen years of age. They had one child, who is now deceased.
Mr. Muxlow was again married in November, 1877, to Mrs. Margaret A.
Owens. Her maiden name was Cornell, and she was born in Hampshire
County, Virginia, August 22, 1830. When she was seven years of age
her parents moved to Ohio and located in Highland County, where they
lived till 1854, next moving to McLean County, Illinois. There she was
married, October 28, 1856, to Joseph C. Owens, who was born in Hoy,
Herefordshire, England, in February, 1829. He came to America when
about fifteen years of age, and afterwards made a trip to his native home.
BENTON TOWNSHIP. 177
His occupation during life was that of a baker. He moved from Cham-
paign County, Illinois, to St. Joseph, Missouri, where he died, March 28,
1872. Mr. Muxlow has by his former marriage four children, now living,
William C, Laura V., Ellen M. and Jeneva.
CHRISTIAN NIEDERHOUSER,
farmer, section 23, is a native of Switzerland, and was born April I,
1832. He was reared and educated in his native country, and, while
there, was engaged in farming, and also was interested in the dairy
business. In 185 1 he came to America and located in Wooster, Ohio,
remaining in different parts of that state over two years, when he went
to Indiana. There he was occupied in driving a stage from Rochester
to Logansport till the fall of 1855, when he went to Iowa and resumed
stage driving on the line from Iowa City to DesMoines and Council
Bluffs till the summer of 1858. Mr. N. then came to Missouri and
drove stage in the northwestern part of the state from St. Joseph till
i860, when he moved to Denver and was there engaged in the same
business till 1861. At that time he returned to Mound City, where he
was driving stage to Rock Port and other points till 1864, when he went
with a train from Atchison, Kansas, to Utah Territory. He remained
in that country till the fall of 1866, and, while there, was interested in
the mercantile trade and running ferry-boat at different points on the
Bear River. In the fall of 1866 he returned to Mound City, and on
March 14, 1867, Mr. Niederhouser was married to Miss Margaret L. Mann.
She was born in Highland County, Ohio, March 26, 1832, and when
about thirteen years of age her parents moved to Knox County, Illi-
nois, and four years later to Fremont County, Iowa. In 1864 she came
to Holt County, Missouri. They have no children of their own, but
have an adopted child, Louis C. Dappin. He was born June 15, 1867, in
Atchison County, Missouri. Mr. N., after being married, located on
his farm, where he now owns 146 acres, all of which is the savings of
his own labor.
HENRY C. PEPPER
is one of the leading attorneys of Mound City, and is deserving of more
than a passing notice. His grand parents on his father's side were
natives of Virginia, where Joseph Pepper, the father of the subject of this
biography was born. Joseph Pepper emigrated to Kentucky when quite
young, and in that State he was married to Miss Matilda Peace, a native
of Kentucky. Henry C. Pepper was born in Hart County, Kentucky,
August 13, 185 1. He was reared to habits of industry in his native
county, and there received the advantages of the common schools, after
which, in 1874, he graduated from the literary department of the classical
12
178 HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
military institute of Danville, Kentucky. His time for six years there-
after was principally spent in teaching, he being' employed in some very
prominent institutions, among which was the high school of Gallatin,
Tennessee. As an educator he was more than ordinarily successful.
Mr. Pepper chose the profession of law as his occupation during life, and
after a usual course of preparatory study he graduated from the law
department of the Cumberland University of Lebanon, Tennessee, in
June, 1879. In September of the same year he began the practice of law
in Frankfort, Kansas, where he continued seven months, and after spend-
ing six weeks in Texas he located in Mound City, Missouri. He is here
held in high esteem by the citizens of the place, consequently is meeting
with much success in his legal business. He is a member of the Masonic
fraternity.
DR. HANNIBAL POOL,
Magnetic Healer, is also manager of the Invalids' Hotel, or Infirmary of
the Pool of Siloam of Mound City, an institution which is becoming as
noted in Northwest Missouri as are places of like kind in other states.
Dr. Pool principally conceived the idea of his system of healing from the
hotel and infirmary, or Custer House, of Ottumwa, Iowa, and has, for
something over two years, been practicing the work. His success since
locating in Mound City, September 26, 1881, has been far beyond his
expectations, and also that of his friends. He is a native of Cornwall,
Crownshire, England, and was born September 23, 1837. In the year
1842 he came with his parents, Francis and Elizabeth (Baston) Poo', to
America, and located in Jo Daviess County, Illinois. His father was
there interested in the lead mines for ten years, after which they moved
to Lafayette County, Wisconsin, where he resided on a farm till the
spring of i860. Returning to Jo Daviess County, Illinois, on May 24, of
the same year, he was married to Miss Sophia Adams, a native of Ire-
land and of English ancestry. She was born in June, 1844, and died
March 28, 1880. By this union they had nine children, Henry F.,Vilena,
Emma (deceased), Robert W., Albert S., Etta, Charles L., Anna M. and
Jesse M. After being married Dr. Pool crossed the plains to Colorado
and was engaged in mining at Central City, of the Gregory District, till
August, 1863, when he returned to Lafayette County, Wisconsin, where
his family was at that time living. He remained there till the spring of
1865, when he returned to Jo Daviess County, Illinois, and was there
made foreman of the New York & Galena Lead Mining Company.which
calling he pursued for two years. After a few moves he located in Lafay-
ette County, Wisconsin, but finally moved back to Jo Daviess County,
Illinois, and was engaged in farming and mining. In March, 1878, he
went to Wyoming where, for a period of time, he was superintendent in
the mining department of a mine. After a serious illness he visited the
BENTON TOWNSHIP. 1 79
Hot Springs for three months, and, in March, 1879, he returned to Jo
Daviess County, Illinois, after which time he was treated at the Custer
House, of Ottumwa. His brother being Sheriff of Jo Daviess County,
Illinois, he acted as deputy for some time, after his return from Wyo-
ming. Having the power of a magnetic healer and becoming convinced
of its virtue, he began the practice as a profession, and, September 26,
188 1 , came to Mound City, where he has permanently located and is
gaining the confidence of the people in that vicinity. Those acquainted
with him know him to be a man of strong principles and of high moral
standing.
' DeVVITT CLINTON PORTER,
farmer, section 25, is a son of Cummings Porter, who was born in Wash-
ington County, Ohio, where he was married to Miss Frances S. Keene, a
native of Virginia. In 1850 they emigrated to Missouri and located in
Holt County, where DeWitt was born, January 24, 1852, he being the
second child in the family, which consisted of three boys and one girl.
Of these two boys and the girl are now living. During life the subject
of this sketch has resided in Holt County, and now has a farm of 440
acres. D. W. Porter, his only brother, was born in Holt County, Mis-
souri, January 28, 1854, and is now attending school at Columbia, Mis-
souri.
EDWARD RICHARDS,
is an enterprising farmer on section 24. His grandparents, originally
from Scotland, emigrated to America and located in Pennsylvania,
where Godfrey Richards, the father of Edward, was born. He was
married in that state to Miss Bethsheba Adams. Edward Richards, the
subject of this sketch, was born in Fayette County, Pennsylvania, Sep-
tember 8, 1832, and is the fourth child in a family of ten children.
When he was two years of age his parents moved to Wayne County,
Ohio, where he grew to manhood. In 1850 he went to Williams County,
Ohio, and there he made his home for some time, but for five years he
was principally in DeKalb County, Indiana, where he was married,
November 23, 1855, to Miss Martha Smith, a daughter of Isaac B. Smith,
of New York. She was born in DeKalb County, Indiana, November 12,
1837. They have had seven children, five of whom are now living :
William H., Mary E., Jonas, Hugh and Eva. Mr. Richards farmed in
DeKalb County till 1865, when he came to Missouri and located in
Andrew County. After living there two years he settled in Holt
County, where he now has a farm of 220 acres, all of which is well
improved. In 1881 he erected a fine residence which presents an
attractive appearance, affording a view of Mound City, two miles dis-
tant. In September, 1861, he enlisted in Company M, Second Indiana
l8o HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
avalry, and remained in service for three years and eleven days. He
was mustered out as corporal, having participated in all the battles in
which his company was engaged.
JOHN SCHRAUTZ,
farmer, section 26, was once the representative of Holt County, Missouri,
in the twenty-eighth general assembly. He is a native of Pennsylvania,
and was born in Lancaster County, July 12, 1829. John Schrautz, his
grandfather, and for whom he was named, was a native of Lancaster
County, Pennsylvania, his parents having emigrated from Germany and
located in that county in the year 1735. John Schrautz, Sr., was married
in his native county to a Miss Garber, by which union Samuel Schrautz,
the father of the subject of this sketch was born. He was married to
Miss Catharine Hull, and in the year 1835 with his family he immigrated
from Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, to Ohio and located in Stark
County, where he was numbered among the most prominent citizens in
that locality, being for several years judge of the common pleas court.
John Schrautz, whose name heads this biography, was reared to man-
hood in Stark County, Ohio, and there received the advantages of the
common schools which were much inferior to those of the present day;
his time was also mostly employed on a farm, and he had but limited
opportunities for procuring a desired education. He was married in
Stark County, Ohio, in 1850 to Miss Mary E. Scheets, after which he
began farming in the same county on his own account. In the spring of
he i854moved to DeKalb County, Indiana. In the fall of 1855 a universal
sickness swept over that part of the State, which proved unusually fatal
and malignant in its character, and inside of eleven days he lost his wife
and two children, all the members, beside himself, of the family. In
September 1857 he was married to his present wife, at that time Miss
Susan Duck. She was born in Stark County, Ohio, January 16, 1836.
Her parents were natives of Pennsylvania, her mother's maiden name
being Abigal Spangler. Mr. Schrautz has by his last marriage two
children, Mary, wife of E. A. Welty, of Mound City, born in DeKalb
County, Indiana, June 30, 1858, and A. B. Schrautz, now attending school
at Raleigh. He was born in DeKalb County, Indiana, September 16,
i860. In 1865 Mr. S. moved to Missouri and located in Holt County,
on the place where he now resides, his farm containing 290 acres. In
1876 he erected his present residence which denotes comfort and pros-
perity and which is located at the foot of the bluffs within two miles of
Mound City, his house forming a conspicuous object of attraction in view
of a line of bluffs above the city. In politics Mr. S.'s sentiments have
been with the Republican party, whose principles appealed to his sup-
port when the Republican party was first organized, more than a score
BENTON TOWNSHIP. l8l
of years ago. He cast his first vote for President for Franklin Pierce, in
1852, before the Republicans were numerous enough to form a national
organization, and since that time has invariably cast his suffrage for the
Republican nominees'. In 1874 the Republicans of Holt County made
him their candidate for representative. He was elected and filled that
position to the satisfaction of his people and with great credit to himself.
THOMAS SECREST,
farmer, section 22, is a grandson of Thomas Secrest, who was a native of
Germany, and immigrated to America and located in North Carolina,
where Jacob Secrest, his son, was born. The latter was married to Miss
Rachael Morquette, a native of North Carolina, her father being a native
of Germany. Thomas, a son of Jacob Secrest, was the seventh child in
the family of ten children, and was born in Morgan County, Indiana,
September 18, 1830. He was reared on a farm in his native county, and
there received a fair education in the " schoolhouses built on the woods-
man plan." While in Morgan County, Indiana, he was married, July
10, 185 1, to Miss Mary A. Shults, a daughter of George Shults, who was
a native of North Carolina, and of German descent. Her mother's
maiden name was Elmira Bean, also of North Carolina. Mrs. Secrest
was born in Morgan County, Indiana, May 11, 1833, and was the oldest
child in the family of six children. The family of Mr. and Mrs. Secrest
consists of twelve children, ten of whom are now living: William P.,
Delphia J., George O., Winfield S., Mary A., Thomas S., Van King, Ella,
Effie and Dudley W. In 1852 Mr. Secrest and his family moved to Holt
County, Missouri, and located on the farm where he now resides. He
has made farming his occupation during life, and by his own labor and
judicious management became the possessor of a landed estate amount-
ing to 940 acres, all of which is improved. The only office he has ever
held was that of justice of the peace, which he filled very acceptably for
eight years. March 20, 1862, he enlisted in Company B, Fourth Regi-
ment, M. S. M., and remained in service till in May of the same year,
when he was discharged on account of disability. He has always voted
the Republican ticket, and is a staunch supporter of the principles of the
party. He is a member of Mound City Lodge, No. 294, A. F. and A. M.
JACOB SILVUSE,
farmer, section 21, was born in Shenandoah County, Virginia, March 27,
1827. His grandparents were natives of Pennsylvania, and his father,
Jacob Silvuse, was born in Virginia. He was there married to Miss
Susan Gorber, a native of Virginia. Jacob was reared in Rockingham
County, Virginia, on a farm, but part of the time worked at the wagon-
182 HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
makers trade. In 1872 he came to Holt County, Missouri. His farm
now consists of 214 acres, and is well improved. He was married to his
present wife, formerly Miss Susan Miller, January 21, 1865. They have
one child, Susan C. Mrs. S. was born in Rockingham County, Virginia.
Her father, Daniel Miller, and her mother, whose maiden name was Bar-
bara Glick, were natives of Virginia. Mr. and Mrs. S. are members of
the German Baptist Church.
THOMAS SMITH,
section 29, is one of the industrious farmers of this township. His grand-
father, Smith, a native of Kentucky, was married to Mary Ellis. William
Smith, the father of Thomas, was born in Bourbon County, Kentucky,
and emigrated to Martin County, Indiana, where he married Miss Ber-
thenia Cannon, of Georgia. They had a family of eight children. Thomas,
the sixth child, was born in Miami County, Indiana, February 21, 1833.
He was reared to manhood at his birthplace, spending his boyhood days
on the farm and receiving the benefits of a common school education.
In 1854 he moved to Harrison County, Missouri, where he resided till
the fall of 1880, then coming to Holt County, where he purchased a farm.
He owns 100 acres of improved land, and has a handsome residence upon
his place. During the war he was a member of the Missouri State mili-
tia a short time. While in Harrison County he served for two terms as
township collector. Mr. Smith was married, December 24, 1856, to Miss
Mary T. Shackelford, a daughter of Clayton and Jane Shackelford,
natives of Tennessee. She is the third child in a family of seven children,
and was born in Piqua County, Ohio, October 28, 1834. When she was
about eight years of age her parents moved to Wabash County, and thence
to Miami County, of the same state, in the fall of 1854. Mr. and Mrs. S.
have had two children, one of whom, James M., is now living.
PERRY J. SPENCER,
the subject of this sketch, was born in Morrow County, Ohio,
December, 22, 1857. His parents, William and Lydia Spencer, were
both natives of the same state. William Spencer was born September
17, 1836, and Lydia Spencer, nee Miller, was born on the 9th of January,
1838. They were married in April, 1856, and then settled in Johnsville,
Ohio, removing to Noble County, Indiana, in 1862. They again located
on a farm, coming thence in 1868 to Missouri and settling in Nodaway
County, on a farm adjoining Graham, where Perry was inured to the life
of a farmer boy. He followed the plow in summer and attended the
district school during the winter months, and at the age of eighteen
years he began teaching school and continued the profession for five
years. On August 23, 1880, he was married to Miss Emma L. Turnure,
KENTON TOWNSHIP. 183
whose parents, E. W. and Emily L. Turnure (jteeCompton), were natives
of New York. They were married in 1853, and afterwards settled in
Boone County, Illinois, remaining there till 1863, when they moved to
Mitchell County, Iowa, thence to Nodaway County in 1865, locating on
Long Branch, east of Bridgewater, and in 1871 Maryville became their
home. There E. W. Turnurewas engaged in the hotel and mercantile
bussiness for some time. He removed to Graham in 1877, and departed
this life on the 12th of July, 1880. His wife, Emily L. Turnure, was a
member of the Baptist Church. Mrs. Perry Spencer was born on the
18th of April, 1859. She died December 5, 1880. She was a member
of the Presbyterian Church. In the spring of 1881, Mr. Spencer bought
a half interest in the Mound City News, a weekly newspaper published
in Mound City, and which has under the present able management become
a journal recognized as one of the leading papers of the county.
JOHN M. TRACY,
one of the leading physicians of Holt County, has been engaged in
practicing medicine at Mound City since June 1866. He was born
in Marion County, Indiana, December 6, 1837. His grandfather was
from the State of Virginia, and moved at an early period to Kentucky,
where James Tracy, his son, was born. He removed from Kentucky to
Indiana, and, in the latter state, he married Miss Mary Custer, who was
born in the same part of Kentucky as her husband. The second, in a
family of five children, by this marriage, was John M. Tracy, the sub-
ject of this sketch. He resided in Marion County, Indiana, till seven-
teen years of age, and there received his primary education. In 1854,
he moved to Illinois, and after that date he was a student at the Hed-
ding Seminary, at Abingdon, and in that institution had excellent facili-
ties for becoming thoroughly acquainted with the necessary branches of
a substantial English education. He came to Missouri in the year 1858,
locating in. Bates County, and, for a while, taught school, and at the
same time prosecuted the study of medicine, a profession which he had
early resolved to adopt, his instructor being Dr. Rockwell, of West
Point, Bates County. After residing there about three years, that part
of Missouri becoming depopulated and unsafe for residence, by reason
of the progress of the war, Mr. T. went to Colorado, and was there engaged
in several speculative enterprises. In 1864, he located in Brownville,
Nebraska, and was there occupied in the practice of his profession till
June 1, 1866, when he became a citizen of Mound City, Holt County.
He has been very successful in his chosen calling, and is known as an
able physician. He is closely devoted to his professional practice, and
has been active in the pursuit of the study of medicicin^ even after
having thoroughly established himself in practice, believing, as he does,
1 84 HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
that constant study is necessary to the attainment of the highest suc-
cess. His medical education he obtained at the Eclectic Medical Col-
lege of Cincinnati, Ohio, from which he graduated in the spring of 1873. He
also graduated in the College of Physicians and Surgeons, in St. Joseph,
Missouri, in 1881, and at present is a member of the Northwestern Medical
Society of Missouri. His wife was formerly Miss Mary J. Collins, daugh-
ter of John Collins, who settled at Oregon, Holt County, Missouri, and
who was one of the early residents of the county. Their marriage occur-
red October 5, 1875. They have had two children, one of whom is now
living, Blanche E. By a former marriage the doctor had five children,
three of whom are now living : Emma, Annie and James M. His atten-
tion and time has been devoted to his profession, to the exclusion of
active participation in the field of politics, and in his political senti-
ments he has been rather conservative and independent. He has acted,
however, with the Democratic party, and is a believer in the cardinal
principles of democracy. Dr. Tracy is one of the leading Masons about
Mound City, and is a member of Mound City Lodge No. 294, A. F. and
A. M. with which he has been connected since 1871. He is also a mem-
ber of Keystone Chapter, now of Mound City, but formerly of Oregon.
E. A. AND P. P. WELTY,
are of the firm of Welty Bros. & Co., dealers in general merchandise.
This is one of the leading firms of Mound City, who, by their liberal
course of dealing and wide-awake business habits, are doing much
toward giving the town a reputation as a business point. They are
natives of Andrew County, Missouri. E. A. Welty was born September
13, 1852, and P. P. Welty on April 14, 1854. Their grandfather early
emigrated from Switzerland to America and located in Ohio, where
John P. Welty, the father of E. A. and P. P., was born. In 1849 he
emigrated to Missouri and was married in Buchanan County to Miss
Amanda Richardson, a native of Indiana. When E. A. was about
three years of age the family moved to Arago, Richardson County,
Nebraska, having previously located in St. Joseph, where he carried on a
trading post for a period of time ; also acted as postmaster. They
resided in Richardson County till 1866, when they moved to Nemaha
County, of the same state. John P. was sheriffin that county till 1874,
when they moved to Mound City, Missouri, where E. A. and P. P. have
since lived. The days of their youth were improved on a farm and
behind the counter. They were educated in the different localities where
they resided, and in the State Normal School of Nebraska, located at
Peru. E. A. was for three years engaged in teaching while in Nebraska,
and taught the public school of Mound City one term, since which time
he has been selling goods. P. P. Welty was also engaged in teaching
BENTON TOWNSHIP 1 85
in Nebraska for two years, but since coming to Mound City he has been
in his present business. They both began in their present business in
March, 1879, William Hoblitzell being the company of the firm. They
are both members of Mound City Lodge, No. 294, A. F. and A. M, and
Mound City Lodge, No. 341, I. O. O. F. E. A. Welty was married
October 15, 1879, to Miss Mary Schrautz, a daughter of John and Susan
Schrautz. She is a native of Indiana, and was born June 30, 1859. They
have one child, Helen. P. P. Welty was married March 20, 1878, to Miss
Roberta Robertson, a daughter of John H. Robertson. Her mother's
maiden name was Elizabeth Durrett. Mrs. Roberta Welty is a native
of Missouri, and was born March 27, i860. They have one child,
Perry A.
COL. WILLIAM WILKINSON
is a native of Bradford, Yorkshire, England, and was born August 18,
1819. His father was a land steward and proprietor of a large woolen
factory, in which were employed nine hundred hands, and often more.
During his younger days he assisted his father in his work. He received
a primary education in England, and, in the year 1837, he went to the
province of Rhode Island, with the intention of attending school. He
was there at the time of the rebellion and his sympathies being with
Dore, on this account he left the province and located at Niagara Falls,
where, for a number of years, he was publishing a paper, called the
Evangelical Pioneer. He then located in Canada, where he was most of
the time in public office. In 1858 he was a candidate for a position in
Parliament, against the celebrated McDonall, in which he was defeated
by a small majority. He was a resident of Canada for fourteen years.
In the year of 1849, he had conferred upon him the degree as
Master of Arts from the Madison University, of Hamilton, New
York. After leaving Canada Mr. W. moved to Romeo, McComb
County, Michigan, and, during 1859 and i860, he was engaged in the
practice of law. At the time Fort Sumpter was fired upon there was a
meeting held and the colonel was called upon to address the audience,
in which he said he would not say go, but he would say come. From
that the chairman called all to come round the liberty pole. The next
day they were called in, and, by a ballot vote of the company, Mr. W.
iwas elected Captain of Company A, Ninth Michigan Infantry. In about
four days thereafter he was appointed by the Governor as a field officer,
his muster in as major being August 6, 1861. They were the first regi-
ment to go southwest, then went to Bowling Green, and were then in
Nelson's expedition, and participated in the battle of Fort Donelson.
Their next important battle was Pittsburg Landing, after which he was
captured, and, with Generals Prentice and Crittendon, he was confined
1 various prisons, being with them put on exhibition at many public
1 86 HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
places, fair grounds, etc. He left Libby Prison, October 12, 1862, and
again joined the army, and was attached to General Thomas's head-
quarters, and commanded the regiment through the battle of Stone
River. Immediately after he was given the commission of Lieutenant-
Colonel of the Ninth Regiment of Michigan, which dates February 6,
1863. He remained attached to General Thomas's staff till the close of
the war, having the command of the Reserve Brigade of the Army of the
Cumberland. He commanded in the advance at the battle of Chicka-
maugua, with General Thomas, and commanded at many other important
battles, among which was Lookout Mountain. He was in the Atlanta
campaign, at the battle of Chickasaw Mountain, in all the siege of Atlanta,
battle of Jonesboro', and, instead of going to the sea with Sherman, he
returned with Thomas to Nashville. On the return he was in the battle
of Frankfort, and was also in command, at the battle of Nashville. Col
Wilkinson then remained at Nashville, his muster out dating September
15, 1865, but he was not released till the latter part of November. March
13, 1865, upon him was conferred the rank of Colonel in the United
States Army, by the advice and consent ot the Senate, for gallant and
meritorious services during the war, his commission being signed by
Andrew Johnson. When he was made colonel he was placed in the reg-
ular army and holds that rank at the present day, he not having been
released. In 1866 he received an appointment in the United States mai
department, and was renewed by Grant in 1868, and retained the appoint
rnent till 1871. In December, 1872, he left Romeo, Michigan, and came
to Missouri. While in Romeo he was mayor of the city for three years
Upon coming to Missouri he located in Savannah, Andrew County, wher
he was admitted to the Andrew County bar, and began the practice o
law, in partnership with his son, John M. Wilkinson. In 1872, while or
a railroad surveying expedition, the latter was fatally shot, supposed tc
be accidentally. In 1873 the colonel came to Holt County, and locatec
at Oregon, and in a short time came to Mound City. Since then he ha;
been mayor of the town four terms, and has been justice since June, 1877
He has also paid some attention to the practice of law, but to no grea1
extent. Since the war he has taken an active part in the success of tlu
Republican party, and has done grand work for the cause, having can
vassed Atchison County twice since he came to Mound City. He was;
member of the Republican Committee of the Ninth Congressional Dis
trict, and belongs to the Grand Army of the Republic. He has a son ii
Grand Rapids, Michigan, engaged in the practice of medicine, and wh(
is one of the most able and prominent surgeons of the state. His son
who was killed in Texas, was also in the army and was mustered out a
a lieutenant.
BENTON TOWNSHIP. 1 87
JOSEPH WILSON,
is a son of Charles Wilson, a native of New Jersey, and is of English
ancestry. His mother's name was Easter Davis. Joseph, the youngest
child in a family of nine children, was born in Hardy County, Virginia,
June 4, 1800. He was educated in the old-fashioned log cabins, slab
benches, greased paper for lights, etc., and on October 19, 1826, he was
married to Miss Elizabeth A. Morrow. He was reared a farmer's boy
and was engaged in farming in the valleys of Virginia till 185 1, when
he emigrated to Miama County, Indiana, living there till 1854. Mr. W.
then came to Missouri, locating in Jackson County, and in the spring of
1857, he came to Holt County, where he has since resided and has lived
1 in the same house. The county at that time was thinly settled, and
Mrs VV. says she thought it was the " last place in the world." Wolves
were numerous then, and many stories might be related of those pioneer
days. With the exception of the last twelve years, Mr. Wilson has
been engaged in farming, and now has a landed estate of 200 acres.
He has never held an office and never belonged to any society. They
have had a family of twelve children, eight sons and four daughters,
seven of whom are now living : James E., David M., Joseph G., Adam
C, Sarah J., Margaret R. and Virginia. Mrs. Wilson is a daughter of
James Morrow, a native of Hardy County, Virginia. Her mother's
maiden name was Elizabeth Spohr, also of Hardy County, Virginia.
JOSEPH G. WILSON,
farmer, section 23, is a son of Joseph Wilson, and was born in Hardy
: County, Virginia, May 4, 1845. He accompanied his parents on their
various moves before coming to Missouri, always staying with them, and
since the spring of 1856 he has resided in Holt County. He has made
farming his occupation during life. In October, 1863, he enlisted in
Company D, Twelfth Missouri cavalry and remained in service till the
close of the war, when he was mustered out as chief bugler. He had
been in a number of important battles, among which were Florence,
Franklin and Nashville, also numerous engagements on the plains during
the Indian troubles. Mr. Wilson was married August 11, 1867 to Miss
Bettie Meek, daughter of B. Meek, a native of Kentucky. Her mother's
maiden name was Nancy Jones, a native of Kentucky. Mrs. Wilson was
born in Henry County, Kentucky, June 17, 1847. They have had six
children, two of whom are living, Martha G. and Ella A. Mr. and Mrs.
W. are members of the Christian Church.
S. R. YOUNG
was born in Barren County, Kentucky, May 8, 18 12. His father,
Edward Young, was a native of Virginia, and immigrated to Kentucky
1 88 HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
at an early period. His mother was formerly Keziah Rennick, the
daughter of William Rennick, one of the earliest pioneers of Kentucky,
who came from Virginia, and who lived for several years at McKinney's
Station. Mr. Young is the youngest child of ten children, and was
reared to manhood in Barren County, Kentucky. His only opportuni-
ties for procuring an education were in the subscription schools. His
father died when he was but about fifteen years old, and he then went to
live with his brother, with whom he learned the tanning business. This
he followed near Glasgow, Kentucky, in which state he lived till the
year 1854, when he came to Holt County, Missouri, and located where
he now resides, on section 15, township 61, range 38. He has since fol-
lowed farming and stock raising. Mr. Y. has taken an active interest in
public affairs, and soon after his coming to this county, was chosen jus-
tice of the peace. In the fall of 1858 he was elected the representative
from Holt County in the Twentieth General Assembly. He served in
the regular session, an adjourned session, and a called session. He was
at Jefferson City during the winter of 1858-9 and that of 1859-60, and
was a member of the last General Assembly that convened before the
breaking out of the war. He had run as a candidate for the legislature
on the Democratic ticket, and in the memorable presidential campaign
of i860 gave his warm support to Stephen A. Douglas. When the
country at last was precipitated into the rebellion he took no part in
that struggle, and stood on the same ground occupied by a large num-
ber of the old citizens of Missouri, opposed both to the secession of the
states and their attempt to disrupt the Union, and to the manner in
which coercion was undertaken on the part of the Federal government.
From the latter part of 1864 till the spring of 1868 he resided in Fre-
mont County, Iowa, where he acted as justice of the peace. Since the war
he has acted in sympathy with the principles and policy of the Demo
cratic party. In December, 1839, Mr. Young was married to Miss
Matilda J. Paxton, by which union they have had six children : Joseph
E., born November 19, 1839; Ella M., born January 29, 1842; Keziah
A., familiarly known as " Kittie," born September 23, [845 ; Robert T.,
born November 6, 1848; Sarah E., born April 21, 1850; Benjamin A.,
born September 18, 1853. Mrs. Young was born in Rockingham
County, Virginia, about five miles from the Natural Bridge, on August
5, 1816. Her father, Joseph Paxton, was a native of Virginia and a
soldier in the war of 18 12. Her mother's maiden name was Elvira
Bagby, a native of Virginia.
JOHN W. YOUSE,
house, sign, carriage and ornamental painter, is a son of Levi Youse,
Esq., who was born in Pennsylvania and was there married to Miss
BENTON TOWNSHIP. 1 89
Catharine Catchshaw, also born in the same State. John Youse, the
father of Levi, was a native of Germany. John W. Youse was born in
Franklin County, Pennsylvania, October 16, 1854. He was reared and
educated in his native county, spending his boyhood days on a farm.
In 1873 he went to Tiffin, Ohio, and began his trade with a Mr. Spindler,
a prominent painter of that locality, with whom he remained till the fall
of 1876. He then returned to his native home, and in 1878 came to
Mound City, where he has since been successfully engaged at his trade
having the confidence of the people in this vicinity. William O. Youse,
of the same family as John W., and at present one of the leading carpen-
ters of Mound City, was born in Franklin County, Pennsylvania,
December 5, 1856. When eighteen years of age he began working at
his present trade which he followed in his native county till 1878 when
he came to Mound City. He was married December 17, 1878 to Miss
Ellen Andrews, a daughter of John and Sarah (Kelley) Andrews. Both
were natives of New Jersey. Mrs. Youse was born in the same State
in the year 1857. They have one child, John W.
CHAPTER VIII.
BIGELOW TOWNSHIP.
BIGELOW TOWNSHIP BOUNDARIES— PHYSICAL FEATURES— EARLY SETTLERS-FIRST
MERCANTILE ENTEK PRISE-CHURCHES-ISAAC HAYS— BIGELOW-BIOGRAPHICAL.
Bigelow Township was reduced to its present (1882) limits, March
22, 187 1. It includes, with the exception of sections 1 and 12 in the
northeast corner of the same, the whole of Township 61, range 39, and
eighteen sections and fractional sections of township 61, range 40. It is
bounded on the north by Union and Benton Townships, on the east by
Benton Township; on the south by Lewis Township, and on the west by
the Missouri River, which separates it from the State of Nebraska.
PHYSICAL FEATURES.
The entire area of Bigelow Township lies in the wide bottom which
here extends on a dead level, ten miles westward from the bluffs to the
Missouri River. It is traversed by numerous important streams, and
interspersed with lakes and swamps. The Big Tarkio enters Bigelow
Township from Union, in section 4, and flows in a southerly by westerly
direction through six sections, into Lewis Township, through which it
runs in a westerly course somewhat over a mile, then bending north
ward again, flows into Tarkio swamp cr marsh, in section 36, township
61, range 40. This creek, two hundred links wide in Bigelow Township,
is returned in the government surveys as a navigable stream, to the
south line of township 63, range 40, in what is now Union Township,
and within three miles of the northern boundary of the county.
Little Tarkio enters Bigelow Township near the northwest corner
of section 3, township 61, range 39, and flows in a generally southerly
course, traversing eight sections of the same, and entering Lewis Town-
ship in section 4, township 60, range 39. Its average width in Bigelow
Township is about one hundred links.
Squaw Creek, flowing in a southwesterly course from the neighbor-
hood of Mound City, in Benton Township, enters Bigelow Township in
section 2, at its northeast corner, and flowing through the same, and a
corner of section 1 1, enters Tarkio Creek just within the east boundary
of section 10, township 61, range 39.
BIGELOW TOWNSHIP. 191
The lake, or rather swamp, into which the Big Tarkio flows, is prob-
ably not over one third of a mile wide in its greatest breadth. It extends,
however, over a considerable surface, occupying in its irregular area
portions of sections 18, 19, 30 and 31 of range 40, in township 61. This
body of water was once known as Higgins' Lake. It is now called Big
Lake, and abounds in fish, wild geese and ducks. On the southeast
quarter of section 13, township 61, range 40, bordering on its banks, Wil-
liam and Harmon Higgins, brothers, from Ray and Platte Counties, Mis-
souri, settled in November 1 84 1. Stephen C. Collins, for twenty years
surveyor of Holt County, assisted them in putting up their house. The
Iowa and Sac Indians were then numerous in the neighborhood.
EARLY SETTLERS.
Besides those above mentioned, among the earliest settlers of Bige-
low Township were Joshua Kelso, (still living) constable in 1855, when
it was included in Benton ; Joseph Scott and his sons William and John
Scott; Daniel David, who came from Switzerland County, Indiana;
Jeff. Campbell, Wade Whitney and John Stone, from Virginia ; Jack
Chaney, Joel Chaney and Fields Chaney from Ray County, Missouri ;
fohn L. Morris, from Kanawah, Virginia, whose wife was a daughter of
[ohn Hinkle, who died in 1853, came from Randolph County, Virginia, to
Bigelow Township in 1848. He was an uncle of J. C. Hinkle, now a
orominent citizen of West Lewis Township. Nelson Rodney, C. G.
Hopkins and A. Galloway were early settlers. Among the earliest to
ocate in what is now Bigelow Township was a man by the name of
Wagle, who settled just west of the present site of Bigelow, and lived
:here till the year 1844, when he was forced to move, in consequence of
:he flood of that year. Elijah Duncan and William Farmer were also
imong the earliest settlers of this township. Thomas and John Dun-
can, sons of E. Duncan, and James, Elijah and Andrew Farmer, sons of
■Vm. Farmer; Jacob, James and Alex Fitzwaters from Franklin County,
Missouri. A large number of the settlers of the western portion of
5igelow Township were from Franklin Countv, Missouri.
FIRST MERCANTILE ENTERPRISE.
The first merchants who sold goods in Bigelow Township were
'rury T. Easley and R. J. Poindexter. They came from Franklin
ounty, Missouri, in 1849, an<^ opened a stock of goods near the mouth
' the Tarkio, in what is now West Lewis Township, just across the line
om Bigelow Township. They shortly after went to California. On
ieir return, in 1852, they started a store on the river bank, above Lang-
Mi's place, opposite Rulo, Nebraska. This was the first store ever
192 HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
established within the limits of what is now Bigelow Township. It was
destroyed by fire in 1857. Easley & Poindexter, the pioneer merchants,
enjoy the distinction of being the first to introduce cockle burrs into
Holt County. These they brought in the tails of their horses from
Franklin County, Missouri, on their first arrival in the country.
TIMBER.
Fully four-fifths of the area included within the present limits of
Bigelow Township was originally heavily timbered, and the entire
expanse of this territory, which is bottom land, level as a floor, was
covered with a growth of rushes almost as thick as grass. The trees
which towered above this growth, attained, many of them, to enormous
size, and it was not unusual to find cottonwoods six feet in diameter, as
well as walnut, hackberry, mullbery and and other indigenous growths of
•corresponding dimensions. The rushes which grew here in such vast
profusion, sustained, during the winter season, thousands of cattle which,
supplied with no other food, came out fat in the spring. As many as
ten 'thousand head have been wintered on these rushes in the bottoms
in one season. These were often brought from as iar south as Clay and
Jackson Counties. Judge J. T. V. Thompson, of Liberty, Missouri, had,
among his cattle on these rushes, twelve buffaloes. They were sent there
in 1842. Long after he had removed the rest of the herd, there remained
one cow buffalo which boldly attacked people whom it chanced to encoun-
ter. It was finally shot and killed. This bottom land has all long been
entered, and a vast acreage cleared and in cultivation. The rushes
which once grew here in such boundless profusion, from the action of
fire and other causes, have nearly entirely disappeared. At present
(1882) not above one-half the area of the bottom is timbered. This is
included chiefly in the southern and western parts of the township. In
point of fertility, there is no more excellent country on the continent,
the products of this latitude growing, with slight attention, in vast pro-
fusion. We state, on the authority of Mr. John C. Hinkle, a representa-
tive farmer and reliable resident of this section, whose farm, the south-
west quarter of section 7, extends to the southern limits of this town-
ship, that within half a mile of the Bigelow line, in Lewis Township, on
this bottom land, he raised in 1879, a crop of wheat which averaged
upwards of forty-five bushels of wheat to the acre.
MILLS.
In 1861 the Hoover Saw Mill was moved from Mound City and set
up on Big Tarkio, in the northeast quarter of section 17, township 61,
range 39, one mile and a-half south by west of the present town of
BIGELOW TOWNSHIP. 1 93
Bigelow. In 1864 L. Hoover sold this mill to T. W. and E. D. McCoy,
who operated it till 1869, when they sold to R. P. Lewis, who ran the
mill alone till the year 1870, when he associated with himself in the busi-
ness E. A. Brown, Esq. They continued at this point till the fall of 1876,
when they moved the mill to the northwest quarter of section 7, town-
ship 61, range 39, three miles west of the town of Bigelow, where it is
still (1882) operated. The yield of this mill averages about one million
feet of lumber per year. This is chiefly Cottonwood, elm, walnut and
basswood. The receipts from sales of walnut lumber alone, sawed at
this mill, in the year 1881, amounted to $5,889. The other permanent
or stationary sawmill of Bigelow Township is now (1882) owned by
Jacob Book. It formerly stood on Little Tarkio Creek, four miles south
of the town of Bigelow. In 1870 it was moved by Johnson & Chambers
to the northeast quarter of section 32, township 61, range 39, on the
waters of the Big Tarkio. Several years after Jacob Book purchased the
mill and moved it to its present location, the east eighty of the north-
west quarter of section 21, township 61, range 39, about two and a-half
miles southwest of the town of Bigelow.
CHURCHES.
The first ecclesiastical edifice erected within the present limits of
Bigelow Township was the white church, which stood on the east bank
of Big Tarkio, on a farm now (1882) owned by B. M. Beesley, on the
southeast quarter of section 32, township 61, range 39. This church was
built in i860 by the M. E. Church, South, at a cost of about six hun-
dred dollars. The organizers of the congregation were Isaac H. Jones,
now of Rulo, Nebraska, and his wife ; Isaac Jarvis and wife, Mrs. Susan
D. Easley, Mrs. Elizabeth Poindexter, U. T. Cranmer and wife, and Mrs.
Mary A. Spoonamore.
The first sermon was preached in this church on the 4th of July,
i860, by Rev. Mr. Dodd, of Calloway County, Missouri. In the winter
of- 1871, the structure of this, the pioneer church of the township, was
destroyed by fire.
In the succeeding summer the "Brick Church" was built by the
congregation of the burned church. This they located on the southeast
quarter of section 29, one mile north of the site of the old White
Church. It is a neat building, thirty by fifty feet in the clear, and was
completed at a cost of $2,000. It is one of the best buildings of its
character in the county.
Shiloh M. E. Church, South, also in Bigelow Township, is a frame
structure, which stands on the bank of the Missouri River, in section 23,
township 61, range 40. It is a building thirty by forty feet in extent,
and was erected in 1873, at a cost of about seven hundred dollars. The
13
194 HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
principal members who built this church were George H. Walker, A. I.
Griffin and Robert Adkison.
ISAAC HAYS.
In our report of Lewis Township mention is made of the death, at
the advanced age of 104 years, of Mrs. Pope, of Forest City. Bigelow
Township also, it appears, had her prodigy of longevity, in the person of
the venerable Isaac Hays, who died in October, 1880, at his residence
just within the limits of Lewis Township, near the south line of Bigelow
Township, on the fractional section 6, township 60, range 39, where the
Big Tarkio enters the latter from the former township. From a notice
of his life, written by the Rev. W. S. Mahan, of Mound City, Holt County,
Missouri, and published in the Kansas Chief, we glean the following
facts : " Isaac Hays was born in Greenbriar County, Virginia, July 28,
1778. At the age of two years he moved, with his parents, uncles and
grandparents to Kentucky. They joined Daniel Boone and his pioneers
in the fort where Boonsboro' was subsequently built. His father, John
Hays, was killed in a fight with the Indians, on Brier Creek, leaving
young Isaac and a baby sister to provide for. They remained at the fort
about nine years, and Father Hays, as he was familiarly known in this
country, retained to the last a very distinct recollection of Boone. On
attaining his majority he moved, with his mother and sister, to Garrard
County, Kentucky, and, in 1812, was married to Miss Anna Hohimer,
whose parents came from North Carolina. In February, 1813, he took
the place of one Samuel Davis, who had been drafted, to go with the
command of the unfortunate Col. Dudley, to join Gen. W. H. Harrison,
at Fort Meigs, receiving for so doing 155 silver dollars. He was subse-
quently in the disastrous engagement with the British and Indians, at
the River Raisin, and was one of the few whose fortune it was to escape
that terrible massacre. With his fellow captives he was taken to Mai-
den, Canada, and there paroled. Furnished with two days rations they
tramped through the wilderness to their homes, and arrived on the 5th
day of May. August 14, 1814, another draft was made and our hero
drew the black bean. He was forthwith enrolled in the company of
Capt. William Woods, Col. Stoughton's regiment and Gen. Adair's brig-
ade, which was ordered to join Gen. Jackson, at New Orleans. Just pre-
vious to starting from home he united with the M. E. Church, not wish-
ino", as he expressed it, if killed, to die in his sins. Embarking in flat-
boats the expedition started from the locality where Portland, Ken-
tucky, now stands, bound for New Orleans. At Natchez, and subse-
quently at Baton Rouge, they were met by couriers, urging them to make
all haste. January 4, 1815, they passed the city of New Orleans and
encamped three miles below its site. On the 8th was fought the memo-
rable battle which immortalized Jackson. Isaac Hays was one of the
BIGELOW TOWNSHIP. 195
seven in the American ranks who were wounded. The scar of this
wound, which was on his left arm, he carried to the day of his death.
Father Hays, in speaking of that memorable occasion, mentioned that a
ball passed through the crown of his hat, just grazing his hair, and
another ball cut off part of the rim of his hat and went through the cape
of his hunting shirt. He also stated that a light rain fell continually,
but ceased in the afternoon, when the sun shone out beautifully. He
saw Gen. Packenham's body, lying within one hundred yards of the
ditch. He had been shot in the head, the bullet entering the left eye.
March 18th he started for home, with $21 loaned him by a deserter
whom he had befriended. Arriving April 27 he found his home in ashes
and its contents destroyed. His wife and child, however, had escaped
the flames. He remained in Kentucky till 1827, and was major of his
home regiment of militia.'elected over three competitors by 250 majority.
After leaving Kentucky he settled in Indiana, but soon after moved to
McLean County, where he remained a number of years. His wife dying
he returned to Kentucky and married a widow, Mary Renfrow, in the
same house where he had married his first wife. In 1854 Major Hays
moved to Holt County, Missouri, and settled near the mouth of the Big
Tarkio, where he continued to reside up to the period of his death. In
March, 1861, his second wife died, and he was left entirely alone, as his
two sons had entered the army and his daughters were married and gone.
The old major was an uncompromizing Union man, and boldly defied a
gang of robbers, who, calling themselves Confederate soldiers, plundered
his house during the stormy days of the rebellion. During the war the
old man made a third matrimonial venture, espousing, this time, a
widow lady residing in Hiawatha, Kansas. He had, by this marriage,
four children, the eldest now (1882) nineteen years of age, and the
youngest twelve, all hearty, good-looking young people. On Major
Hays' one hundredth birthday five hundred people dined with him, and
mainly at his expense ; and, as he was poor and a Government pen-
sioner, it was resolved that when the one hundred and second anniver-
sary arrived the same should be celebrated at the expense of his friends.
Accordingly, on July 28, 1880, several hundred persons again dined with
him, in J. C. Hinkle's grove, but, on this occasion, as determined, at their
)wn expense, many of them making him, besides, small donations.
Appropriate addresses were delivered by the Rev. W. S. Mahan and
jen. Wilkinson, of Mound City. The Rev. Mr. Campbell led in prayer,
md the whole affair was a success enjoyed by all present."
BIGELOW
> the only trading point within the limits of the township. It is located
n the Kansas City, St. Joseph and Council Bluffs Railroad, in the center of
T96 HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
section io, township 61, range 39, thirty-eight miles from St. Joseph,
and one hundred and six miles from Kansas City. The town of Bige-
low took its start in November, 1868, at which period Captain H. L. Wil-
liams opened in the place the first store within the limits of the town-
ship. The business of this enterprise was conducted by W. A. Bostick
till March, 1869, when H. C. Haines took charge of the same and con-
tinued to operate it till 1875, when he bought out his employer and con-
tinued the business on his own account till August, 1878, at which
period he moved to Sabetha, Kansas.
In March, 1869, T. D. Frazer & Bro., opened in the place a general
stock of goods. The firm continued under this name till the year 1873,
when B. F. Fleming became a partner in the concern, and the business
was thenceforth transacted in the firm name of Fleming & Frazer. Jan-
uary 1, 1882, B. F. Fleming purchased the interest of his partner and
has since continued to conduct the business in his own name alone, and
is to-day one of the most popular and successful merchants in the county.
Dr. J. P. Jackson opened in 1870 the first drug store in Bigelow.
He commanded a large practice as a physician, and continued the busi-
ness of his store by deputy till 1875, when he sold out and was sue
ceeded by C. S. Armstrong. In 1877, Simpson & Chuning bought out
the establishment and conducted its business till 1879, when they sold
to Muir & Campbell. June, 1881, they sold to the present (1882) pro-
prietors.
In 1875, Holt Bros, started a drug store, which they sold in 1877 tc
James McLean. He afterwards sold to Edmund Anibal, who sold out
December 29, 1881, to John C. Hinkle.
The first blacksmith to locate in the town of Bigelow was C. H
Graves, who settled there and opened his shop in the spring of 1869
Disgusted with the untoward consequences of the high water of 1881
he sold out to John L. Spohn, blacksmith and wagonmaker, and emi-
grated. W. E. Preston was the first wagonmaker to locate in Bigelow
He moved away in 1 881.
William Perry started in 1868 the first saloon in the place. Hi:
successors were James M. Smith in 1869, John Smith in 1875, and J. N
Westfall, present (1882) proprietor of the business.
In 1879, James W. White, started a confectionery, which is stil
running.
Robert Notley built and opened in 1869 the first hotel in the place
He remained in the business two years. His hotel was the Bigelov
House, now owned and kept by I. B. Courier. The Star Hotel was buil
by J. L. Moffit in 1872. Several parties at different times kept th'
house. It has been closed since 1877.
Dr. J. P. Jackson, the first physician to settle in the place, move<
there in 1869. He afterwards located in Mound City and is now (1882
BIGELOW TOWNSHIP. 197
a practitioner of Kansas City. Doctors Rhodes and W. S. Allen were
located in the town previous to 1876.
The present (1882) physicians are Dr. J. H. Twyman and Dr. J. L.
Minton.
The only lawyer who ever settled in Bigelow was M. A. Duff, who
located there in 1872, in the practice of his profession. He now (1882)
resides on his farm in the township.
J. H. Isgriff was the the first justice of the peace in the town. He
was succeeded November, 1870, by H. C. Long, Esq., the present official
The first postmaster of Bigelow was H. C. Haines, appointed in
1869. He was succeeded in 1870 by L. Sloan. Dr. J. P. Jackson was
postmaster in 1871. He was succeeded in 1874 by H. C. Long, J.
P., who held the office till 1877, when H. H. Simpson received the
appointment. The present (1882) postmaster, Esquire H. C. Long, was
appointed for the second time January I, 1882.
In 1880, John L. Chuning, an enterprising citizen of the county, put
up, in the town of Bigelow, the second brick residence in the township.
This is a spacious and handsome two story building, and was completed
at a cost of three thousand dollars.
Mr. Chuning, in the following year, put up the first brick business
house in the township. This is also in the town of Bigelow, and was
completed at a cost of five thousand dollars. The dimensions of this
structure, which is also a two story building, are twenty-six by ninety
feet. In November, 1881, W. H. Bell & Co. opened, on 'the lower floor,
1 a large stock of general merchandise. The upper floor, which is
approached by an inside stairway, is occupied by a public hall 60x26
feet. The balance of this floor, 26x30 feet, is divided into offices.
The town contains a good frame school building with a belfry. The
only ecclesiastical edifice in Bigelow is the structure of the Roman
: Catholic Church, a small but neat gothic frame building, erected at a
1 cost of $1,600.
Up to the period (1880) of the building of the Nodaway Valley
Branch Road, of which Bigelow is the southern terminus, the town was
an important shipping point. Of walnut lumber alone Lewis & Brown
shipped, in one season, eighteen car loads.
Bigelow, at one period, was one of the best shipping points on the
line of the K. C, St. Joseph & C. B. railroad, between St. Joseph and
Council Bluffs. The completion of the railroad across the often wet and
scarcely passable bottoms extending eastward to the blufts, transferred
the bulk of this business to Mound City, the rising commercial center of
Holt County. It is still, however, an important trading point, com-
manding the patronage of the wide extent of bottom land extending
vestward to the Missouri River.
198 HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
4-BIOGRAPHICAL.* I
THOMAS ALMOND
was born in Hendricks County, Indiana, February 16, 1839, and was the
son of Pleasant and Sarah (Merritt) Almond, both natives of Kentucky.
In 1841 the family moved to Iowa, and Thomas was brought up in Van
Buren and Henry Counties of that state, being educated in the common
schools. During the war he was in service for three years, in Company
A, First Colorado Cavalry Regiment, and went through Western Kan-
sas, Colorado and New Mexico. After the war he returned to Henry
County, Iowa, and then engaged in freighting from Omaha to Fort
Laramie, continuing this business for three years. In 1875 he removed
to Holt County, Missouri, and began tilling the soil. He now owns
160 acres of land in section 22. Mr. Almond was married February 29,
1872, in this county, to Miss Elizabeth Duke, who was born in Gasconade
County, Missouri. She is the daughter of Josiah G. Duke. Mr. and
Mrs. A. have three children : Riley Spencer, born November 24, 1872 ;
Sarah Ann, born December 16, 1874, and Lucy I. E. M. J., born June 10,
[880. He is Republican in politics.
EDMUND ANIBAL
was born January 10, 1844, in Fulton County, New York. His father,
Robert C. Anibal, was a native of the same state, and his mother,
formerly Catherine Eglin, of New Jersey. Edmund was reared on his
father's farm in Fulton County. He was educated at the Jonesville
Academy, and afterwards attended Union College, at Schenectady, for
about two years. In 1865 he came west, and for one year was engaged
in teaching school at Hiawatha, Brown County, Kansas. In April, 1866.
he came to Holt County and taught for twelve years, having had charge
of but two schools during that time — in Bigelow five years and at
another place seven years. Recognizing his ability as an able instructor,
the Democratic party nominated him as their candidate for county
school commissioner in 1866. He was elected and filled the position
very creditably for two years. In 1878 he established a drug and gro-
cery business in Bigelow Township, and has established a successful
trade. Mr. Anibal was married November 12, 1869, in Holt County,
to Miss Phcebe J. Hinkle. She is a neice of Henry Clay Dean, and is a
native of Virginia. They have two children : Charles W., born August
e
BIGELOW TOWNSHIP. I99
22, 1870, and Laura May, born December 23, 1873. Mr. A. is a member
of the Masonic order, and is one of the leading business men of this
place.
BALY M. BEESLEY,
section 32, was born in Stokes County, North Carolina, January I, 1854,
and was a son of Jacob and A. J. Beesley. The former was a native of
Stokes County, North Carolina, and the latter of Virginia. In 1856
Jacob Beesley died, after which the family moved to Howard County,
Indiana, where they resided'until October 1863, then removing to Holt
; County, Missouri. Baly was raised on a farm in Howard County, attend-
ing the district school during the winter, and since coming to this county
he has attended the Oregon graded school for one year. With these
exceptions his education has been obtained by self application. When
fifteen years of age he left home and was engaged in working on a farm
by the month for three years. With the money thus obtained he pur-
chased books and now has a very fine library; he is an excellent teacher,
and has served as such for five years. Much study has been given by
him to astronomy and astrology, and he is now lecturing on these sub-
jects, his lectures being highly endorsed by the leading educators of the
county. He is Republican in politics, and in March, 188 1, was appointed
as a justice of the peace of Bigelow Township. His farm contains 100
acres, 75 of which are under cultivation, with orchard, etc., upon it.
June 8, 1876, Mr. Beesley was married to Miss Mary A. Minton, daughter
of Elisha Minton. She was born and reared in Holt County. They
have two children : Mary E., born April 13, 1878, and Roberta Ann,
born March 15, 1880.
BENJAMIN F. FLEMING
s one of the prominent men of Bigelow, and has been in business con-
inuously longer than any man in the place. He was born in Wayne
bounty, Kentucky, September 23, 1838, and was the son of E. D. R. and
Dorcas (Vickery) Fleming. His mother was a native of Kentucky and
lis father was born near Halifax Court House. The latter was a farmer
>y occupation, and Benjamin grew to manhood on a farm in his native
ounty. He received but a very limited common school education, and,
n August, 1867, removed to Holt County, Missouri, where he became
ngaged in the saw mill and lumber business in this township. Two
ears afterwards he disposed of this industry and embarked in the mer-
antile trade in Bigelow. He is now doing business in the same house
1 which he started thirteen years ago, and is carrying a good stock of
eneral merchandise, being successful in his transactions. Mr. Fleming
'as married April 13, 1873, at New Point, Missouri, to Miss Laura
>'Neal, daughter of Elisha O'Neal. She is a native of Wisconsin. They
200 HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
have two children living : Mary Edna, born January 6, 1875, and Jennie
V., born May 15, 1880. Two children are deceased.
HENRY JONES,
section 26, was born October 13, 1838, in Mahoning County, Ohio. His
father, Clemons Jones, and his mother were both natives of Maryland.
Henry was brought up in his native county and received a limited edu-
cation, during the winters, in the common schools. In 1855 ne went to
Iowa, but after remaining a short time took a trip to California, in i860.
While there he was engaged in teaming, and after five years he left that
state and came to Holt County, Missouri, in the fall of 1866, settling on
a farm. He now owns 180 acres of land, 125 being cultivated, and upon
it is a young orchard of 150 apple trees, and other fruit. Mr. Jones has
been twice married. First, in this county, to Miss Lucinda Green. To
his present wife, formerly Miss Julia Chaney, he was married September
4,. 1880. She is the daughter of Hosea Chaney, and was born and reared
in Holt County. Mr. Jones has two children : Mina, born November
22, 1869, and Addie Leora, born June 1, 1877. Mr. J. is independent in
politics. He is a member of the Masonic Order, and also of the Grange.
RICHARD P. LEWIS,
of the firm of Lewis & Brown, manufacturers and dealers in lumber,
Bigelow, was born in Rush County, Indiana, June 25, 1826. His father,
N. G. Lewis, was a native of Breckenndge County, Kentucky, and his
mother, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Pearson, was born in Vir-
ginia. In 1838, the family moved to Madison County, Indiana, and
Richard spent his youth on a farm, and attended school in Rush and
Madison Counties. The principal part of his education was obtained by
study outside of the school room. In 1854, he went to Dallas County,
Iowa, and after farming for one season, began work at the carpenter's
trade in Adel. This, in connection with other mechanical industries, he
continued until 1862, and for six years thereafter was interested in mer-
chandising at the same place. He then moved to Bartlett, Fremont
County, and resumed the same business until 1870. In that year Mr.
Lewis came to Holt County, and embarked in the saw mill and lumber
trade, and since that time has continued as a manufacturer and dealer
in lumber. In May, 1864, he enlisted in the hundred day service, in the
Forty-sixth Iowa Infantry. He is Democratic in politics, and a member
of the Masonic fraternity. Mr. L. has been twice married : First, May
15, 1845, to Miss Eleanor Cook, daughter of John Cook. By this union
there were four children, only one of whom is living. Mrs. Lewis died
December 30, 1861. He was again married April 3, 1866, in Madison
BIGELOW TOWNSHIP. 201
County, Indiana, to Miss Hattie Graham, daughter of Harry Graham,
Esq. She was born in Indiana, July 27, 1845. This union was blessed
with two children : Ralph L., born December 17, 1876, and Harry C,
born April 21, 188 1.
HENRY C. LONG
was born in Claiborne County, Tennessee, January 20, 18 19, and was a
son of John and Anna (Carr) Long, the former a native of North Caro-
lina, and the latter of Tennessee. John Long was a soldier in the war
of 1812, and in the engagement at New Orleans was wounded and car-
ried a British ball in his hip until the time of his death. In 1832 the
family moved to Morgan County, Illinois, where the subject of this
sketch resided until he came to Holt County, landing here April 6,
1855. He settled four miles south of Mound City, and up to the year
1880 was engaged in farming and stock raising. At that time he moved
to Bigelow. He is now acting as justice of the peace for this township,
having been elected twelve years ago, and has ever since been continu-
ously re-elected. In December, 1881, he was appointed postmaster of
the town, and entered upon the discharge of his duties in January, 1882.
Mr. Long has been three times married ; first, June 4, 1840, in Morgan
County, Illinois, to Miss Susan Matthews, and after twenty-five years
of married life she died, February, 1865. His second marriage occurred
in October, 1867, in Holt County, to Mrs. Ruth Titus, who died a
few years later. In April, 1871 or 1872 he was married to his pres-
ent wife, in this county. Mr. Long has eight children living: Alice J.
(wife of Jacob West), born April 28, 1846 ; William H., born January 7,
1848; John W., born December 15, 1849; Martha L. (wife of C. E.
Courier), born October 1, 1853 ; Eliza Ellen (wife of William Finicle),
born October 29, 1855; Mary L., born August 12, 1859; Charles H.,
born March 31, i85i, and George Isaac, born February 24, 1862. Mr.
Long is Republican in politics, and has always been prominently iden-
tified with this party.
GEORGE McKOWN,
section 24, was born in Clinton County, Missouri, on the 30th of May,
1837. His parents were Jeremiah and Ada (Livingston) McKown, the
former being a native of Kentucky. George was reared on his father's
farm in Clinton and Buchanan Counties, where the family subsequently
moved. His educational advantages were somewhat restricted, he only
being able to attend the common subscription schools. In the fall of
1865 he moved to Holt County, settling on a farm in the western part of
Lewis Township, and after a period of ten years he located in Bigelow
Township. He now has 120 acres of land, some of which is timber, and
upon the place is an orchard of apple and peach trees. Mr. McKown is
202 HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
Democratic in politics and is a member of the Grange. He was married
December 3, 1857, to Miss Ruth J. Branson, in Andrew County. Mr. and
Mrs. M. have eight children : William F., born November 18, 1859;
Nancy L., born March 22, 1863; Mattie May, born December 30, 1865;
Andrew J., born May 8, 1869; Jeremiah, born August 14, 1871; John M.,
born November 25, 1873; Lucinda, bom November 2, 1875, and George,
born March 24, 1878.
THOMAS MACKEY,
section 29, was born in Holt County, Missouri, September 21, 185 1. His
father, Thomas Mackey, Sr., was a native of Pike County, Missouri, and
his mother, formerly Mary Jones, was born in Tennessee. In 1856 the
family removed to Nebraska, where they resided for about eight years,
and in 1864 returned to Holt County. Young Mackey was brought up
on his father's farm, here and in Nebraska, and was educated in the com-
mon schools. He also attended one term at Forest City. He is now
the owner of 172 acres of land, on the Missouri bottoms, 120 acres of
which are under cultivation. A good orchard adorns the farm, consist-
ing of all varieties of fruit adapted to this climate. Mr. Mackey was
married in this county, February 15, 1874, to Miss Anna M. Moore,
daughter of S. Moore, of Mound City. Mrs. M. was born in Iowa, but
was raised here. They have four children : William F., born December
7, 1874; Marion M., born September 21, 1876; Genevia W., born Sep-
tember 25, 1878, and Albert S. C, born September 17, 1880. Mr. and
Mrs. M. are members of the Baptist Church. He belongs to the Grange,
and in politics is democratic.
PETER RILEY,
one of the leading farmers of this township, was born February 21, 1839,
in Columbiana County, Ohio, and was the son of John R. and Catharine
(Richards) Riley. The former was a native of New Jersey and the latter
of Pennsylvania. The family finally moved to Pickaway County, Ohio,
where John Riley died, in 1842. Peter went to Montgomery County,
Indiana, in 185 1, and, after living there for six years, came to Holt
County, in 1855, and settled on the Missouri River. He passed his youth
on a farm and had but meagre chances to obtain an education, his school-
ing being principally acquired by self application. He is now the owner
of 373 acres of land, 145 acres is the home place, and of this no acres
are under cultivation. His orchards consists of 200 apple, besides peach,
cherry and pear trees. He resides on section 15. Mr. Riley was mar-
ried in Holt County, October 8, 1857, to Miss Lydia Miller, a daughter
BIGELOW TOWNSHIP.
203
of John R. Miller. She was born in Ohio, October 28, 1838. They have
had ten children, seven of whom are living-: Sarah J., wife of James G.
Cateron, born May 17, 1858 ; Mary Isabelle, wife of D. S. Cateron, born
January 2, 1861 ; Leona, born September 9, 1865 ; Ida May, born Jan-
uary 12, 1868 ; Dora Alice, born November 19, 1869; Harry Lee, born
July 4, 1874; Benjamin F., born March 3, 1880. Mr. Riley is a Demo-
crat, politically, and is a member of the Masonic order.
CHAPTER IX.
CLAY TOWNSHIP.
BOUNDARIES-PHYSICAL FEA I'URES-EARLY SETTLERS— WHIG VALLEY— MAITLAND-
SCHOOLS— CHURCHES— BUSINESS DIRECTORY— BIOGRAPHICAL.
Clay Township embraces the northeastern municipal division of
Holt County. It was first organized at the June term of the Holt County
Court, in the year 1854, and in the record of that date is thus described:
BOUNDARIES.
" Beginning in the middle of the main channel of the Nodaway
River two miles north of where Oiler's Base Line crosses said river, thence
due west parallel with said Oiler's line to the top of the dividing ridge
between the waters of the Nodaway and those of the Little Tarkio;
thence following said divide north to the county line between Atchison
and Holt Counties, thence east with said line to the middle of the main
channel of the Nodaway River, thence down the same to the point of
beginning, to be designated as Clay Township."
On the organization, June 20, 1874, of Hickory Township, Clay
Township was reduced to its present limits, which are bounded as
follows : On the north by Atchison County ; on the east by Nodaway
County, from which it is separated by the Nodaway River ; on the south
by Hickory Township ; and on the west by six miles of Liberty and three
miles of Benton Township. It includes within its limits about forty-six
square miles of territory.
PHYSICAL FEATURES.
The physical aspect of the country is that of a gently undulating
plain diversified with elevations and depressions along the water courses,
generally in the vicinity of the Nodaway.
Highley's Creek, named in honor of William Highley, heads in sec
tions 35 and 25, township 63, range 38, and flowing in a southeasterly
and easterly direction, is met in the southeast corner of section 16, town-
ship 62, range 37, by Schooler's Branch. The united streams called on
the county map, Buck's Branch, flow through Whig Valley, a district of
Clay Township which comprises a part of sections 8, 9, 17, and all of 16,
and part of 20 and 21 in township 62, range 37.
CLAY TOWNSHIP. 205
Roland's Branch heads in the northeast part of Clay Township, in
section 24, and flows in a northeasterly and southeasterly course, enter-
ing Nodaway River in the east part of section 21, township 63, range 37.
The stream at this point is from fifteen to twenty links wide.
The Indian Ford on Nodaway River extended from the northwest
quarter of section 3, township 62, range 37. The river, at this point is
fordable at low water.
White's Ferry was on the Nodaway near the southeast corner of sec-
tion 4, township 62, range 37. S. C. Collins surveyed, in March i860,
the state road from Forest City to Maryville, in Nodaway County, by
this ferry, and found the distance from Forest City to the ferry to be
nineteen miles, thirty-three and one-half chains to the middle of the
Nodaway River, and the total distance from Forest City to Maryville
thirty-five miles, 59.45 chai-ns. This road runs through Whig Valley.
The chain carriers in the survey of this road were Robert Gibson and
Robert Hill.
King's Grove is partly in Clay Township in section 19. It derived
its name from John King's father, who settled in that locality in 1849 or
1850. In the government survey of September 25, 1839, what is now
known as King's Grove is designated as Roland's Grove.
EARLY SETTLERS.
The original pioneers in the northeast part of Holt County were
Whigs, and being intensely devoted to the principles of that grand old
party, and possessing an unbounded admiration for its gallant leader,
Henry Clay, they named the locality which they settled Whig Valley,
and the township Clay.
The first settler of Whig Valley was Theodore Higley, who, in the
year 1846, made the first settlement on the northeast quarter of section
18, township 62, range 37. In 1848, about two years later, W. G. Higley,
who had been a soldier in the Mexican War, returned, and settled near
his father, Theodore. About the same time Thomas J. Evans settled on
the northeast quarter of section 9, in the same Congressional township,
but soon afterward sold to Joseph White. This place was for many
years known as " White's Ford," from a crossing on the Nodaway River
at that point. About the year 1850, Charles Schooler settled on what is
known as the Schooler farm, which occupies a part of the southeast
quarter of section 16, township 62, range 37. About the year 1852, Wil-
liam McDonald and Montgomery McDonald came from Kentucky.
These parties, excepting the last named, came from Indiana. From
1852 to i860, several farms were opened and improved. Among the
the other early settlers were Joseph White, John S. Peters and David
Bender, from Indiana, and Lewis Garnett, from Kentucky. John and
William King were also among the first.
206 HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
As stated, the early settlers were all Whigs, and what was calle
Whig Valley embraced a small portion of country bordering on th<
Nodaway River, not more than two miles in extent from north to south
and about the same distance from east to west. During the war th»
majority of old settlers left, and the present population of this distric
is mostly composed of parties from Ohio, who are intelligent and enter
prising.'
WHIG VALLEY
was the name of the post office, and a town was laid out in the fall o
1876, and a store built. The first store in Whig Valley was establishec
in 1870 by E. A. Burnett & Bro., and stood on section 9, of township 62
range 37. This was purchased by E. F. Weller, who, in 1876, built th<
present store on the town site of Whig Valley. Whig Valley wa
abandoned when Maitland was laid out, its business houses and thei
proprietors all moving to the new town.
MAITLAND.
On the 12th day of May, 1880, the plat of the embryo town of Mait
land, in Clay Township, was filed in the Recorder's Office of Holt County
by J. F. Barnard, of St: Joseph, Missouri, who was the owner of the lane
upon which the town was located. The original town site occupies the
south half of the southeast quarter of section 4, and the west half of the
northeast quarter of section 9, township 62, range 37. So rapidly did il
grow, and so numerous were the buildings which had been erected that
on the 4th day of August, following, Mr. Barnard filed the plat of ar
addition to the town. It is handsomely located, on the Nodoway Val-
ley Railroad, a branch of the Kansas City, St. Joseph & Council Bluff;
Road, about eighteen miles from its intersection with the main line, anc
contains, at this time, a population of about six hundred souls. The
placid little stream, called the Nodaway River, forms the eastern
boundary line, of its corporation, and flows in a southwesterly direction
towards the Missouri, with which it unites twenty-eight miles distant
Upon the opposite side of the Nodaway, from Maitland, is situated the
thriving little village of Graham, in Nodaway County, the two towns
being connected by an elegant iron bridge, which cost the two countie
of Holt and Nodaway $6,000. The country surrounding Maitland (Clay
Township) is conceded to be the best agricultural district in the county
both on account of its physical features and the fertility of its soil.
FIRST IMPROVEMENTS.
The pioneer building of the town was put up in June, 1880, by J. M
Wensch & Co., of St. Joseph, Missouri, for a lumber office. The second
CLAY TOWNSHIP. 207
house was moved from Whig Valley, by E. F. Weller, and located on the
south side of Main and First street, south corner, for a store. Mr. Wel-
ler was the first postmaster. The first business house erected in the
town was the hardware store of C. D. Messenger, who was from St. Joseph.
The next business house was erected by Garnett & Swope, and used as
a drug store. Then came David Kennedy, William Ritchie and others,
all of whom began and finished their improvements between June and
August, 1880.
SECRET ORDERS.
The A. O. of U. W. have an organization, and meet over th6 bank
of Weller & Donovan.
•SCHOOLS.
Besides the seven schools that are taught in the township the town
has a good public school in successful operation, which numbers one hun-
dred and ten pupils, under the superintendency of Miss Dora E.Turner.
No school building has been erected, but it is contemplated to build one
soon, which is to have all the conveniences and appliances possessed by
the modern school-house. The railroad company has donated a block
for a public school building. •
CHURCHES.
The first church, a frame building, was put up in September, 1880,
by the Christian denomination and organized by Elder W. F. Wait. The
second and last church edifice (frame) was erected also in 1880 by the M.
E. Church. The first pastor was Rev. James Showalter, who still offi-
ciates.
NEWSPAPERS.
The town supports one newspaper, Maitland Independent, J. J.
Moulton, proprietor. The paper is independent in politics, and was
established about March, 1881.
BUSINESS DIRECTORY.
Anders, Albert, confectioner. Jenne, Z., carpenter.
3aublitt, George, confectioner. Johnson, C, artist.
^aublitt, George, billiard hall. Maxwell. D. R., physician.
Surch, W. E., physician. McCoy, John, barber.
looker, — , Hotel. Messenger, C. D., hardware.
-ain, Daniel, carpenter. Moore, James & Co., groceries and
hambers, Howard, restaurant and provisions.
• confectionery. Moore & Siemon, groceries.
ummins & Thayer, agricultural Noble, C, drugs.
implements. Palmer, W. A., sewing machines.
208 HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
Dougherty, M. N. & Co., dry goods. Park & Roberts, drugs.
Downey, T. S., physician. Pratt, E. R., livery stable.
Dulaney, E. E., contractor and Ritchie, William, carpenter.
builder. Russell, Mrs., millinery.
Ewing & Brady, dry goods. Rea, J. I., law office.
Frank Julius, baker and confec- Salters, J. W., blacksmith and wag-
tioner. onmaker.
Everhart, William, furniture. Sarber, C, barber.
Finney, Williams & Co., lumber. Sherburne, A. M., physician.
Graham & Frame, dry goods. Sidell, Julius, butcher.
Hart, E. A., justice of the peace. Smock & Owens, groceries and
Hatfield, James, postmaster. queensware.
Hedgpath, D., sewing machines. Stone, J. R., saddles and harness.
Hinkle, Mrs. M. A., millinery. Swope, John S., grain elevator.
Howell Bros., lumber yard. Thompson & Dicky, butchers.
Kennedy, David, blacksmith. Vanderlinde, John, drugs.
Kenyon, Monroe, hardware. Wyman, R. C, physician.
Kernes, William, Valley hotel. Weller & Donovan, bankers.
Kidd, W. H., grocer. White, Robert, wagonmaker.
King, S. D., carpenter. Young, — , shoemaker.
Leach, C. A., telegraph and express office.
TOWN OFFICIALS.
E. F. Weller, councilman. W. A. Graham, councilman.
David Kennedy, councilman. James Wensch, councilman.
E. A. Phillips, councilman. James Palmer, constable.
James Moore, street commissioner.
®—l?=$i=z$- «L
"*s/f^
5BIOGRAPHICAL.&
JOSEPH ANDES,
farmer and breeder of fine hogs, section 14, is a native of Shenandoah
County, Virginia, was born August 7, 1852, and is a son of John and
Susan (Glick) Andes. His father was born in Rockingham County,
Virginia, in 1819, and his mother in Shenandoah County Virginia. After
being married they settled in Shenandoah County, Virginia, and in the
spring of 1856 moved to Holt County, Missouri, settling near Oregon.
CLAY TOWNSHIP. 209
There they remained one year, and then located four miles southeast of
Mound City. John Andes died in October, 1870, and his wife now makes
her home with her son, William G. Joseph Andes spent his youthful
days and received a good education in Holt County, Missouri; At the
age of twenty-two years he took a pleasure trip to California, and
remained on the Pacific coast till December, 1874, when he returned to
Holt County. He was married December 30, 1865, to Miss Nancy
J. Palmer, a native of Holt County, Missouri, born May 30, 1859. She
is a daughter of Martin V. and Nancy (Roberson) Palmer, the for-
mer a native of Holt County, Missouri, born March 29th, 1834, and her
mother, of Monroe County, Kentucky, born September 29, 1829. She
moved with her parents to Clinton County, Missouri, in 1830, and to
Holt County, in 1850. Mr. and Mrs. Palmer were married January 2,
1859, and afterwards settled in Nebraska. Her father was in the late
war, and later went west and was killed by Indians. Mr. and Mrs. Andes
lived on the old homestead till 1876, when they moved to their present
farm. Mr. A. has been an extensive live stock dealer. They have three
children John M., born October 29, 1877; Mattie M., born November
12, 1879, and George C, born August 19, 1881. They are both members
of the German Baptist Church.
PETER L. BOHART,
of the firm of P. L. Bohart & Co., merchants, is a native of Clarke County,
Indiana, and was born January 24, 1859, being a son of R. C. and Eliza
Bohart. His father was a native of Guernsey County, Ohio, born Sep-
tember 7, 1828, and with his parents he moved to Clarke County, Indiana,
where he was married. He began the mercantile business when at the
age of twenty-one years, but subsequently sold out and moved to
Graham, Nodaway County, Missouri, in 1864. There he did a general
merchandising business till 1879, when he disposed of his interest to his
sons. He died soon after. Mrs. Eliza Bohart is still living. P. L. spent
his boyhood days in his native county, and with his parents moved to
Graham, Nodaway County, Missouri. There he received an excellent
education, and in the spring of 1878 graduated at Bryant's Business Col-
lege, at St. Joseph. His early tastes were for the general dry goods busi-
ness, so after completing his studies he returned to Graham and entered
his father's store as clerk. He soon earned for himself an enviable rep-
utation as a salesman, and in the fall of 1878 in connection with his two
brothers he purchased the entire stock of goods from the father, and
continued the business till September 1881, when he sold out. The fol-
lowing winter was spent at Chicago, and in the spring of 1882 he returned
home and formed a partnership with J. H. and W. B. Bohart, purchasing
the entire stock of dry goods of Dougherty & Taylor. They are now
doing an excellent business, and well merit their success.
14
2IO HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
JUDGE J. R. BRADFORD
is one of Clay Township's most popular citizens. He is a native of Ross
County, Ohio, and was born March 12, 1824. His father, Thomas, was a
native of Plymouth, Massachusetts, born February 25, 1778, and was a
ship carpenter by trade. He was married to Miss Mary Holmes, a native
of Massachusetts, born November 29, 1780. They settled in Massachu-
setts and there his wife died, and he was married the second time in
1820 to Miss Sophia Russell, a native of Weatherfreld, Massachusetts,
born October 9, 1793. They settled in Chillicothe, Ross County, Ohio,
at an early day, and the father worked at his trade till about 1838. Then
he purchased a farm southeast of Chillicothe. He died March 23, 1839,
and the mother lived till December 9, 1845. J- R- passed his boyhood
days in his native county and received an excellent high school educa-
tion at Chillicothe. He devoted his time to agricultural pursuits, and
was married January 16, 1845, to Miss Ceviller Oldaker, a native of Ross
County, Ohio, born November 3, 18 18. She was a daughter of John
and Mary F. Oldaker, who were natives of Loudoun County, Virginia.
They settled in Ross County, Ohio, at an early day. Mr. and Mrs.
Bradford sold out their effects in Ross County and, with their family,
moved to Nodaway County, Missouri, in 1863, settling near what is now
Burlington Junction. He improved a good place, which he afterwards
sold and purchased his present farm in the spring of 1865, this being the
first farm settled in Clay Township. In the fall of 1881, Mr. B. was
elected county judge. Their family consists of six children : Sophia F.,
(now Mrs. Dr. J. W. Morgan), Mary O., (wife of Rev. Wm. Cowley),
Sarah E., Julia, (wife of Mortimore Evans), John E. and James B., who
married Mary M. Johnson. Mr. and Mrs. J. R. Bradford are members of
the M. E. Church, in which he is one of the trustees. He also belongs to
the I. O. O. F. fraternity.
AUGUSTUS BROCHER,
farmer, section 28, is a native of Germany. He was born February 18,
1844, and is a son of Henry Brocher. His mother died when he was
quite small, and he came with his uncle, P. J. Brocher, to America, in
1853, settling in Calumet County, Wisconsin, on a farm. In that county
he was educated. The father of Augustus came to America in 1845, and
settled in Blue Earth County, Minnesota. The subject of this sketch
enlisted in Company K, Second Regiment Minnesota Volunteer Infantry,
in March, 1864, and did service till April 15, 1865, being honorably dis-
charged. He returned to Minnesota and was married November 4, 1868,
to Miss L. C. Roy, a native of Clinton County, Missouri. She was born
May 1, 1847, and was a daughter of Lawrence and Nancy Roy, natives
CLAY TOWNSHIP. 211
of Pulaski County, Kentucky. Mr. and Mrs. B. settled on a farm near
Oregon, Holt County, Missouri, in 1870, and, in 1873, moved to where he
now resides. His farm consists of forty acres of finely improved land.
They have a family of four children : Aubra C, Curtis, Lawrence and
Orah M. They are members of the U. B. Church.
A. W. BROWNLEE,
farmer and breeder of Poland China hogs, section 19, is a native of
Washington County, Pennsylvania, and was born January 3, 1852, being
a son of William and N. M. Brownlee. The former was born in that
county in 1826, and was there raised as a farmer. His mother was also
a native of Washington County, born in 1825, and was a cousin of Hon.
John A. Logan, of Illinois. They were married in 1848, and then set-
tled on the farm where they still reside, being among the prominent
citizens of that locality. The subject of this sketch passed his youthful
days and received his education in his native county. He early began
business for himself as a farmer and breeder of fine hogs. May 6, 1873,
he married Miss Tillie Mountz, a native of Washington County, Penn-
sylvania, born July 30, 185 1. She is. a daughter of James K. and Caroline
Mountz, who were natives of Washington County. Mr. and Mrs. B., the
day after marriage, started for Holt County, Missouri, and here he rented
land till 1879, when he purchased a farm of forty acres near Oregon. In
the spring of 1882 he bought his present farm, consisting of 160 acres,
five miles southwest of Maitland. This is well improved in every par-
ticular. During the year 1881 Mr. B. raised and sold $2,200 worth of
fine hogs.
J. H. CHAMBERS,
§
proprietor of restaurant, was born in Andrew County, Missouri, April 19,
1848, and is a son of Andrew and Maria (Byer) Chambers. His father was a
native of Knox County, Ohio, and went to Buchanan County, Missouri,
in 1838. He was married in 1839 to Miss Maria Byer, a native of Phil-
adelphia, Pennsylvania, who, with her parents, moved to Missouri in
1837. Mr. and Mrs. C. settled in Andrew County, Missouri, in 1839,
ind in 1874 moved to California, where they now reside. J. H. Cham-
bers spent his boyhood days in his native county on a farm. During
he war he enlisted in Company D, Forty-third Regiment, Missouri
/olunteer Infantry, and was taken prisoner at Glasgow, Missouri.
Vfter being exchanged he did scout duty through Missouri and Kansas,
'eing mustered out at St. Louis in July, 1865. He then returned to
Andrew County, Missouri, and devoted his time to farming till 1866,
;hen he went to Colorado. Returning from there he went to Scott
ounty, Missouri, and clerked for S. O. Scofield, a merchant, for some
212 HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
eight months, after which he came back to Andrew County, Missouri.
Mr. C. married November 12, 1872, Miss B. Meick, a native of Andrew
County, Missouri, born in 1850. Her parents, John and Mary Meick,
were natives of Kentucky, and went to Platte County, Missouri, and
afterwards moved to Andrew County. Mr. and Mrs. Chambers subse-
quently settled on a farm, but sold out and came to Maitland November
•8, 1881. Their family consists of three children : Ardena, Blanche and
Polly. Mrs. C. is a member of the Christian Church.
D..J. CROCKETT,
farmer, section 36, a native of Grundy County, Missouri, was born
October 5, 1844, being a son of Eli and Sarah (Duval) Crockett, who
were natives of Kentucky. The father was born in 1803, died in 1863,
and the mother was born in 1805 and died in 1846. D. J. spent his
youth and received a good education in his native county, and in 1862
he enlisted in Company C, Twenty-third Regiment Missouri Volunteer
Infantry. He did service in Tennessee and was with Sherman on his
march to the sea, and thence to Washington, D. C, where he was mus-
tered out, June 20, 1865. He then returned to Missouri, and in August,
1869, went to Menard County, Illinois. He was married December 12,
1861, to Miss Cynthia Thompson, a native of Menard County, Illinois, born
July 20, 1850, and a daughter of Aaron and Sarah (Carson) Thompson.
Her father, a native of Cape May County, New Jersey, was born January
28, 1810, and was a son of Anson and Elizabeth (Eldridge) Thompson.
Having received a good education in youth, he went to Menard County,
Illinois, and taught school and also worked at the carpenter's trade and
clerked in a store for a number of years. In 1848 he turned his attention
to agriculture, purchasing and improving a large tract of land. He was
married September 21, 1848, to Miss Sarah J. Carson, a native of Sanga-
mon County, Illinois. Her parents were William and Cynthia (Bou-
mont) Carson. They settled in Menard County, Illinois, he being one
of the first men of the county. The mother died October 18, 1854, and
the father married for his second wife, the widow of George M. O'Banion.
The family of Mr. and Mrs. Crockett consists of five children : William
D. C, born October 14, 1872; Dillard Z., born September 12, 1874;
Aaron E., born September 2, 1876; Lulu J., born October 25, 1878, and
Olie M., born September 14, 181 1. An infant died December 12, 1880.
They are both members of the Christian Church.
M. N. DOUGHERTY
is a native of Trumbull County, Kentucky, where he was born in 1831.
His father, Col. Robert S. Dougherty, was also a native of that county,
born in 1790. He spent his boyhood days and received a good educa-
CLAY TOWNSHIP. 213
tion in his native county, and was elected State Representative eleven
times, and was State Senator for two years. During the war of 1812 he
was a Colonel. He was married to Miss Elizabeth Pearce, who was a
native of Washington County, Kentucky, born in 1800. They settled
on a large plantation in Trumbull County, Kentucky. Col. Dougherty
died from the effects of swallowing a cockle burr, in 1844. M. N. passed
his youth in Kentucky, and received a good education. When at the
age of twenty years he went to northwestern Texas, remaining a short
time, and then returned to Kentucky. Soon afterwards he visited his
uncle, Major John Dougherty, at one time Indian Agent in the Platte
Purchase in 1835, and through him a description of the Platte Purchase
was given Hon. L. F. Linn, United States Senator. M. N. Dougherty
spent some months in this country, and went back to Kentucky, and in
the spring of 1857 he visited northeastern Missouri, but finally located
at Graham, Nodaway County, Missouri. Here he entered into partner-
ship with Mr. G. C. McFadden and opened up a general stock of goods,
in the fall of 1858, building the first storehouse at Graham. He con-
tinued this occupation till the fall of 1861, when, leaving the business in
charge of his partner, he enlisted in the Confederate army under Colonel
Wilfries, and remained in service till the fall of 1863. He was in the
battles of Blue Mills, Lexington, Pea Ridge, and while in Arkansas he
. was taken sick. When able for duty the regiment was in Tennessee.
Mr. D. then started for Graham, but was captured by Jayhawkers, near
Barton, Missouri, his horse was taken from him, and he was compelled
to walk to Graham. Here he was obliged to take the oath, and now
being under bonds, had often to report at St. Joseph. Finally he pro-
cured a pass and went to Iowa, afterwards to Nebraska, and during the
years of 1863 and 1864 made two trips to Denver, Colorado. In the fall
: of 1864 he was superintendent of a freight train en route to Denver, and
the following winter he organized a train and went by South Pass to
Virginia City, Montana. There he remained till the spring of 1865,
when he went back to Kentucky. In 1869 he came to St. Joseph and
again engaged in freighting west. He passed the winter in mining,
returned to Kentucky, and devoted his time to merchandising till 1873,
when, with his mother, he went to Graham. He resumed general mer-
:handising, and in 1881 moved to Maitland. Mr. D. was married Sep-
:ember 28, 188 1, to Miss Fannie Conklin, a native of Holt County,
Missouri. She is the daughter of Charles and Mittie Conklin.
DR. T. S. DOWNEY,
clectic physician, was born in Guernsey County, Ohio, on the 13th of
fay, 1822, being the son of Walter and Mary (Clark) Downey. His
ither was a native of Indiana, born June 27, 1801, and died October 16,
214 HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
1868. His mother was born in Pennsylvania, August 29, 1801, and died
in April, 1856. They were married March 29, 1821, and then settled in
Morgan County, Ohio, moving to Guernsey County, and thence to
Shelby County, in 1852. Young Downey received an excellent educa-
tion while a resident of Ohio. He was married the first time on the
17th of March, 1842, to Miss Mary A. Scott, and then settled in Guern-
sey Connty, Ohio, moving to St. Joseph, Michigan, in 1856. In 1869 he
came to Clearmont, Nodaway County, Missouri, and located on a farm.
He was also engaged to some extent in the practice of medicine. In
1875 he moved to New Point, Holt County, Missouri. Mrs. D. died on
the 26th of March, 1876, leaving tour children : Sarah A., John F.,
Mary J., and Benjamin C. The eldest son, John F., graduated from
Hillsdale College, of Michigan, and was professor of mathamatics and
astronomy at the Pennsylvania State University for eight years, and in
the spring' of 1880 he received the same appointment at the Minnesota
State University. Dr. Downey was married the second time December
23, 1876, to Mrs. Phoebe Talbott, whose maiden name was Smart, a native
of Meigs County, Ohio, born April 12, 183 1. She is the daughter of
Joseph and Phoebe (Pierce) Smart. Her father was a native of New
Hampshire, born July 10, 1800, and died April 13, i860. Her mother
was born in Meigs County, Ohio, November 12, 1808. They were mar-
ried in 1828, and then settled in Meigs County, Ohio. Dr. Downey
located at Whig Valley in 1878 and moved to Maitland in May, 1880.
He has filled the pulpit of the M. E. Church for fifteen years, and for
the past ten years as a local preacher of the United Brethren Church.
E. C. EVERHART
is a native of Clermont County, Ohio, where he was born February 22,
1S22. His father, Titus, was a native of Virginia, born in 1772, and was
a captain under Gen. Harrison in the war of 1812. He married Nancy
Bryan, in 18 14. She was born in 1799, and was a daughter of David and
C. Everhart, a prominent citizen of Clermont County, Ohio. The father
of the subject of this sketch died in 1844 and his mother in 1879. D. C.
spent his boyhood days, and received a good education, in his native
county. When quite young he learned the carpenter's trade. He has
made three trips to California, being very successful in his undertakings
as a miner. The trips were made in 1850, 1853, and the third one in
1857. Mr. E. has been married six times ; first, January 15, 1844, to Miss
Harriet H. Ely, a native of Clermont County, Ohio, born December 21,
1824. She died September 28, 185 1, leaving one son, William E., born
January 24, 1849. He is now a merchant at Maitland, Missouri. His
second marriage occurred January 1, 1852, to Miss Mary T. Gest, a native
of the same county, born January 7, 1826. She died April 27, 1853, leav-
CLAY TOWNSHIP. 21 5
ing one son, Charles R., now a farmer in this township. December 7,
1853, he was married the third time, to Miss Mary T. Hulick, a native
of the same county, born August 26, 1830. Her death occurred June 5,
1861. Two daughters survive : Carrie B., wife of W. E. Schoole, a farmer
in the township, and Dollie B., wife of Warren W. Pegg, who is editor of
the Clermont Courier, in Clermont County, Ohio. Mr. Everhart's fourth
marriage was to Miss Chloe A. Debolt, a native of Hamilton County,
Ohio, born January 14, 1835. She died June 26, 1868. The fifth mar-
riage was October 6, 1870, when Miss Lina A. Dunseth, a native of Ham-
ilton County, Ohio, became his wife. She was born May 16, 1838, and
died April 30, 1873. Mr. E. was married the sixth time, in 1881, to Mrs:
Matilda Harell, a native of Shelby County, Indiana. She had previously
been married three times and has one son, L. B. Binson, now a grain
merchant at Humboldt, Nebraska. D. C. Everhart has been a contractor
and liveryman at Batava, Ohio, and also farmed for many years, and
during the time he lived in Hamilton County, Ohio, was interested in the
hotel business. For many years he has been dealing in real estate, in
Missouri and Ohio. Three of his children are settled in Holt County,
Missouri, and when Maitland was founded he invested largely in lots.
Since then his time has been devoted to the improvement of his land.
He built the Valley Hotel, which was the first one erected in the town.
Mr. E. has been a Mason in good standing since 1849.
CHARLES R. EVERHART,
farmer and stock grower, section 4, is a native of Clermont County, Ohio,
was born in 1853, and is a son of D. C. and Mary (Gest) Everhart.
Charles was raised and educated in his native county, and in 1873, took
a trip to California, remaining at San Francisco for some three months.
He afterwards went to Boise City and devoted his time to the dairy
business for two years, after which he came to Holt County, Missouri.
Mr. E. was married in 1875, to Miss Mary E. Schoole, a native of Holt
County, Missouri, born December 19, 1855. She was a daughter of
Charles H. and M. W. (King) Schoole. They have three children :
Gracie, Blanche and Eva.
D. A. GELVIN
is a member of one of the largest live stock firms in Northwest Missouri.
His farm consists of 573 acres of fine, fertile soil, situated along the Nod-
away River, his residence being in section 16. Mr. G. is a native of
Franklin County, Pennsylvania, where he was born August 4, 1850, and
was a son of James and Catharine Gelvin. His father was born and
raised in Franklin County, Pennsylvania, and began dealing in stock
ivhen but a mere boy. He soon became noted for his superior judg-
2l6 HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
ment in the selection of a horse, and for many years purchased large
droves of these animals, in Pennsylvania and Ohio, taking them to
Boston. At other times he would buy cattle and hogs in Pennsylvania
and Ohio and take them to the markets of Baltimore and Philadelphia.
After many years of successful business life he retired from active labor.
He was first married in 1833, to Miss Mary Zimmerman, who died in
1844. He was married the second time in 1846, to Miss Catharine Crider,
a native of Franklin County, Pennsylvania, born in 181 5. The senior
Gelvin died in February, 1873, but his widow still resides at the old
homestead. D. A. spent his boyhood in his native county, receiving a
good education, and when at the age of twenty years he came west and
located in Holt County, Missouri. He worked by the month till the
spring of 1871, and during that year and the one following, he farmed.
In February, 1873, he returned to Pennsylvania on account of his father's
sickness, and the succeeding summer worked by the month. The next
fall he again came to Holt County, and devoted his time to farming.
Mr. G. was married November 19, 1874, to Miss Lizzie Hershner, a
native of Crawford County, Ohio, born February 3, 1850, and a daughter
of Andrew and Mary (Pearce) Hershner. Her father, who was born in
1821, in Wayne County, Pennsylvania, moved with his parents to Craw-
ford County, Ohio. Her mother was a native of Maryland, and with her
parents moved to Crawford County, Ohio. After being married they
settled in that county, and in 1866, came to Holt County, Missouri, where
they now reside. Mr. and Mrs. Gelvin settled on eighty acres of land
in Clay Township, in section 24, township 62, range 38, and in 1876 he
entered into the live stock business, which has proved to be a grand
success. He first bought on commission, but soon established an excel-
lent reputation as a buyer, and entered into a partnership with E. F.
Weller. He afterwards became interested in a store, finally sold out and
entered into partnership with William Maurer. They are now known
as about the heaviest shippers in Northwest Missouri. Mr. G. has as
good a stock farm as there is in Holt County. His family consists of
three daughters : Elsie D., born January 11, 1876; Emma L., born
August 21, 1878, and Cora May, born October 9, 1880.
J. D. GOODPASTURE,
farmer, section 36, was a son of Rev. A. H. and Dulcina B. Goodpasture.
His father, a native of Overton County, Tennessee, was born June 21,
1812, he being a son of John and Margery Goodpasture, natives of Vir-
ginia. John built the first court house at Richmond, Virginia. Rev. A.
H. G. was the sixth child of a family of fourteen children. He spent his
boyhood days and received a good common schooling in his native
county, and when twenty-one years of age began life as a farmer. In
CLAY TOWNSHIP. 217
1833, he went to Central Alabama, and while en route, stopped for a
time and attended a camp meeting. There he became converted, and
soon resolved to work in the Christian cause. He began studying for
the ministry, and was licensed to preach in April, 1835, by the Talladega
Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. He soon com-
menced preaching at Mardisville, Alabama, and after laboring for
twenty-five months, returned to his native place. In 1836, he went to
Sangamon County, Illinois, and in that state was circuit preacher some
eighteen months. Going again to Alabama, he remained till 1842, when
he went to Illinois and located in Menard County, where he has since
labored. He was married January 10, 1843, to Dulcina B. Williams, a
native of Bath County, Kentucky, born March 19, 1819. She was a
daughter of James and Hannah (Moffin) Williams. Rev. A. H. Good-
pasture and wife afterward settled at Petersburgh, Menard County, Illi-
nois, where they remained till 1850, and then purchased land where
they now reside. J. D. was born in Petersburgh, Menard County, Illi-
nois, May 9, 1846, and when at the age of four years, with his parents,
he located on a farm. He received a good common education, and dur-
ing the years of 1863 and 1864 attended the North Sangamon Academy.
In 1865 he took a course of study at the Normal School, at Lincoln, Illi-
nois, afterward returned home and was married September 1, 1868, to
Miss Frances H. O'Banion, a native of Morgan County, Illinois. She
was born November 21, 1848, and was educated at Forest Hill and
Jacksonville Seminaries. Her father, George M., was a native of Mor-
gan County, Illinois, born September 15, 1827, and was a son of Evin
and Margaret (Hall) O'Banion. Her mother, formerly Amanda M.
Flinn, was from the same county, born September 3, 1827. She was a
daughter of Z. W. and Elizabeth (Hill) Flinn. George M. and Amanda
O'Banion were married February 10, 1848, and then settled in Morgan
County, Illinois, on a farm, moving to Cass County. Illinois, in 1850,
and back to Morgan County in 1852. Here George died September 15,
1853, and his wife was married the second time to Aaron Thompson, a
native of Cape May County, New Jersey. He was born January 28,
1810, being a son of Anson and Elizabeth (Eldridge) Thompson. Hav-
ing received a good education, he went to Menard County, Illinois, in
1837, taught school and worked at the carpenters' trade, and also clerked
in a store for a number of years. In 1848 he turned his attention to
agricultural pursuits, purchasing and improving a large farm. He was
married September 21, 1848, to Miss Sarah J. Carson, a native of San-
gamon County, Illinois, born in 1827, and a daughter of William and
Cynthia (Boumont) Carson. She died October 19, 1854. After their
marriage Mr. and Mrs. J. D. Goodpasture settled in Morgan County,
Illinois, on a farm and remained till September, 1869, when they came
to Holt County, Missouri. Here he purchased his present farm consist-
218 HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
ing of 500 acres of improved land, with excellent buildings, good
orchards, etc. They have a family of six children : Edwin R., born
July 26, 1869; Abraham H., born May 20, 1871 ; Amanda D., born
January 17, 1873 ! Mary H., born July 31, 1875 ; George B., born Octo-
ber 5, 1877, and Vianna J., born August 31, [881. They are both mem-
bers of the M. E. Church.
W. A. GRAHAM,
of the firm of Graham & Frame, dealers in dry goods, notions, clothing,
hats, boots, shoes, queensware, etc., was born in Guernsey County,
Ohio, on the 22d of October, 1858, being the son of Rev. F. H. and
Rebecca A. (Irvin) Graham. His father was a native of Baltimore
County, Maryland, born in 1823, and his mother was born in the same
county in September, 1827. They were married in 1845 ar>d settled in
Belmont County, Ohio, and subsequently moved to Rockford County,
Indiana. They afterwards returned to Guernsey County, Ohio, and in
1865 emigrated to Harrison County, Missouri, settling on a farm. There
they remained till 1869, when they moved to Oregon, Holt County, and
in 1871 to Rock Port, Atchison County. In 1872, Fillmore, Andrew
County, became their home, and in 1873 they went to Macon City.
Here the father died on the 25th of July of that year. William, with
his mother, then returned to Oregon, Holt County, in the fall of 1875.
During youth he received good educational advantages, thereby becom-
ing familiarized with the primary business rules, so important in the
life of every successful business man. From 1876 till 1879 he was
deputy postmaster and telegraph operator at Oregon. In March, 1879,
he entered the employ of Woolworth & Colt, at St. Joseph, as salesman,
with whom he remained till July, 1880, when he formed a partnership
with Mr. Albert Frame, opening a general stock at Maitland. Mr.
Graham owns the building which they occupy. He found a wife in the
person of Miss Grace B. King, to whom he was married December 31,
1880. She was a native of Fayette County, Ohio, born October 15,
1858, and was the daughter of Dr. R. and Rachel (O'Neil) King. Mr.
G. is a member of the A. O. U. W., belonging to lodge No. 202. He
and his wife are members of the M. E. Church.
EDWARD L. HART
was born on the 24th of November, 1856, in Holt County, Missouri, and
was the son of Rev. David and Martha E. (Higley) Hart. The former
was a native of Yorkshire, England, and was born November 21, 182 1,
his parents being Francis and Susan (Speck) Hart. David Hart was
early left an orphan, and when quite young he learned the machinist's
trade. When twenty-one years of age he entered the ministry. In 1852
CLAY TOWNSHIP. 219
he emigrated to America, locating at Jacksonville, Illinois, where he was
engaged in the carriage business, till 1854, after which he came to Whig
Valley, Holt County. There he remained till the summer of 1855, when
he moved to Nebraska. The winter following he returned and, on the
12th of December, 1855, was married to Miss Martha E. Higley, a native
of Hartford, Connecticut, born June 9, 18 19. She was a daughter of
Thomas Higley, a native of Hartford, Connecticut. He was born in 1785
and was married to Miss Ann Gaylord, a native of Windsor, Connecticut,
born in 1788. In 1830 they moved to North Carolina, and in 1838 to
Indiana, coming to Clay Township, Holt County, Missouri, in 1845, and
being among the very first settlers here. Thomas Higley died in 1853,
and Ann G. Higley in 1861. Rev. David Hart and his wife finally located
in Nebraska, and in 1869 returned to Holt County. In 1872 they again
went to Nebraska, and in 1878 to Salt Lake City, in order to gain, if pos-
sible, a change for the better in Mr. H.'s health. He died there January
14, 1879. Mrs. Hart then returned to Nebraska, where Edward L. had
been reared and educated. He attended for some time the State Uni-
versity, and after leaving this institution returned with his mother to
Holt County and settled on the old homestead, where they now reside.
December 14, 1881, Mr. Hart was appointed Justice of the Peace, and
discharged his duties faithfully and creditably.
ALLEN HAYZLETT,
farmer, section 14, was born in Hancock County, Indiana, May 18, 1838,
and is a son of James and Angeline (Taylor) Hayzlett. His father was
a native of Virginia, and his mother of Ohio. With their parents they
had moved to Hancock County, Indiana, where they married and set-
tled. James Hayzlett died in 1859. The subject of this sketch spent his
boyhood days and received a good education in his native state, com-
mencing life for himself as a farmer when at the age of twenty years. In
i860 he went to Kansas and farmed till April, 1862, when he enlisted in
Company B, Twelfth Kansas Volunteer Cavalry, and was at the battle
of Independence. He was wounded four times, and oa August 25, 1862,
was honorably discharged. Mr. H. returned to his farm in Kansas, and
remained till 1864, when he went to his native county in Indiana. In
1866, with his mother, he moved to Hughes Township, Nodaway County,
Missouri, purchasing a farm, which he sold in 1876, and then moved to
Holt County, Missouri. There he bought his present farm of 120 acres
of land, now well improved. He was married November 25, 1877, to
Miss Amanda Fountain, a daughter of L. and Martha Fountain. The
former was born October 9, 1830, and the latter October 17, 1829. They
had gone to Shelby County, Indiana, with their parents when they were
mere children. Their marriage occurred October 16, 1855, after which
■
22 O HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
they settled in that county, and moved to Minnesota in 1864, and in 1871
to Holt County, Missouri. They now reside near Oregon.
JAMES M. KENYON,
dealer in hardware, farm implements, etc., is a native of Andrew County,
Missouri, where he was born April 11, 1840, being a son of Thompson
and India Ann (Griffith) Kenyon.' His father was born in Ohio in 18 10,
and his mother is a native of Bourbon County, Kentucky, born in 1811.
After being married they settled in Ohio, and in 1838 moved to Andrew
County, Missouri, purchasing a farm of 240 acres of choice land. The
senior Kenyon died in 1844. James M. passed his youthful days and
received his education in his native county. After his father's death he
took charge of the farm, though but seventeen years of age. In 1862 he
went to Colorado, and devoted his time to mining and freighting, and
during the years of 1868 and 1869 he was engaged in the grocery bus-
ness at Warsatch, Colorado. Upon selling out he returned to the old
homestead in Andrew County. Mr. K. was married November 11, 1869,
to Miss Emily Jackson, a native of Guernsey County, Ohio, born on the
17th of July, 1848. She is the daughter of Benjamin and Sinie Jackson,,
the former a native of Pennsylvania, born October 6, 1799, and her
mother, a native of Belmont County, Ohio, born July 19, 1807. They
were married December 15, 1830, and then settled in Belmont County,
Ohio, and in 1867 moved to Andrew County, Missouri, and in 1880 to
Maryville. After the return of Mr. Kenyon from Colorado, he devoted
his time to the breeding of Short Horn cattle, till 1877, when, with John
W. Jones, of Clinton County, he closed out the entire herd at St Joseph,
Missouri. In 1877 and 1878 he was at Deadwood, and in July 1880, he
settled at Maitland, embarking in the dry goods trade, but sold out dur-
ing that fall and purchased his present stock of Paschal & Spencer. He
is a Mason in good standing. Mrs. K. is a member of the Presbyterian
Church. Their family consists of Clyde M., born April 2, 1871, and Mary
E., born September 13, 1876.
A. H. KIDD,
merchant, at Maitland, was born in Petersboro' County, Canada, Feb-
ruary 24, 1850, and was a son of Robert and Elizabeth (Johns) Kidd.
His father is a native of Lanark County, Canada, and when but a mere
boy moved with his parents to Petersboro County and settled on a farm.
His mother is a native of England, and went to Canada with her parents-
when at the age of twelve years. After they were married they settled
on the farm where they still reside, and are now enjoying good health.
A. H. passed his boyhood days and received a good education in his
native county. He afterwards spent some two years at a grammar
CLAY TOWNSHIP. 221
school, and devoted the next two years in teaching. In 1869 he grad-
uated at the New London Commercial College. He then returned to
the home of his parents and assisted on the farm. In the spring of 1871
he immigrated to the Unites States, locating in Iowa. He taught school
in the counties of Union, Adams and Taylor. He was married April 28,
1877, to Miss E. M. Kater, a native of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, born
May 23, 1838. Her father was James Kater, Esq., a native of Scotland,
who, after being married, came to America, in 1828. He was a weaver
by trade, and located at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and assisted his son
in a market. Mr. and Mrs. A. H. Kidd subsequently settled in Adams
County, Iowa, on a farm some nine miles from Creston, purchasing and
improving 160 acres of land. After some four years he sold out and
came to Maitland and opened a store, where he is now doing a success-
ful business. Both he and his wife are members of the Christian Church,
and Mr. K. is assistant superintendent of the Sabbath school.
CHARLES A. LEACH,
freight agent and telegraph operator, was born May 12, 1852, in Cayuga
County, New York, being a son of C. and J. H. Leach, who, after their
marriage, moved to Nodaway County, Missouri, in 1871, and settled on
a farm six miles north of Maryville. Charles A. spent his boyhood days
in his native county. His education was a very liberal one, and was
received at OakwoOd Seminary, now known as Friends' University, in
Cayuga County, New York. He was a graduate from this institution in
1870, and then came west with his parents, assisting them on the farm
till the summer of 1873. At that time he entered the office of the Kan-
sas City, St. Joseph & Council Bluffs Railroad at Maryville, Missouri.
His qualities as a student and business man were soon observed by the
company, and August 12, 1874, he was placed in charge of the Bigelow
office, and on the main line of the Kansas City, St. Joseph and Council
Bluffs. Here he became known as a skilled and careful operator, and
August I, 1880, he assumed charge of the duties of the office at Mait-
land. Mr. Leach is possessed of superior social powers and is known
to be quite a humorist. Miss Rena R. Courier became his wife on
February 10, 1877, and by this union they have two children, a bright
boy, Guy C, born August 27, 1878, and a charming daughter, Mary,
born October 12, 1880. Mrs. L. is a member of the M. E. Church. Mr.
Leach belongs to lodge No. 202 of the A. O. U. W.
G. R. McINTYRE,
farmer, section 23, is a native of Holt County, Missouri, and was born
May 12, 1849. His father, Judge George Mclntyre, a native of Butler
County, Ohio, moved with his parents to Parke County, Indiana, and
222 HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
there he was married to Miss Polly Milleman, a native of New York,
She had gone with her parents to Michigan, and afterwards to Parke
County, Indiana. The Judge and his wife settled in Holt County, Mis-
souri, and there his wife died October 22, 1872. G. R. Mclntyre spent
his boyhood days in his native county, and received an excellent educa-
tion. He taught school for a number of winters, and was married January
31, 1872, to Miss Louisa A. Russell, a native of Holt County, Missouri,
born August 2, 1853. She was a daughter of Judge R. H. and Mary E.
Russell. The former was born in Clarke County, Ohio, April 7, 1818,
and in 1836 left Ohio and resided in Lafayette, Indiana, and in the spring
of 1836 he came to the Platte Purchase. In 1841 he married Mary E.
Crowley, who died in i860. In 1861 he was married to Susan Bishop.
Mrs. Mclntyre was raised by her step-mother, and was educated in Holt
County. Mr. and Mrs. Mel. finally settled on their present farm. They
have been blessed with three children: Lee, born October 14, 1873;
Edwin, born November 6, 1875, and D. G., December 21, 1877.
C. D. MESSINGER,
hardware dealer, may be numbered among the most successful business
men of Maitland. He is a native of Clinton County, Missouri, and was
born in 1856. His parents were Chester and Elizabeth (Riley) Messin-
ger, the former a native of New Hampshire, and the latter of Kentucky.
She was a sister of Hon. J. T. Riley, of Buchanan County, Missouri.
The father and mother of C. D. died when he was but a mere boy, and
his early days were spent in agricultural pursuits, the money thus earned
through the summer months being spent in procuring an education.
When at the age of eighteen years he determined, with that spirit of
enterprise which has characterized his course through life, to enter the
mercantile business. He began in the hardware establishment of J. H.
Robison, of St. Joseph, and discharged his duties creditably and to the
satisfaction of his employer. Mr. MessingeY subsequently became
employed by Shultz & Hosea, hardware and cutlery manufacturers, and
his ability and strict attention to business, soon achieved for him an
enviable reputation as a salesman. In June, 1880, he attended the sale
of lots at the newly located town of Maitland, purchasing choice corner
lots. Soon after he erected a business house, and is now known through-
out the Nodaway Valley as a leading hardware merchant. He is a
Mason in good standing, and is also a member of the Baptist Church.
J. T. MOORE,
merchant, was born in Menard County, Illinois, on October 29, 1850, and
is a son of Samuel and Selena (Williams) Moore. His father was a native
CLAY TOWNSHIP. 223
of Fleming County and his mother of Green County, Kentucky. They
both moved to Illinois in 1823, with their parents, and there they were
married, afterwards settling on a farm. J. T. passed his youthful days
and received his education in his native county. He was married Octo-
ber 29, 1873, to Miss Catharine McNeal, a native of Menard County, Illi-
nois, and a daughter of John and Eliza (Short) McNeal. After marriage
Mr. and Mrs. Moore settled at the old homestead, and in 1880 he disposed
of his entire effects and moved to Holt County, Missouri. He located
some four miles northwest of Maitland, improved a farm of eighty acres,
but sold out and moved to Maitland, in March, 188 1. February 8, 1882,
in connection with Mr. J. K. Seaman, he entered the grocery business.
Mr. and Mrs. Moore have a family of two children, Samuel and Jessie B.
Mr. M. is a member of the A. O. U. W., belonging to Lodge No. 202.
J. J. MOULTON,
is the publisher and proprietor of the Maitland Independent, a newsy
and interesting sheet, published weekly, and which, under its present
able management, has built up a good circulation. Mr. Moulton is a
native of Tazwell County, Illinois, and was born on a farm four miles
east of Fort Clark (now Peoria) on August 15, 1833. The days of his
youth were spent in assisting his father on the farm, his evenings being
devoted to study. When eighteen years of age he purchased an outfit,
and from that time until he was twenty-two years old, he followed prairie
breaking with an ox team. In 1855, he entered a college in his native
county, prosecuting his studies for some four years. In 1861, he enlisted
in Company K, Eleventh Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and was placed on
guard duty at Bird's Point, being honorably discharged in the August
following. On the 2d of the same month, Mr. Moulton re-enlisted in the
Sixteenth United States Infantry, receiving his discharge on October 2,.
1864. Returning to Illinois, he was occupied in teaching school till the
fall of 1867, when he went to Atchison County, Missouri, locating on a
farm. In 1878, he purchased the Riverton Enterprise. A few months
later he moved to Clarinda, Iowa, where he established the Nodaway
Chief. In February, 1881, he sold out and came to Maitland, Holt County,
Missouri, where he has since continued to edit one of the best papers of
the county. Mr. Moulton was married April 20, 1865, to MissRoxie A.
Mette, a native of Wood County, Illinois. She was born in 1844. They
have one child, Ernest, born October 12, 1866.
D. C. PARKS,
druggist, a native of Andrew County, Missouri, was born January 16,.
1855, being a son of John M. and Frances (Thomas) Parks. His father
was born and raised in Kentucky, and in 1852 came to Missouri, locating
near Fillmore, Andrew County. His mother was a native of Clay
224 HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
County, Missouri. They settled on a farm after their marriage, where
they still reside. The subject of this sketch spent his boyhood days in
his native county till he abandoned tilling the soil, in order to fit him-
self for a teacher. Many long evenings were spent in study, and two
years of his younger life were passed as professor of penmanship.
With a mind filled with learning and a future bright and promising, he
taught school some four years, and in 1881 formed a partnership with a
Mr. Roberts. They opened a drug store at Maitland, and are now
doing a good business. Mr. Parks was married to Miss Mary Kee,
December 29, 1881. She was a daughter of William and Elizabeth Kee,
was born in 1858, and was raised in Andrew County, Missouri. She is
a member of the M. E. Church, and Mr. P. belongs to the I. O. O. F.
fraternity.
WILLIAM H. PATTERSON,
farmer and breeder of Clydesdale horses, mules and Jersey and Poland
China hogs, resides in section 25. Mr. P. is a native of Andrew County,
Missouri, was born January 14, 1841, and is a son of Henry and C. S.
Patterson. His father was born in Ireland, January 14, 18 14, and came
to America in 1834, landing at New York City. He went to Mobile,
Alabama, remained one winter, thence to St. Louis, and finally located
at Savannah, Andrew County, Missouri, in the spring of 1835, being one
of the twelve who first located in that county. He was married in 1840,
to Miss C. S. Cobb, a native of Montgomery County, Kentucky. She,
with her parents, moved to Missouri at an early day. Mr. and Mrs.
Henry Patterson settled on a farm near Savannah, and in 1846 moved
into the town, where Mr. P. now resides, his wife having died in Novem-
ber, 1862. W. H. spent his boyhood days in his native county, and
received a good education. When twenty years of age he started out
for himself as a farmer, and during the war freighted in Colorado till
1866. He then returned to Andrew County, and in March, 1866, he was
married to Miss Eliza J. Cobb, a native of Andrew County, Missouri.
She was a daughter of G. W. and Mary Cobb, the former a native of
Kentucky, and the latter of Virginia. With her parents she moved to
Andrew County, Missouri, where she was married. William H. Patter-
son and wife settled on Hackberry Ridge, in Andrew County, and lived
there till 1867, when he moved to Holt County, locating some four miles
east of Oregon. In 1870 he moved on the farm where he now resides.
Their family consists of six children, five boys and one girl : Louis C,
Edward H., Hallie A., William L., George H. and Morie O.
A. S. PEARCE,
farmer, section 11, was born in Baltimore County, Maryland, May 10,
1838, and was a son of William and Elizabeth Pearce, who were also
CLAY TOWNSHIP. 225
natives of the same county. The subject of this sketch passed his
younger days in his native county, and when at the age of fourteen years
with his parents he moved to Butler County, Ohio, where they settled
on a farm. In 1854 he moved to Illinois, and here he enlisted in the
Second Illinois Light Artillery, in 1862, and did service through many
hard fought battles, among which was the engagement at Fort Donel-
son. He was promoted to orderly sergeant for bravery, and was finally
mustered out. Soon after he came to Holt County, Missouri, and in
1865 was married to Miss Julia Kunkel, a native of Holt County, Mis-
souri, born November 28, 1848. By this union they have a family of
eight children : Willie, Schuyler, Myrtle, Alfretta, Dellie, Abraham,
Perte and Homer. They have lost one, Rowena. Mr. Pearce's farm con-
sists of 160 acres of fine land, well improved, including good buildings
and orchard.
J. E. PHILLIPS,
lumberman, is a native of Watertown, Jefferson County, New York,
and was born May 13, 1 85 1 , being a son of William N. and Lucy J.
Phillips. The former was born in Massachusetts, and, in 1846, was mar-
ried to Miss Lucy J. Tayor, a native of Saratoga County, New York.
They afterwards settled at Watertown, and, in 1854, moved to Wayne,
DuPage County, Illinois, locating on a farm. Some two years after, Mr.
P. entered the mercantile business at Wayne, and here Mrs. Lucy Phil-
lips died, in 1858, leaving seven children. The father was married a
second time, to Miss Mary Black, a native of Rockport, New York.
She had moved to Illinois with her parents at an early day. Her death
occurred in 1864, at the age of fifteen years. J. E. Phillips then went to
live with a'n uncle, Elliott Tayor, at Pontiac, Oakland County, Michigan.
In 1874, he graduated from the High School, and in 1876 was graduated
from the law department of the State University at Ann Arbor, Mich-
igan. He practiced at the bar of Chicago and Wheaton, Illinois, till
January, 1880, when, his health having failed, he entered the employ of
Howell & Bros., at Maryville, Missouri. Soon after he took charge of
their lumber yard at Graham, and in June of the same year came to
Maitland. He was one of the pioneers of the town, and made some of
the first improvements. Mr. P. was married June 7, 1876, to Miss Emily
Sayer, a native of Wayne, DuPage County, Illinois, born August 8, 1853.
She was a daughter of Henry V. and Phebe E. (Moffatt) Sayer, who
were natives of New York. They settled in DuPage County, Illinois at
an early day. Mr. and Mrs. P. have one child, Mary Lucy. They are
both members of the Congregational Church. Mr. Phillips is chairman
of the town board, a school trustee, and is superintendent of the Sunday
School.
15
226 HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
B. W. ROSS,
physician and surgeon, though young in years, deserves to be classed
with the old practitioners of Holt and Nodaway Counties. He is a native
of Bainbridge, Ross County, Ohio, and was born September 22, 1852. He
enjoyed the best advantages for an education that Ohio could afford,
and always having had a taste for the medical profession, in 1871, he
commenced reading with Dr. Hughey, of Bainbridge, and continued
under his tutorship for one year, when, on account of poor health, he was
obliged to abandon his studies. Believing that the western climate
would be beneficial, he came to Holt County, Missouri, in 1874, his
parents having moved to that county some two years previous. While
residing with his parents, and assisting on the farm, he regained his
health, and resumed the study of medicine. He attended lectures in
1879-80, and graduated from the Keokuk Medical College, of Keokuk,
Iowa. In [880 he began the practice of his profession at Mound City,
Holt County, Missouri, and remained there until the spring of 1881,
when he came to Graham, and immediately engaged in following his
chosen profession. Later, Dr. Ross removed to Maitland and became
occupied in the drug business, in which he has obtained a large and
lucrative patronage. His studious habits and close attention to his call-
ing, combined with excellent work, have placed him in the front rank
among members of his profession. The doctor is a member of Lodge
No. 189, of the I. O. O. F., of Graham. He was united in marriage on
the 6th of January, 188 1, to Miss Mary E. Harmon, a daughter of Jacob
Harmon, a native of Brown County, Kansas, born on the 4th day of
March, 1858.
MAJOR EB. ROZELL,
farmer, section 31, was born in Ross County, Ohio, April 29, 1837, and
is a son of Eben and Esther Rozell, who were natives of New York.
The father was born in 1772, and went to Ross County, Ohio, in 1805.
He died in March, 1846, after having served in the war of 1812 under
Colonel McDonald. The mother of Eb. Rozell was born in 1793. They
married in 1813, and then settled in Ross County, Ohio, where they had
purchased a large tract of land, and improved it. Mrs. Rozell still
resides at the old homestead. The subject of this memoir spent his
boyhood days and received an excellent education in his native county.
During the time from 1857 to 1858 he taught school, but afterwards
returned to the farm and devoted his time to agricultural pursuits. He
was married September 13, i860, to Miss Mary Ross, a native of Ross
County, Ohio, born April 22, 1843, and is a daughter of George and
Abbie (Meighen) Ross, natives of Pennsylvania. In May, 1861, Mr.
Rozell enlisted in the Sixty-third Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was
CLAY TCfWNSHII'. 227
wounded at the battle of Corinth, October 4, 1863, after which he was
discharged. He returned to Ross County, Ohio, and in the spring of
1864 assisted in organizing the One Hundred and Forty-ninth Regiment
Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and entered the field as major of his regi-
ment. He served in Virginia with the army of the Potomac till Octo-
ber, 1864, when he was wounded in the shoulder and left lung. He was
captured in the Shenandoah Valley, and for several weeks was held as
prisoner in Libby Prison, at Richmond. He was paroled and mustered
out at Washington, D. C, September 20, 1864. Mr. R. returned to Ross
County, Ohio, and the following spring made a visit to Burlington
Junction, Nodaway County, Missouri. In 1870 he disposed of his
effects in Ross County, and moved to Andrew County, Missouri, and in
187 1 came to Holt County, Missouri, settling where he now resides. In
1874 he was elected justice of the peace. The family of Mr. and Mrs.
Rozell consists of four children : Olie, Frank, Albert and Walter.
They are both members of the M. E. Church.
H. H. SEELEY,
of the firm of Finney, Williams & Co., lumber dealers, is a native of
Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, and was born April 23, 1846. His
father, R. Seeley, was born in the state of Connecticut, in 1824, and with
his parents moved to Rochester, New York, and in 1844 he went to
Pennsylvania. His parents later moved to Wisconsin. Roswell taught
school for some time, and was afterwards married to Isabella Crawford,
a native of Pennsylvania, born in 1825. They settled in Pennsylvania,
and in 1848 moved to St. Louis, and to Illinois in 185 1. Leavenworth,
Kansas, became their home in i860, and in 1867 the father died, and in
1882 the mother followed. H. H. accompanied his parents on their dif-
ferent moves, and received a good education at Leavenworth. He
learned the carpenter trade and worked in Leavenworth till 1874, when
he went to Barnard, Nodaway County, Missouri, and opened a lumber
yard. This he sold to a Mr. Williams, and formed a company styled
Finney, Williams & Co., and located at Maitland in October, 188 1. Mr.
S. was married July 4, 1870, to Miss Etta D. Sayre, a native of Oneida
County, New York, born January 15, 1849. She is the daughter of F. R.
and L. (Chapman) Sayre, her father a native of New York, was born in
1802, and her mother, a native of New York, was born in 1806. After
they were married they settled in New York, and in i860 moved to
Iowa. Mr. and Mrs. Seeley are both members of the Baptist Church.
He belongs to Lodge 204, A. O. U. W. Their family consists of six
children living : F. R., Charles S., George A., W. G., L. I. and I. G. One
daughter, Alice R., is deceased.
228 HISTORY OF« HOLT COUNTY.
N. S. SHULL,
farmer, section 29, was born in North Carolina, April 15, 1840. His
parents, James and Elizabeth Shull, were both natives of the same state.
N. S. Spent his boyhood days and received a good education in North
Carolina. During the late rebellion he served the entire time in the
Confederate army. In 1869 he went to Nodaway County, Missouri, and
was married April 15, 1875, to Miss Mary Gilmore, a native of Buchanan
County, Missouri. After this they settled in Holt County, Missouri.
They have a family consisting of four children : Maggie L., William H.,
Ernest E. and Minnie B. Mrs. S. is a member of the Christian Church.
LOUIS C. SMOCK,
grocer. The subject of this sketch, a native of Nodaway County, Mis-
souri, was born on the 4th of May, 1853, and is the son of James and
Martha (Linville) Smock. His father was born in Bartholomew County,
Indiana, in 1819, and died December 22, 1864. His mother was a native
of Jackson County, Missouri. Louis passed his boyhood days and
received his education in Holt County, Missouri. In 1874, he spent the
most ot the time in Indiana, but after returning devoted his time to
farming till October, 1881. He then entered the grocery business at
Maitland, and as a merchant is very successful. Mr. Smock was mar-
ried on the 5th of August, 1875, to Miss L. Murphy, a native of Daviess
County, Missouri, born on the 9th of March, 1859. Her father was John
Murphy, Esq. Mr. and Mrs. S. have by this union three children :
Bathana B., born April 7, 1877; Thomas L., born December 9, 1879;
Marion J., born January 4, 188 1. Mr. Smock is a Mason in good stand-
ing. His farm consists of 60 acres of fine land well improved.
JOSEPH R. STONE,
dealer in harness, saddles, trunks, valises, etc., is a native of Atchison
County, Missouri. He was born January 30, 1859, ancl is a son of J. R.
and M. S. (White) Stone, who settled in Atchison County, Missouri, in
1857. Joseph, with his parents, moved to Worth County, in i860, and
remained till 1864, then going to St. Joseph, where he lived until 1865,
thence to Plattsville, Iowa, and in 1866 he located at Graham. Here his
father carried on the harness and saddle business till 1879, when h<
moved to Burlington Junction. Joseph received a good education at
Graham, and when but a boy began working at the harness business,
and after his father's removal he opened a shop in Graham and did
good business there. November 10, 1880, he came to Maitland and no>
commands a good trade, which he deserves. Mr. Stone married Miss
Lydia Eberlin, a native of Wisconsin, born August 7, 1861. She is the
CLAY TOWNSHIP. 229
daughtei of Thiebant and Mary E. (Hamm) Eberlin. Her lather is a
native of Germany, born October 14, 1826. Her mother was born in
France, October 15, 1825. They were married April 25, 1853. After
their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Stone settled at Maitland. He is a member
of Hesperian Lodge, No. 189, I. O. O. F., and Lodge No. 202, A. O. U. W.
WICKLIFF TAYLOR
is one of the successful merchants of Maitland. He was born in New
Paris, Preble County, Ohio, being the son of Dr. J. C. and Nancy Taylor.
His father is a native of Fleming County, Kentucky, born in 1819, and
his mother of Virginia, born in 1818. Dr. J. C. and Nancy Taylor were
married in 1838, after which they settled in Preble County, Ohio, and in
1858 moved to Indiana. Here Mrs. Taylor died, and the doctor was
married the second time, and, in 1859, came to Nodaway County, Mis-
souri, and in i860 to Forest City, Holt County. He was afterwards in
the mercantile business at Graham for seven years, and also at Fillmore
ana Savannah. He sold out at Maryville in 1874, then moved to Topeka,
Kansas, where he now resides. Wickliff established a store at Graham,
and conducted the business under the firm name of Taylor & Bros., soon
after the father's removal to Kansas, and still retains his interest. He
is also the junior member of the firm of M. N. Dougherty & Co., who
are doing a general merchandise business in this city. Mr. T. was mar-
ried July 27, 1881, to Miss Belle Turnure, a native of Boone County,
Illinois, and a daughter of E. W. and Emily Turnure. Her father, a
native of New York, was born in 1827, and died in July, 1880. Her
mother was born in 1832, in New York, and is still living. They were
married in 1853, after which they settled in Boone County, and in 1863,
went to Mitchell County, Iowa, and to Nodaway County, Missouri, in
1865. They located near Bridgewater, and in 1871 went to Maryville,
and to Graham in 1877.
L. M. THOMPSON,
farmer, section 36, is a native of Menard County, Illinois, where he was
born, May 27, 1852, and is a son of Aaron and Sarah (Carson) Thompson.
His father was born in Cape May County, New Jersey, January 28, 18 10,
and was a son of Anson and Elizabeth (Eldridge) Thompson. He
received a good education and went to Menard County, Illinois, in 1837,
where he taught school and worked at the carpenter's trade. He also
clerked in a store for a number of years, and in 1848 he turned his atten-
tion to agricultural pursuits, purchasing and improving a large farm.
He was married September 21, 1848, to Miss Sarah J. Carson, a native
of Sangamon County, Illinois. She was a daughter of William and Cyn-
thia (Boumont) Carson. He was one of the first settlers of Menard
230 HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
County, Illinois. The mother died October 19, 1854, and the father was
married the second time to Mrs. Amanda M., widow of George M.
O'Banion, who still resides in Illinois. L. M. Thompson spent his boy-
hood days in his native county, and received a good education, when at
the age of seventeen years he came to Holt County Missouri, and broke
prairie for two years, and in 1872 turned his attention to tilling the soil.
He married March' 22, 1874, Miss Emma Shields, a native of Washing-
ton County, Indiana, born March 7, 1851. Her parents were William
and Sarah (Cartwright) Shields. Her father, a native of Randolph
County, North Carolina, was born January 31, 1823, the son of Reuben
and Gracie Shields. Her mother was born in Washington County,
Indiana, May 12, 1823. They were married October 9, 1844, and then set-
tled in Washington County, Indiana, and in 1870 moved to Holt County,
Missouri, and in 1879 to Kansas. Mr. and Mrs. Thompson finally located
where they now reside. Their family consists of two children : IdaM.,
born February 22, 1875, and Claudie M., born December 30, 1876.
S. L. VINSONHALER,
grain dealer, was born in Nodaway County, Missouri, June 29, 1854, and
is a son of D. M. and Mary Vinsonhaler, The father was a native of
Ross County, Ohio, born October 6, 1820, and with his parents he moved
to Nodaway County, Missouri, and settled near Graham. He was mar-
ried October 6, 1853, to Miss Mary Byers, a native of Andrew County,
Missouri. She died in 1858, and D. M. Vinsonhaler' married the second
time Miss Mary I. Rea. They now reside where he first settled, some
three miles south of Graham. S. L. passed his younger days and
received his education in Nodaway County, Missouri. In 1868 he began
clerking for Smith & Vaugh, merchants at Graham, and in 1869 entered
the employ of McQuary & Gardner, hardware merchants. In [871 he
learned the painters' trade, at which he worked till 1880, when he
entered the employ of Bariteau & Welch, grain merchants at Maitland;
Mr. V. married October 25, 1875, Miss Sarah Trapp, a native of Andrew
County, Missouri, born March 16, 1858. She was a daughter of Rev.
W. R. and M. A. Trapp. Mrs. V. died November 27, 1875. Mr. V.
was married the second time September 13, 1879, t0 Miss Maggie
Lewis, a native of Fayette County, Pennsylvania, born February 21,
1861. Her parents were Dr. D. S. and Margaret J. Anderson. Mr. V.
is a member of Hesperian Lodge, No. 189 I. O. O. F.
GEORGE WAGNER,
farmer, section 4, a native of Jefferson County,. Ohio, was born in 1833.
His lather, George Wagner, was born in Pennsylvania, and at an early
CLAY TOWNSHIP. 23 I
day, he went, with his parents, to Ohio, in which state he settled. He
was married to Miss C. Hicler a native of Ohio. Her father and mother
came from Germany. George passed his youthful days in his native
state, and in May, 1855, was married to Miss Elizabeth Hooper, a native
of Athens, Ohio, born in 1836. Some time after they settled in that
county, and remained till 1844, when they moved to Morgan County,
Ohio. In the spring of 1866, Mr. Wagner came to Holt County, and
located in Clay Township, where he now has a farm, consisting of 200
acres of improved land-
JAMES WAGNER,
1
; farmer, section 33, was born in Athens County, Ohio, March 25, 1837, and
was a son of George and C. (Hicler) Wagner. His father was a native
of Pennsylvania, and, with his parents, moved to Ohio and settled in
Athens County at an early day. The mother of James was a native of
Ohio, but of German descent, her parents having come from Germany
and settled in Jefferson County, Ohio. Young Wagner was raised on a
jfarm, receiving a good common-school education, and in 1859 he started
for Pike's Peak. Upon reaching the Platte River he decided to go no
further, but located at Phelps, in Atchison County, Missouri, where he
remained two years. He then went to Vernon County, Wisconsin, and
enlisted in Company F, Twentieth Regiment Wisconsin Volunteer
Infantry, and served till March 4, 1863, when he was honorably dis-
charged, on account of a wound received in a skirmish. December 7,
1 1863, Mr. Wagner returned to Wisconsin and was married March 4, 1864,
to Miss E. Smith, a native of Vinton County, Wisconsin. She died in
March, 1867, at the age of twenty-one years, leaving two children, Law-
rence E. and William M. Mr. Wagner was married the second time
August 1, 1869, to Miss Rebecca Harris, a native of Morgan County,
Ohio, born in 1850. In 1876 they moved to Holt County, Missouri, and
settled near Maitland, and later located where he now resides. He owns
a farm of 160 acres of fine land, well improved. Mr. and Mrs. W. have
three children, Charles W., George S. and Bertie R. They are both
members of the U. B. Church.
W. F. WAIT, V. D. M.,
Maitland Christian Church, is a native of Monroe County, Ohio, and
was born on the 16th of August, 1847, being the son of Dr. L. A. and
Sarah (Smallwood) Wait. His father was born in Greenbrier County,
West Virginia, in 1812, and died October 28, 1864, and his mother, a
native of Ohio, was born in 1820, and died in 1855. They were married
in 1844, and then settled in Monroe County, Ohio. W. F., with his
parents, moved to Platte County, Missouri, in 1857, ar>d, in 1859, to
232 HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
Atchison County. He received his education at Atchison, Kansas, and,
in 1864, enlisted in the Fourth Kansas Light Artillery, and did service
in the Black Hills, fighting Indians. He suffered many hardships, and
at one time lived for nineteen days on mule meat and rose buds. After
being mustered out at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, in December, 1865,
Mr. Wait returned to Atchison, devoting his time to study preparatory
to his entering the ministry. He was ordained in September, 1868, his
first charge being at Wyandotte, Kansas. There he remained till 1873,
when he came to Missouri, and since that time he has preached in
DeKalb, Clinton, Caldwell, Daviess and Holt Counties. He was mar-
ried on the 7th of July, 1876, to Miss Annie E. Boulton, who is a native
of Buchanan County, born in January, 1873. She is the daughter of P.
L. and" Annie (Baker) Boulton, who were both natives of Mason County,
Kentucky, and who, after being married, settled in Buchanan County,'
Missouri. In 1853 they moved to Caldwell County, locating about
seven miles from Cameron. By this union Mr. and Mrs. Wait had one
child, Rutherford B., born March 29, 1877, but who died soon after. Mr.
Wait is a member of Lodge No. 202, of the A. O. U. W.
JACOB WELLER,
farmer, section 13, was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, on August 22,
1818, and is a son of John and Mary (Barbara) Weller. He received an
excellent education in the state schools, and was assistant teacher from
1832 till 1835 and acted as principal until 1853. In September, 1844, he
was married to Miss Catherine Marget, a native of Germany, born Feb-
ruary 2, 1823. In 1853 Mr. W. joined the Baptist Church, and for that
reason was discharged from further duties as government teacher. The
following October, with his wife and children, he came to America,
landing at Philadelphia, and soon received a call to preach from the
Louisville Baptist Church. He acted as missionary till 1869, when he
moved to Clarke County, Indiana, and settled on a farm, which he
improved. In 1870 he sold out and came to Holt County, Missouri,
and purchased a tract of land. He now owns some 320 acres of well
improved land near Maitland. His family consists of seven children
living : Ernest, Frederick K., William G., Sarah E.. Charles F., Phillip
J., and Lydia M.
D. A. WILLIAMS,
farmer, section 1, was born in Geauga County, Ohio, in 185 1, being a son
of Delvo and Elvira (Knox) Williams, who were natives of the same
county. After being married they settled where the father now resides,
the mother having died in 1858. The subject of this sketch spent his
boyhood days and received a good education in his native county, and
CLAY TOWNSHIP. 233
when twenty-one years old he started out for himself, by first engaging
in the butter and cheese business for some six years. He married
August 27, 1871, Miss Georgie Johnston, a native of the same county as
her husband, born in December, 1857. She was the daughter of A. and
L. (Heath) Johnston, who were born in Geauga County, Ohio. The
mother died when Mrs. W. was quite small, and she was raised by an
aunt. In 1878 Mr. W. went to Black Hawk County, Iowa, and was there
occupied in making butter and cheese, till 1879. After this he removed to
Clarke County, Indiana, and in 1881 traveled through Kansas, but not
being satisfied with the country, finally purchased his present farm of 80
acres, which is all improved, and well watered. Mr. and Mrs. Williams
have two boys, James A. and Delos G. Mrs. W. is a church member.
GEORGE W. ZOOK,
farmer, section n, was born in Mahoning County, Ohio, in 1833. His
parents were natives of Pennsylvania and moved to Mahoning County
at an early day. When George was five years of age they died and he
was raised by an aunt, Caroline Clay by name, and a resident of Maho-
ning County. When at the age of fourteen years he supported himself
by working on a farm, and in 1850 he went to N-?)ble County, Indiana.
He was married September 19, 1852, to Miss Lucinda Action, who was
a native of Ohio, born in 1836, being a daughter of William and Mary
Action. Her father was born in Maryland and her mother in Ohio.
After being married they settled in Ohio, and, in 1850, moved to Noble
County, Indiana, where they still reside. Mr. and Mrs. Zook finally
located in LaGrange County, Indiana, purchased a farm and made many
improvements. In 1869 he sold out and came to Holt County, Missouri,
and remained till 1871, when he bought his present farm of 200 acres.
This he has greatly improved. The family of Mr and Mrs. Z. consists
of four children, Mary J., Sarah A., William C. and Rosa B. They are
members of the Christian Church.
P. M. PASCHAL
was born on February 3, 1827, in Somerset, Pulaski County, Kentucky,
being the eldest son of Alvah and Sarah (McQuary) Paschal. The for-
mer was a native of Russell County, Virginia, born in 1801, and with his
parents moved to Kentucky in 1804. P. M.'s mother was a native of
Wilkes County, North Carolina, born in 1802. She moved to Kentucky
in 1812. They were married in March, 1826. The father died in April,
1854, his wife in 1877. " Pleas," as he is familiarly called, spent his boy-
hood days and received his education in his native state. Early in life
he was engaged in the ship timber business, but in the course of a few
234 HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
years, by his energetic business qualities and industry and good man-
agement, he secured a competency to embark in the horse and mule
trade, purchasing animals in Kentucky and taking them to Mis-
sissippi and Louisiana. These he disposed of to planters. Being an
active worker and square dealer, he soon ranked among the foremost in
the business. In 1864 he purchased a tract of land in Holt County,
Missouri, consisting of 200 acres, and in 1865 closed out his entire
interest in Kentucky and settled on his farm in Missouri, devoting his
time to improving land and stock raising. November 1, 1875, he dis-
posed of all personal property and spent the year 1876 in settling up
outstanding business. January I, 1877, he associated himself with John
W. McQuary, of Graham, Nodaway County, Missouri, as a hardware
merchant. The following year, in October, 1878, his partner died. Mr.
Paschal settled up the estate and purchased the interest of his late part-
ner, and continued the business as sole proprietor till April, 1880, when
he took in John S. Spencer as junior partner. His landed estate consists
of some 918 acres of finely improved property, situated in Holt, Nodaway,
Andrew and DeKalb Counties. At the outbreak of the rebellion Mr. P.
was in the capital of North Carolina, and was at Raleigh the night of its
capture, but soon finding things rather warm, he returned to his native
state. He is cautious, firm in purpose, and strictly honest in all business
transactions. To his excellent business qualifications is the establish-
ment largely due for its remarkable financial success. In business cir-
cles he stands high for his unswerving integrity and stability.
CHAPTER X.
FORBES TOWNSHIP.
BOUNDARIES- PHYSICAL FEATURES-STREAMS— EARLY SETTLERS— FIRST PREACHER-
FIRST CHURCH ORGANIZED— FIRST SCHOOL-OTHER EARLY SE 1TLERS-FIRST
PHYSICIAN-BUILDINGS AND PEOPLE-DALLAS— WEST UNION- FORBES— EDUCA-
TIONAL-PRESENT BUSINESS— SHIPPING STATION BIOGRAPHICAL.
At a regular term of the county court of Holt County, held at the
court house, in Oregon, on the 22d day of March 1871, it was ordered
that a new municipal township be erected out of the southern portion of
Nodaway Township, and bounded as follows :
"Commencing at the southwest corner of section 6, township 59,
range 37, thence south to the southwest corner of section 18, township
59, range 37 ; thence west to the northwest quarter of section 23, town-
ship 59, range 38 ; thence south to the Missouri River ; thence down the
left bank thereof to the mouth of the Nodaway River, thence up on the
right bank of the Nodaway River to the south line of section 1, town-
ship 59, range 37 ; thence west to the place of beginning. All that
part lying within these boundaries shall hereafter be known as Forbes
Township, and the place of voting shall be at the town of Forbes."
On the 10th of May, 1872, the dividing line between congressional
townships fifty-nine and sixty was made the northern boundary of
Forbes Township. The tier of sections from one to six, inclusive, on the
north boundary of this township, was thus taken from Nodaway Town-
ship and annexed to Forbes, thereby adding nearly six entire sections
to the latter township, and increasing its area to its present (1882) limits.
The outline of this township, from the circumstance of a consider-
able portion of the same being bounded by the Missouri and Nodaway
Rivers, is necessarily irregular, and where the boundaries are straight
lines, Lewis Township cuts a notch out of the northwest corner of Forbes,
two miles east and west by three miles north and south. It is thus
bounded on the north two miles by Lewis Township, and six miles by
Nodaway Township ; on the east it is bounded by the Nodaway River,
which separates it from Andrew County, and also by the Missouri River ;
on the south by the Missouri River, which separates it from the state of
Kansas ; and, on the west by Lewis Township.
236 HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
PHYSICAL FEATURES.
Forbes Township includes a considerable diversity of surface. The
bluff formation, which, within its limits, begins on the north line of sec-
tion twenty-three, township 59, range 38, extends in an eastward by
southerly direction to section 29 of range 38, in the same township
where stands the town of Forbes, thence in a nearly due easterly direc-
tion to the confluence of the Nodaway with the Missouri River, in the
southeast corner of the county, the whole extent of this chain of eleva-
tion including a distance of about eight miles. To the southward of this
bluff extends the wide expanse of Little Tarkio and Missouri River bot-
tom lands, which generally are, or were originally heavily timbered.
The bluff lands, or those immediately to the northward of the same, are
very broken, and the general aspect of that portion of the township
extending beyond these, even to its extreme northern limits, present the
aspect of a rolling country.
Though including within its'limits a considerable amount of prairie
land, Forbes Township is essentially a timbered district of the county.
Besides all the other different varieties of wood proper to this section of
country, a considerable amount of superior walnut has been cut and
shipped from its limits, and though materially decreased from the yield
of former years, this still continues to be a valuable item of export.
Limestone of superior quality exists in exhaustless deposits along the
water courses, and in the bluffs of this township. This is well adapted
for building purposes, and is extensively quarried.
STREAMS.
This township is abundantly provided with water, for stock and
domestic uses. Unfailing springs of living water abound almost every-
where within its limits, and is otherwise readily obtained at reasonable
depths, by digging. Besides the rivers on its boundaries, there are several
minor streams within its limits. The old channel of the Little Tarkio
enters Forbes Township at the northwest corner of section 28, township 59,
range 38, and flows in a generally southeasterly direction to the northeast
corner of section 32, where it makes a bend of nearly a mile, flowing
northward and then eastward, entering the Missouri River in. section 26.
Prior to its cutting into the Missouri above Forest City, where its prin-
cipal volume now flows through the old forsaken channel of the Missouri
River, the Little Tarkio was a stream of no inconsiderable importance
in Forbes Township. It was over one hundred feet wide, very deep, and
abounded in buffalo, pike, salmon and cat-fish. As many as thirty cats,
weighing from fifteen to thirty pounds each, have been taken at a single
haul from the creek.
FORBES TOWNSHIP. 237
Easter Branch rises near the center of the township and, flowing in
a southeasterly and southerly direction, enters the old channel of the
Little Tarkio, about one mile east of the town of Forbes.
In the northern part of the township Harden's Branch rises, near the
northern boundary of section 4, township 59, range 37, and, flowing in a
southeasterly direction, enters the Nodaway River in section 12 of the
same township.
Such is Forbes Township as Nature made it.
The Nodaway River, which forms the eastern boundary of the town-
ship, was declared a navigable stream, by act of the Legislature, in 1839.
A chute is formed by the Nodaway River and an arm of the Missouri, on
the east side of Nodaway Island ; and, in the days of steamboating, was
a noted thoroughfare for that class of vessels. The steamer Watosa of
St. Joseph, running between that city and Omaha, was sunk in the Nod-
away Chute, about 1865. The bell of this boat now hangs in the steeple
of the Christian Church at Oregon. A steamboat was built about 1868,
on the Nodaway, near the State ferry, by Richard Danelsbeck. It was
designed to run between points below Hollister's Mill and St. Joseph, as
a wood boat. The enterprise proved a financial failure to the owner and
was abandoned. Hollister's Mill, in the northeast corner of Nodaway
Township, is, by the sinuosities of the stream, about twenty miles dis-
tant from the mouth of the Nodaway. While referring to this river,
before entering on the history proper of Forbes Township, it may be as
well to state that, as early as 1839, there existed on the same, with a
western landing on the northeast quarter of township 59, range 37, in
what is now Forbes Township, a ferry owned and operated by a man by the
name of Rose, and known as Rose's Ferry. This has long passed out of
existence.
EARLY SETTLERS.
The first white settlers of Forbes Township were also the first to
locate within the limits of Holt County. These were Peter and Blank
Stephenson, brothers, from Indiana. Blank brought with him a wife.
Peter was unmarried. They arrived in the spring of 1838, and settled
on the southeast quarter of section 7, township 59, range 37. This sec-
tion is contiguous to the present eastern boundary of Lewis Township,
and is about five miles southeast of the site of the present town of
Oregon. The farm is now (1882) the property of George Meyer.
Immediately on their arrival, the Stephensons put in a crop of corn. In
the fall of the same year came, also from Indiana, John Russel with his
wife and seven children, R. H. Russel, the present (1882) judge of the
Probate Court of Holt County, a younger brother, and, at the period of
his arrival, an unmarried man, John Sterritt, wife and two children, one
of whom, W. H. Sterritt, is now a prominent merchant of the town of
238 , HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
Oregon, and James Kee, also from Indiana. At the period of the arri-
val of these new-comers, Blank Stephenson and wife and his brother Peter
were the only white people living west of the Nodaway River, and the
arrival of the new-comers was hailed with a welcome which only pio-
neers know how to extend and to appreciate.
John Russel first settled on the southwest quarter of section 8,
township 59, range 37, directly east of Blank Stephenson's. This farm
is also the property of George Meyer.
John Sterritt settled on the northwest quarter of section 8, town-
ship 59, range 37, directly north of John Russel's. Peter, Blank Steph-
enson's brother, settled in the same section. He moved away during
the progress of the civil war, about 1864, and, going south, settled
where he now (1882) resides, in Dade County, Missouri, near Golden
City post office, in Barton County. There was no other arrival that
fall until the 9th day of October, 1838, when William R. Russel, the
first born of the white population of Holt County, first saw the light on
the above described farm of his father, within the limits of what is now
Forbes Township. In the following spring and summer settlers began
to flock in. Among others, came from Indiana, Mrs. Rachel Jackson, a
widow lady with a large family of children, among them Alexander
Rogers, a grown son by a former marriage. Mrs. Jackson, who died in
January, 1882, at the advanced age of upwards of ninety years, was, at
the period of her demise, a resident of Council Bluffs, Iowa, where,
until very recently, she was engaged in keeping a hotel. She is
described by those who have known her for more than a generation, as
a woman of rare executive ability and great force of character. The
place which she settled is the southwest quarter of section 5, township
59, range 37, now in the northern tier of Forbes Township sections, was
in that day included within the limits of Nodaway Township. This
farm is now (1882) the property of Judge George Mclntyre, and
here still stands the building erected by Mrs. Jackson. It is a substan
tial double log house, each room eighteen feet square, with a hall
between them nine feet wide. The white oak logs of which the build-
ing is composed were afterwards weather-boarded. This, at the period
when it was first built, was the best house in the county. It is still,
though unoccupied, in an excellent state of preservation. Mrs. Jackson
in an early day, here kept the first house of public entertainment in the
county. Here, also, convened the March term of the Circuit Court of Holt,
County, just one year after the organization of that body in the house
of William Thorp, on the northwest quarter of section 12, township 59,
range 38, of Lewis Township, where it first assembled, March 24, 1841.
This latter farm is now (1882) owned by the heirs of James Stephenson.
On the 4th day of March, 1841, just twenty days before the assembling
of the county court, the house of William Thorp was also the scene o'
FORBES TOWNSHIP. 239
the inauguration of the first Circuit Court of Holt County, the proceed-
ings of which are elsewhere detailed.
Mrs. Jackson's house was, on several subsequent occasions, used to
accommodate these courts, and was long a noted locality in the early
days of Holt County. Of Mrs. Jackson's children by her second mar-
riage, several afterwards became representative men in the country.
Andrew, the eldest son, is the founder of Jackson's Point, now Mound
City, in Holt County. In 1853, he moved to California and settled in
the Susune Valley, midway between Sacramento and San Francisco,
where he has been, for years, a leading grain merchant ; Franklin Jack-
son, his brother, is a prominent insurance man of San Francisco ; Wilson
Jackson, a fourth son, died young; Ellen, her eldest daughter, married
Alexander Record, now of Glenwood Iowa; Mary, another daughter,
was the wife of Abijah Duncan, since dead ; Margaret, the youngest
died young.
INDIAN SCARE.
It is related that the first born of the land of Holt experienced, in
early infancy, a narrow escape from the consequences of what proved to
be a groundless terror on the part of a number of the community of set-
tlers : It appears that one Vesser, an itinerant trader, had killed an
Indian in a remote part of the county, and an undue apprehension, on
the part of the small band of settlers had been awakened, that the
Indians would wreak their vengeance upon them. Alexander Rogers,
above referred to, was especially persuaded that such would be the case.
John Sterritt and John Russel had both gone to the bottom-lands, some
miles distant, to look after their cattle which were there being wintered
on the rushes that grew rankly in that locality. The only men about
the settlement then were R. H. Russel, Isaac Massey and Alexander
Rogers. The alarm was given late in the evening, and these three, with
the women and children, promptly fled through the snow to the neigh-
boring woods. In the course of their flight the infant, William Russel,
began to cry. This so terrified Rogers that he promptly expressed him-
self in favor of smothering the child, whose screams, he believed, would
reveal their presence to the murderous Indians. The indignation of the
mother and jeers of the men, however, triumphed over his insane alarm,
and the sacrifice failed to take place. After a halt of some hours in the
cover of a dense wood, about midnight, the snort of a horse which hap-
pened to be in the party was instantly construed into a signal of the
approach of the blood-thirsty red-men. In an instant all was excite-
ment, and the valiant Alex, again bethought him of that baby and of
the possibility of its again giving a scream. Fortunately the destroy-
ing savage proved to be an antlered buck whose glaring eyeballs gleam-
ing in the pale starlight, had startled the horse. By no means, however,
HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY. 240
satisfied of their safety, the fugitives proceeded through the snow to the
Nodaway River, a distance of four miles. Crossing this stream on a
raft, the men left the women and children on the Andrew County side,
and returned. On their arrival they found John Sterritt and John
Russel, who had just got back from the bottom. They immediately
went to work and barricaded and otherwise fortified the house, which
was a log building, on the Russell farm. In a few days, however, it
became apparent that the scare was absolutely groundless. No Indians
were in the immediate neighborhood, and those in other parts of the
Purchase had not, if they were conscious of their existence, the slightest
idea of in any way injuring or molesting the settlers. Thus, the first
estampede from the settlement proved happily the result of a causeless
alarm at which the pioneers could afford to laugh, as the almost daily
increasing neighborhood pursued the even tenor of its way.' William R.
Russel, whose escape from the effects of terrors of Rogers, which pro-
duced the incident above detailed, not only survived his infant flight,
but grew to manhood, and is now (1882) a resident of San Bernardino
County, California, where he is successfully engaged in the nursery
business.
In the summer of 1840 George and Augustus Borchers started,
within the present limits of Forbes Township, the " Pioneer Store" of
Holt County. The senior member of this primitive and original mer-j
cantile enterprise of this county has been dead for some years. Augus-
tus Borchers is now (1882) a resident of Hamburg, Iowa. They were the
first Germans to settle within the limits of Holt County, and the first
foreigners naturalized there. They bore the character of men of stricl
integrity, as well as of sterling business capacity. Their initial start ir
business was, of course, in keeping with the demands of the settlement
and necessarily on a very small scale. Their store stood on the north-
west corner of the southwest quarter of section 7, township 59, range 37
on a farm now the property of George Meyer, within the present limit.'
of Forbes Township, but included, in that day, in the area of Nodaway
the eastern of the two original townships into which the county, on it:
organization, was divided. They continued to do a fair business her;
for about two years, when the newly established town of Oregon absorbec
their trade.
It is related by the few who here survive of the original settlers c
this neighborhood, that the winter of 1840-41 was, unlike its several pre
decessors, one of unusual mildness. During the entire season there wa
no frost on the ground, and plowing was feasible during all the winte
months.
It appears that Blank Stephenson was the first to hold the office c
constable within the limits of Holt County, at that period include
within the limits of Buchanan County. This was in 1839. His fin
FORBES TOWNSHIP. 241
official experience is rather amusing, and was as follows: He
started on the track of a horse thief, and pursuing him as far
as English Grove, a locality now included within the present limits of
Atchison County, he halted for the night. Awaking the next morn-
ing, the astute constable was amazed to find that the thief had
overtaken him, and made a second haul by stealing his horse. The
baffled official was thus reduced to the necessity of walking back home,
where his crest-fallen appearance, in due time, failed not to excite
the derision of the community, in which his first exploit long after
remained a standing joke. The unfortunate Blank Stephenson met a
tragic and untimely end. In the month of July, 1840, as he was in the
act of crossing his yard fence with a load of kitchen wood in his arms,
he was struck by lightning and instantly killed. The first violent death
of a white person in the county was thus the visitation of Providence on
the head of the first settler. It appears that this untimely victim of the
thunderbolt, though a person of honorable impulse, was a man of turbu-
lent disposition and powerfully athletic frame. On that very morning
he had prepared himself for a fisticuff encounter with another who claimed
the championship of the neighborhood, and was almost in the act of
starting to the scene of the anticipated fight, when he was suddenly and
terribly conquered by an invincible adversary. The spot on which
transpired this lamentable occurrence was near the site of Borcher's
store, on the farm above described as the present (1882) property of
George Meyer. Blank Stephenson was the first who obtained a license
to sell whisky in the county. This was granted March 21, 1841, by the
first county court. The instrument granted to George Drane and Blank
Stephenson license to keep " grocery" for the term of twelve months by
paying ten dollars. In 1839, William, the father of John and Peter Ste-
phenson, came out from Indiana, and remained in Holt County, residing
in Forbes township up to the period of his death, which occurred at the
age of fifty-two years, in December, 1841. With their father, in 1839,
came William Stephenson, Jr., who died of the measles while serving in
the Mexican War, John now (1882) living four miles from Oregon. Mike
and also Alexander Stephenson died in 1843.
FIRST PREACHER.
The first to preach the gospel within the limits of what is now Holt
County, was the Rev. William Thorp, a Hardshell Baptist minister from
Clay County. It is believed that, inasmuch as the bulk of the popula-
tion were at that time residing within what is now included within the
limits of Forbes Township, that it was, in that locality, that the reverend
pioneer preached his first sermon. It is a circumstance worthy of notice
that, notwithstanding the subsequent general development, and com-
16
242 HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
parative wealth existing in Forbes Township, there is not, nor has there
ever been erected within its present limits, a building exclusively
devoted to the purposes of public worship.
FIRST CHURCH ORGANIZED.
The first church or class of the Methodist Episcopal Church in Holt
County was organized by Rev. Edwin Peary, at the residence of Elias
Davidson, two miles north of the present town of Forbes and five or six
miles southeast of Oregon. This was in the winter or spring of 1841.
Besides the minister and his wife, the members of this organization were
Benjamin Davidson and wife, John Robison, George Scott and wife,
William Robison and wife, Josiah Pierce and wife, Chloe Pierce and
Frances A. Pierce, a daughter of the two last mentioned, and perhaps a
few others.
The first Sunday School in the county was organized in 1841 by
Rev. William Hamilton, of the Iowa and Sac Mission, in an old log cabin
school house on the land now owned by John Stephenson. This was
the first school house built in the county, and its origin was as follows:
FIRST SCHOOL.
The first building erected for the special purpose of a school for the
instruction of youth, was a rude log house, which stood within the limits
of what is now Forbes Township, in the northwest quarter of section 7,
township 59, range 37, on a farm adjoining the east boundary line of
Lewis Township, and now (1882) owned by John Stephenson, and about
three miles southeast of the site of the present town of Oregon. This
building was put up in the spring of 1840, by the residents of the neigh-
borhood, and was completed in the course of one day, each man appear-
ing on the appointed morning with his logs and whatever other material
he was assigned to bring. The original structure, which was afterwards
slightly improved, was necessarily of the rudest description. Benches
were extemporized from puncheons split from linden logs ; the
floor was of similar material and construction. Greased paper, in the
long, narrow aperture created by the removal of a log from the wall of
the building for the purpose of affording a window, supplied the absence
of glass. The house was eighteen feet square. The first teacher to,
exercise his vocation in this primitive temple of the muses was Gilbert
Ray ; then a man by the name of Scoville. He was shortly after suc-
ceeded by another by the name of John Worley, from Indiana. Among
the pupils who first attended this school were Elias and Cassandra David-
son, Henry, Sarah and Milton Russel, children of the pioneer, John
Russel, who died in 1861 ; Henry and Eliza Sterritt, children who died
FORBES TOWNSHIP. 143
in 1846, and James and Mike Stephenson, children of William Stephen-
son, Sr., who died in the early part of the winter of 1841. The site of
this pioneer structure, which was torn down in 1846, still betrays an
unmistakable relic of its existence in the debris of a long-fallen chimney
of ponderous stone, as well as the occasional presence of a rock of com-
paratively larger dimensions which probably served to underpin the
corner of thjs ancient and long extinguished structure, amid whose for-
mer area grew, in wild luxuriance, the hazel bush, the tall weeds and
wild flowers which, in their rocky neighborhood, blossom and wither in
safe exemption from the farmer's plow-share.
OTHER EARLY SETTERS.
Prominent among the other early settlers of what is now Forbes
Township, were Smith Mclntyre, who arrived in 1839, an<^ died, in 1881,
on his farm, in the southeast quarter of section 6, township 59, range 37,
of Forbes Township. Judge George Mclntyre, his brother, who now
(1882) lives at home, on the quarter adjoining on the east, in section 5-
John Baldwin, from Parke County, Indiana, se'ttled in Forbes Township,
in 1839. John Stephenson, from Indiana, came in 1840. In the same
year came Thomas Ramsay, who settled the farm now owned by N.
Murray & Bros. About the same period, Joseph Brownlee, from Vir-
ginia, settled in the Missouri River bottom. He was the first man to
start a steam saw mill within the limits of the township. This was
about a mile and a half below the present Town of Forbes. In 1840,
also came James Foster, one of the first attorneys admitted to the bar
of Holt County. He was born in County Monahan, Ireland, February
18, 1818. In 1837, he came to the United States, and settled in Jefferson
City, Missouri. In 1839 ne was admitted to the bar of the Supreme
Court, at Boonville. In the following year, he moved to Holt County,
and settled in Forbes Township, making his office and residence at the
Widow Jackson's, where he continued to make his home, till the found-
ing of the Town of Oregon, the county seat, when he took up his abode
and continued to reside there in the practice of his profession, for many
years after. His professional standing in the state was high, and his
personal popularity great. He represented Holt County in the legisla-
ture of 1848-49. A strong sympathizer with the cause of the South,
during the period of the rebellion, he moved his residence from Oregon.
At the close of the war, he returned, but a few years after again left,
moving his residence permanently. In 1841, Felty Worley settled on
the farm now (1882) owned by Huitt. J. Frank Worley, who came at
the same time, now lives in the bottom. In the same year came Abraham
Brown and his sons, E. R. Brown, A. Mc. Brown and Dr. M. D. Brown.
The three former are dead. Dr. Brown is now a resident of Forest
City, Missouri.
244 HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
Abraham Brown settled the northwest quarter of section 10, town-
ship 59, range 37, in what is now Forbes Township. In the year of his
arrival he planted on this farm, which is now (1882) the property of F-
C. Honnen, the first apple orchard ever set out in Holt County. The
trees were grafted on crab apple stocks. Josiah Pierce, with his sons
Charles, Lorenzo and Silas, came from Maryland in 1841, and settled in
the present Forbes Township. Elias and Benjamin Davidson were also
early settlers. Robert Patterson, a large land-owner, who now resides
on the southwest corner section 4, in the same township and range, set-
tled there in 1841. William G. Patterson is also an old settler. W. D.
Taylor and Squire P. Shambaugh both continue to reside where they
first settled in Forbes Township, in 1843. Charles Shambaugh, a brother
of the latter, also came about the same time. John and Daniel Huitt
settled in the neighborhood in 1846. George Meyer, the fruit man,
came from Lewis Township in 1857, and settled in Forbes Township on
the splendid farm he now owns in sections seven and eight. Henry
Clark settled in an early day in a locality in the neighborhood of Nod-
away River, known as Cracker's Neck.
FIRST PHYSICIAN.
The first to practice medicine in what is now Forbes Township, was
Doctor John C. Norman, the pioneer physician of the county. Previous
to the laying out of the town of Oregon, to which he afterwards moved,
he made his headquarters and office at the Widow Jackson's tavern.
John M. Briggs, a native of Tennessee, who afterwards moved to
Iowa, where he died in 1877, started in 1840, the first blacksmith shop
within the limits of what is now Forbes Township. His stand was about
six miles southeast of the site of Oregon.
BUILDINGS AND PEOPLE.
The first frame building erected for a residence in the county was
put up by John Russel, on what is now the George Meyer farm. It is a
one-story house, with three or four rooms, and is still in a good state of
preservation. The class of citizens wlio settled in what is now Forbes
Township, with a fair share of the roughs and restless characters who
float everywhere in the van of civilization, were generally men of enter-
prise and often persons of substance, for that early day. Some of them
yet remain reputable and honored members of the community, while the
descendants of many are living representatives of the best class of the
inhabitants of the county.
About the year 1846 organized gangs of outlaws rendered property
in horses yery unsafe ; and, though an eminently law-abiding people, the
FORBES TOWNSHIP. 245
better class of citizens were reduced to the necessity of associating them-
selves into companies for the purpose of putting down the source of these
outrages. The people inhabiting that section of the county now known
as Forbes Township were especially sufferers by these robberies. About
one hundred of these organized themselves into a vigilance committee,
of which William Thorp was chosen captain and James Craig (now Gen.
Craig, of St. Joseph,) lieutenant. For a while it seemed difficult to fix
suspicion on any individual. It, however, began to be remarked that a
quiet and seemingly inoffensive citizen, by the name of George Carter,
who had formerly resided in the neighborhood, occasionally returned to
visit his friends ; further, that these visits were periodic, and, also, it
began to be the subject of remark that, whenever George favored his
Holt County friends with a visit, his sympathetic nature was sure to be
wounded by hearing, shortly after his arrival, of some of their horses
having been stolen. The strangeness of the coincidence soon became
the subject of general remark. Suspicion was directed against Carter,
and immediately acted on. He was arrested, tied up and severely
whipped. He finally yielded to the pressure of circumstances, and dis-
closed the whole business, giving the name of an unsuspected accomplice,
by the name of Bass, who was forthwith arrested and subjected to the
same discipline. The thieves were then given three days in which to
leave the county, an injunction with which they promptly complied. This
effectually broke up horse-stealing in these parts.
DALLAS.
The first attempt to start a town within the limits of what is now
Forbes Township, occurred April 17, 1843, when Abraham Brown laid
out the town of Dallas, on the northeast quarter of section 28, township
59, range 37, one mile above the mouth of the Nodaway River. This,
though it never in its best days amounted to much of a town, was still
for many years a noted shipping point, and during certain conditions
of the river, when Iowa Point was not readily accessible, served as an
entrepot for Oregon. A hemp press and several large warehouses for
several years stood on the site of this prospective town. Long before the
decadence of the hemp interest in Missouri, it had lost even its nominal
existence, and was only remembered among the things of the past. The
only attempt to sell goods in the place was made by James Whitehead,
who kept a small store at the landing for about a year. Insignificant as
it was, however, Dallas was not too small to provoke rivalry, and a com-
petitor in the prospective town of
WEST UNION
struggled into an ephemeral existence only, however, to blink out inglo-
riously and without a requiem. On the 12th of April, 1844, H. Utt,
246 HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
Henry H. Utt and E. M. Samuel laid out this town. Its location was
between Dallas and the mouth of the Nodaway River. Corner lots
could not be given away, and while the friends of the would-be founders
gloried in the enterprise of these enthusiastic rivals of the Dallas inter-
ests, they almost universally condemned their judgment. West Union
fell still born, and few now living in or out of the county have any rec-
ollection of the prospective existence of such a place.
The third attempt to start a town in the territory of Forbes Town-
ship was an enterprise of much later date, and has to a certain extent
proved a success. This, the town of
FORBES
was laid out in 1869, by Levi Devorss, on the southwest quarter of the
northwest quarter of section 29, township 59, range 37. Since that
period, additions to the original site have been made. As early as 1839,
Jonathan Keney pre-empted the quarter on which the town stands.
This was, afterwards, entered by Thomas Mulholland, who, in the early
part of 185 1, sold it, together with adjacent lands, amounting, with a
tract at the same time conveyed by Edward* Mulholland, to 290 acres, to
Levi Devorss, who had previously resided in Buchanan County, Missouri.
The idea of locating a town at this point was prompted by the presence
of the Kansas City, St. Joseph & Council Bluffs railroad, which was com
pleted to this point in the summer of 1868, the first train of cars running
through the site of the town August 9, 1868. The depot at this point is
nineteen miles north by west of St. Joseph; and the elevation of its site
is eight hundred and sixty-seven and nearly 'one-half feet above the
level of the sea.
The original house of the town is the farm residence of Levi
Devorss, at the foot of the bluff at the north extremity of the village.
The first building erected after the laying out of the town was a small
store erected by William Herron, on what was afterwards Devorss'
addition to the original town. Herron & Taylor sold goods here during
the summer in which the road was building. They soon after erected a
larger building in which, for the period of three years, they continued to
sell goods. The style of the firm was Herron, Taylor & Meyer. W. D.
Taylor- and George Meyer, both representative citizens and large farmers
of the township, were included in this firm. In 1871, W. D. Taylor, in
partnership with S. M. Shirley, put up a two-story brick house twenty-
six by sixty feet area, in which they opened a stock of goods, and where
they continued to transact mercantile business till 188 1, when they
closed out, and rented the building to John Ross & Co., who now (1882)
do the leading commercial business of the place.
In 1876 Shirley & Taylor put up, in the town of Forbes, the first
steam flouring mill ever built in the township. It was a frame struc-
FORBES TOWNSHIP. 247
ture, of considerable extent, and was fitted up with three run of burrs.
This mill was hardly under way before it was accidentally destroyed by
fire. About thirty steps beyond was a warehouse, in which was stored
a considerable amount of merchandise, also the property of the firm.
To this building the fire communicated, and the whole was soon wrapped
in flames, involving a total loss of about $7,000.
Ross & Meyer opened, in 1875, a stock of goods in the town, and
did a prosperous business till August, 1880, when they closed out.
E. B. Bumps, in 1870, opened the first drug store in Forbes. He
continued to sell here till 1877, when he moved from the town.
The first to open a blacksmith shop in the place was John Brownlee.
The first physician to locate in the town was Dr. Jason Bumps, since
dead.
The first postmaster of Forbes, or as the office is styled, Elm Grove,
was Levi Devorss, the father of the town. He was appointed August
28, 1868. His successors, in regular order, have been : S. M. Shirley,
N. Swiget, Jacob Meyer and Charles Scott, appointed in 1881. On the
resignation of Meyer, John Ross, his late partner in business, discharged
the duties of the office till the appointment of his successor, the present
(1882) incumbent.
EDUCATIONAL.
The people of Forbes have always appreciated the importance of
education and encouraged every scheme calculated to promote that
interest in their midst. One of their first enterprises was the erection
of a school building in 1^69. This was a small frame building twenty-
two by twenty-four feet area, and is now (1882) occupied as a dwelling.
It was erected by the Rev. Mr. Bloomer, a Protestant Methodist
preacher, and cost $560. The first who taught in this school was Lud
Wyet. The second teacher was Charles Coursen. He taught two
two years, from September, 1870, when he was succeeded by William
Kezier, who, in turn, was succeeded by William Morrison. The Rev.
Mr. Bratcher, of the church of the United Brethren, taught two terms.
Al. Ewing taught from the fall of 1877 to close of the term. He was
succeeded in the fall of 1878, by T. J. Owen, the last who taught in the
old school building. In 1878 and 1879 was erected at a cost of three
thousand dollars the present elegant structure of the Forbes public
school. It is a spacious two-story brick edifice on a commanding eleva-
tion overlooking the village, and the wide extent of bottom land stretch-
ing far westward to the Missouri River. A stately grove of native
timber almost surrounds the building, adding no less to the comfort
than the appearance of its surroundings. The first session of the pub-
lic school opened in this building with Professor A. G. Young, M. D.,
as principal, assisted by Mrs. Young. In the fall of 1880, Samuel
248 HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
O'Fallon commenced the school. He was assisted by Miss Belle
Young. After the Christmas holidays he resigned, and was succeeded
by Galen B. Anderson, who taught the school to the close of the term.
September, 1881, Professor J. E. Campbell, assisted by Miss Clara
Wilkinson, the present (1882) teacher of the school, took charge of the
institution. The
PRESENT BUSINESS
of Forbes is as follows : J. A. Ross & Co., general merchandise, in the
brick store formerly occupied by Shirley & Taylor.
A. G. Young, M. D., drug store.
J. R. Wilson, general stock, in the new frame building in which the
post office is kept.
William Kelley, saloon.
Jo"hn A. Smith & M. Cordery, blacksmiths and wagonmakers.
Drs.. A. G. Young and M. V. Dunn are the physicians of the town.
Levi Devorss, founder of the town, capitalist and hotel keeper.
E. Hilliker is the present railroad agent.
The present (1882) population of Forbes is one hundred and fifty.
It is, though a small place, one of no inconsiderable importance as a
shipping station. During the past year (1881), there have been shipped
from this point, 945 car loads of cordwood, thirty-three car loads of
walnut logs, and one car load of hoop-poles. The grain and hog pro-
duct of this season was reported as unusually low, the shipments of the
same amounting to but thirty-two car loads of the former and twenty-
four of the latter. The heaviest shipper was J. A. Ross, the merchant.
He sent from Forbes Station 500 car loads of cordwood, and six car
loads of corn.
G. W. Pullen, who runs a saw-mill in the bottom below town,
shipped fifteen car loads of native lumber.
The heaviest shipper of hogs was M. Gelvin, who sent oft fourteen
car loads.
.&— i^S^S— si
'sT^S*
^BIOGRAPHICAL*
DANIEL A. BAKER,
farmer, is the owner of 261 acres of land, and lives on section 36. He
was born in Lawrence County, Indiana, August 8, 1837, being brought
up as a farmer. In 1857 he came to Holt County, Missouri, and bought
a part of his present farm, but, after remaining for two years, he returned
to Indiana, residing there until 1867, when he again came to this county
FORBES TOWNSHIP. 249
and settled permanently. In October, 1861, he enlisted in the Fiftieth
Indiana Volunteer Infantry and served for three years. He was with
Gens. Buell and Rosecrans, and at Pilot Knob the company of which
he was a member was captured by Morgan, but in a few days were
paroled, and after a time exchanged. Two of the paroled men were from
Kentucky and took up arms again before they were exchanged. Mor-
gan's men recognized them, captured and shot them. After joining the
regiment they were assigned to the Seventh Army Corps. Mr. B. par-
ticipated in the battle of Little Rock, Arkansas, and was through the
Red River expedition. For meritorious conduct he was promoted to
first lientenant, and served in that capacity until he received his dis-
charge. He then returned home and, after remaining two years, he came
to his farm in Missouri. He married Miss Eliza Noon, in Lawrence
County, Indiana, in February, 1857. They have two children, Carrie
Ellis and Ava. Mrs. Baker is the daughter of John Noon, of Indiana.
Mr. B. started here, in 1857, with limited means, but by hard work and
good management overcame every obstacle, and he now has an excel-
lent farm.
WILLIAM M. BAKER,
section 35, was born in Lawrence County, Indiana, April 29, 1841, and
in 1868, came to this county and purchased a piece of land, improving
it, and adding to it from time to time until now he has a superior farm
of 280 acres. He married Miss Martha Baker, of Kentucky, in 1859.
They have six children : Minnie B., Carrie, Jackson, Ida, Harry and
Lena. Mr. Baker is one of the'substantial men in the township and has
labored hard to gain a compentency. He is a good farmer, and his
land on the" bottoms is very productive.
MARTIN V. DUNN,
physician and surgeon, was born in Iroquois County, Illinois, on the
14th of August, 1837, and was the son of Samuel M. and Nancy (Walker)
Dunn, the former a native of Kentucky, and the latter of East Ten-
nessee. Martin was educated in the common schools, and also attended
the Urbana Academy, of Illinois. Resolving upon the practice of med-
icine as his profession, he commenced its study with Dr. Samuel A.
Barry, of Concord, Illinois, and attended lectures at Rush Medical Col-
lege, of Chicago. Dr. Dunn began business life, as it were, with a phy-
sician's lease. His grandfather Walker was a surgeon in the Florida
War, and was with General Jackson. His father was an early graduate
of the Medical College in Lexington, Kentucky, and for many years a
prominent practitioner in Iroquois County, Illinois. Four of his brothers
are well known brethren of the medical profession in Northwest Mis-
250 HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
souri. He also has a sister, a successful physician in Macon County,
Missouri. Two of his sisters are married to doctors — Dr. J. W. Dunn,
of Atchison County, and Dr. James Bickett, of Conception, Nodaway
County. Two nephews were members of the graduating class during
the past winter. The subject of this sketch has practiced in Iowa with
his brother, Prof. S. M. Dunn, and also in Nebraska. In i860 he came
to Holt County, and for sixteen years has been a regular practitioner
in this and adjoining counties. He is a man respected by all, and a
physician of skill and experience. In i860 the doctor was married to
Rebecca M. Oliver, of Salem, Nebraska, daughter of Robert and Ellen
Oliver. She died May 1, 1881, leaving six children : William O., Robert
Lee, Charles Sumner, Edward M., Minerva G. and Martin V. Mrs. Dunn
was a woman loved by all, and her death was mourned by many. Dr.
D. is a Cumberland Presbyterian in his religious preferences, and was
formerly a Democrat in politics, but is now a Greenbacker.
EDWIN HILLIKER,
railroad agent and telegraph operator at Forbes, was born in. Riley,
Clinton County, Michigan, March 18, 1852. His father, John Hilliker, was
born in New York, and his mother, formerly Unez Mix, was a native of
Erie County, Pennsylvania. The former was a musician and has devoted
his life to the profession of music, and in that capacity is well known
throughout the State of Michigan. Young Edwin received good educa-
tional advantages, and being ambitious for some active business, after
leaving school he came to Craig, Missouri, in 1871, where he learned
telegraphing, acting at that station for three years as assistant agent.
Since that time he has had charge of stations at Sugar Lake, Missouri,
Bartlett and Henton's, Iowa, and in 1881, he came to Forbes. He is
prompt in the discharge of his duties, and accommodating to the travel-
ing public. Mr. Hilliker was married to Miss Mary Clark in Craig,
January 4, 1879. She is a daughter of John Clark, Esq., of Nebraska.
They have one child, Delia Gertrude, born December 8, 1879. Mr. H. is
Republican in politics.
ELUM EDGAR HUNTER,
section 11, was born in Haynesville, Clinton County, Missouri, June 21,
1841, and was the son of Joseph and Jane (Bowles) Hunter. His father,
an agriculturist by occupation, was a native of Franklin County, Vir-
ginia, and his mother of Cumberland County, Kentucky. Elum passed
his youth in farming and in attending the common schools of Andrew
County. During the war, he enlisted in the Fifth Missouri Regiment of
the Confederate army, for two years, and was in the two battles at Cor-
inth, Shiloh, before Richmond, in the seven days battle, at Farmington,
FORBES TOWNSHIP. 25 1
Grand Gulf, Champion's Hill in 1863, also at Fort Beauregard and Vicks-
burg. Mr. H. was one of seven out of his company of 112 left at that
battle. He had sixty relatives in the company, all of whom were killed
or wounded, he himself being twice wounded. In 1863, after leaving
the army, he went to Colorado, New Mexico and Utah, returning to the
mines in Montana, from whence, after a few months, he visited Salt
Lake and Southern California. He was there engaged in mining, and,
in December, 1865, returned to Missouri, having been, on the whole,
quite successful in his enterprise, although meeting with one quite serious
loss. In 1865, he came to this (Holt) county, and now has 160 acres of
land, well improved, with an orchard of choice varieties of fruit. There
is upon the place some fine Berkshire hogs. Mr. Hunter was married
November 7, 1869, to Matilda F. Vaughn. She is the daughter of John
Vaughn, who was born in Virginia in 1787, and came to Missouri in
1855. Mr. and Mrs. H. have one child, Robert E. Lee, born August I,
1871, and have adopted one, Emma Frances, born in 1868. He is dem-
cratic in politics, and his religious sympathies are with the Christian
denomination. His father, Joseph Hunter was born in Franklin County,
Virginia', in 1797. In 1823, he married Miss Jane Bowles, in Kentucky,
and, in 1835, came to Clinton County, Missouri, settling near Haynes-
ville. After five years, he sold his claim, moved to Plattsburg and kept
the first hotel ever opened in that city. He remained there for five
years, when he disposed of his property, and moved to Hackberry
Ridge, Andrew County. Then he improved one of the best farms in
the county, and lived there until 1865, when he came to Holt County,
and purchased a desirable farm, which he afterwards sold to James
Ramsay, and bought 160 acres on section 11, where his son now (1882)
lives. Mr. Hunter died July 17, 1874, and Mrs. Hunter died October
18, 1845. They left seven children: Emily McCrorey, Josephine Sally,
Gallant V., Joseph S., Tolutha A. D., Elum E., and Henrietta Hines.
Mr. Hunter was Judge of Andrew County for many years, and it is said
by old citizens that his decisions were never reversed by higher courts.
He was a representative type of a Virginia gentleman — always affable
and honorable, and despised meanness in any form.
GEORGE MEYER,
one of the largest farmers of Holt County was born within three miles
of Mullheim Baden, Germany, March 5, 1827. His father, Andrew
Meyer, was a cabinet maker by trade, but followed the occupation of a
farmer. His mother's name before marriage was Mary Adolph. There
were nine children in the family, of whom the subject of this sketch was
the fifth. In 1834, when he was seven years old, the family emigrated
to America, landing in New York City and proceeding to Wayne County,
252 HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
Ohio. Mr. Meyer attended a common school very little during the ten
years the family lived there, but since then he has, by his own efforts,
become well qualified for business, and is a great lover of books and
reading. In 1844 his father removed with the family from Ohio to Mis-
souri, settling in Lewis Township, Holt County. He lived with his
father, and was engaged in farming till 1849, when, with hundreds of
others, he was seized with the gold fever, which pervaded the whole
country on receiving news of the wonderful discoveries of gold in Cali-
fornia. He was one of the first to leave Holt County for the Pacific coast.
He set out with his brother Andrew and Judge Mclntyre, and their
wagon was the first from Holt County to cross the Missouri, at Iowa
Point, the usual crossing point. They left the Iowa and Sac agency
May 1, 1849, and reached Hangtown,- California, the 13th of the follow-
ing August, beating other Holt County parties who started three days
later, by more than a month. In California he worked mostly on Amer-
ican River, part of the time within two miles of where Sutter & Marshall
first found gold. In September 1850, he returned home by the Isthmus
and New York route. Returning to Holt County, he was married April
3, i85i,toMiss Mary Ann Kunkel, daughter of Jacob Kunkel. Mrs.
Meyer is a native of Morrow County, Ohio, and came to Missouri in
1845. Mr. M. soon purchased the farm where he now resides, on sec-
tion 7. This was one of the first settled farms in the county, and the
site of the first store ever opened in Holt County. He. first purchased
160 acres in his home farm, and 80 in the timber. Subsequent to the
war he bought 270 acres more, and now has 1125 acres of land, 680 of
which are located in the upper part of the county. He has been engaged
in general farming, and feeds considerable stock. He is one of the pros-
perous citizens of the county, and enterprising and progressive in his
disposition. He has also made the raising of fruit a specialty, and
perhaps has one of the choicest orchards in the county. His display
has not only taken the premium at the Holt County fairs, but the $200
premium at the first grand exposition at St. Joseph, offered for the best
display of fruit, and open to the whole state. The extent of his farming
may be judged from the fact that in 1876 he raised 270 acres of corn,
averaging from forty to fifty bushels to the acre ; 950 bushels of fall
wheat, and 1,000 bushels of oats. He feeds generally from twenty-five to
fifty head of stock and 100 head of hogs a season. In his political affil-
iations he was formerly a Democrat, and in 1848 cast his first vote for
Lewis Cass. In i860 he voted for S. A. Douglas, with the hopes that
it would result in the election of Lincoln. He was a strong union man
through the war, served several times in the militia, and since the war
has been a decided Republican. He celebrated his silver wedding in
April 1876, and on that occasion had a family photograph taken, in
which appear Mr. and Mrs. Meyer and their nine children, all of whom
FORRES TOWNSHIP. 253
were living at home. The names of the children are : Jacob S., Julia
A., May Alice, Daniel, Peter, Fanny Ellen, Solomon, Ida and Ada, the
last two being twins. Mr. Meyer is a representative man, and his
influence as such and as a christian gentleman, is felt wherever he is
known. He has been a member of the German Methodist Church, at
Oregon, for the last twenty years, as has also his wife. His father and
mother are both buried in the Oregon cemetery. His daughter, Julia A.,
married John Blum, April 4, 1878, and died August 4, 1879. Jacob S.
married Caroline Blum, December 22, 1880, and moved to Sweet Water
County, Wyoming, where he has a sheep ranche.
LINNVILLE MURRAY,
section 9, was born in Indiana on the 9th of May, 1833, and is a son of
Hanson and Eliza (Brunson) Murray. The former, a nurseryman by
occupation, was a native of Virginia, and the latter of Indiana. Linn-
ville passed his youth in learning the nursery business with his father.
In 1869 he removed to Missouri, locating in Holt County, and now owns
twenty-three acres of land, devoted to the raising of fruit and a nursery.
Having been brought up in this industry he is well qualified forthe posi-
tion, and now has 1,100 trees of various kinds, with different assortments
of fruit, his transactions in this line being always honorable and just as
represented. Mr. M. was married, in 1S53, to Mary Carroll; of Pennsyl-
vania, daughter of James Carroll, Esq. They have a family of four chil-
dren : Lee Annie, Maud, James E. and Campbell. He is a Presbyterian,
and politically a Greenbacker.
NICHOLAS FREMONT MURRAY,
nurseryman and fruit grower, is the owner of 120 acres of land, and
resides on section 9. Eighty acres of his farm are devoted to fruit pur-
poses. He was born in Ohio County, Virginia, March 17, 1839, and was
from boyhood a close student of books and matters pertaining to nursery
and fruit culture. His father, Hanson Murray, was born August 11, 181 1,
in Virginia, was a nurseryman by calling, and brought up his sons to
learn the business. His mother was Eliza Brunson, born in Wayne
County, Indiana, in 1815. They were married in 1832. Hanson Murray
moved to Morgan County/Missouri, in 1863, and settled there, but find-
ing the location not suitable for the cultivation of fruit, he sold out in
1869, and came to this township, buying some land. He at once started
a nursery, and continued the business very successfully until 1877, when
he died, leaving his farm and nursery to his wife and children. Nicholas
F., the subject of this sketch, married Miss Emily F. Whitham, in Ohio
County, Virginia, November 6, i860. She died September 30, 1865,
254 HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
leaving one child, Jessie J., who is married to Charles Childers, in this
county. Mr. Murray's second wife was Elizabeth J. Riggle, whom he
married May 9, 1867, in Washington County, Pennsylvania. They have
five children living : Joseph H., George R., Minnie May, Alberta and
Norman F. In 1869, Mr. M. came to Holt County, bought a portion of
his father's farm, on section 9, and commenced work setting out a large
orchard of both apples and peaches, and since that time has been wholly
engaged in fruit culture and his nursery. In 1 87 1, he lost his house and
contents by fire. In 1876, his loss by grasshoppers was $4,000, which
almost discouraged him, but his enthusiasm for the business knew no
failure, so he again went to work. He has succeeded in establishing a
reputation and knowledge of fruit culture second to none in the state.
In November, 1879, the Murray Bros, took out a novel, and yet very useful,
patent for protecting fruit trees. Perhaps no location can be found better
adapted to all kinds of fruit, and a better climate and soil for raising
trees. Mr. M. has not only established a fame at home for horticultural
information, but his essays before the different horticultural societies
are considered excellent authority. Politically he is a Greenbacker, and
in religious views a Presbyterian.
ROBERT PATTERSON,
farmer and stock raiser, has 960 acres of land, and lives in section 4. He
was born in County Donegal, Ireland, October 4, 1830, and came to this
country with his father, settling where he now lives in 1842. In 1846,
when at the age of sixteen years, he enlisted in Col. Powell's Battalion
for the Mexican War, in Capt. Rogers company, of Savannah. They
were engaged for eighteen months building forts. At the close of the
war he received an honorable discharge and returned home. In 1852 he
went to California and engaged in farming in the Suisun Valley, where
he remained for four years, meeting with good success. He then came
back to the old homestead, and on November 17, 1857, he married Miss
Telitha Jane Kender, of Savannah, Mo. Her father was James Render,
Esq., an honored pioneer and citizen of Andrew Co. By this happy union
they have had ten children, nine of whom are still living : Alice, James
W., Bailey H., Robert L., John H., Annie E., George, William and Charles.
Kittie died in 1865. Alice was married to Louis F. Pointer, who died in
October, 8, 1880, leaving one child, Lulu May. In 1852, previous to his
brother John's journey to California, Mr. Robert Patterson bought the
old homestead, and after his marriage he commenced improving it. In
1858 he sold one of his quarter sections and bought one on the section
where he lived, and has been making additions and improvements until
now he has one among the largest and most valuable farms in Holt
County. His residence, and the buildings connected, with his large
FORBES TOWNSHIP. 255
barn, are among the most desirable and convenient to be found any-
where. His orchard of fine fruits of all kinds is worthy of more than a
passing notice. He has 1,100 apple trees, 300 peach, etc., etc. Mr. P.
has grown up in this neighborhood, and has done much by his labor and
means to improve the county. His father, William Patterson, was born
in the north of Ireland, in 1799, and was brought up a farmer, following
that occupation on a large scale. Becoming satisfied that the great
west was the place for his large family of children, he came to this
country, in 1842, and settled in Forbes Township, pre-empting 160 acres
on section 5. He only lived one year and a-half after this, when he died
in the fall of 1844. Mrs. P. had died in the winter of 1842, very soon
after arriving in America. Her maiden name was Catharine Lucas.
She was born in the north of Ireland, and at the time of her death was
fifty-five years old. They had nine children, Margaret, Phillip, Henry,
Eliza, Blair, Isabella, Jackson, William G. and Robert.
JOSEPH B. PROCTOR,
deceased, was born in Cooper County, Missouri, December 22, 1822.
His father was John Proctor, born in Kentucky, in 1800, and his mother
was formerly Lydia Westbrook. Mr. P. came to Missouri in 1820 and
settled in Cooper County, and at a very early day moved to this county,
being one of the first to settle on the bottoms and make a farm. In
1847 Joseph B. went to Oregon and remained a short time, and in 1849,
when the gold fever broke out in California, he went there and remained
two years. He came home, and the next year returned to the land of
gold, staying one year. By this time he had secured enough money to
buy 1 1 1 acres of his large farm, and commenced work, making many
additions to his original purchase. He continued its improvement,
erected a very large residence, and very few farmers were financially
stronger than he. He had set out all kinds of fruit, and was preparing
to pass the remainder of his life in comfort, when, in February, 1881, he
died. He married Miss Elizabeth A. Minton, of Franklin County, Missouri,
in 1855. They had five children, all of who are living : Elizabeth Jane,
Sarah Ann, John H., William L., and Ruth A., who married Robert
Victor Hudgins, of this county, June 6, 1 881. He was born in Ken-
tucky, and afterwards came to this county, obtaining a good education.
He has been employed for some time in teaching, and is now reading
law, preparing for the practice of that profession. Mr. P. was a mem-
ber of the Fourteenth Kansas Volunteer Infantry for two years durkig
the war, and received an honorable discharge. He was a Republican
and belonged to the Christian Church. The widow and sons are now
conducting the farm; this is situated in section 36, and contains 440
acres.
256 HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
JAMES W. RAMSAY,
farmer and stock raiser, section 4, was born in Hancock County, Indiana,
June 17, 1838, and in 1841 came to this county and township with his
father, locating on the farm which the Murray brothers now own. He
was brought up to hard work and enjoyed but little school advantages.
May 6, 1862, he married Miss Sarah O. Jackson, of Oregon, the daughter
of John F. Jackson, of this county, formerly of Fayette County, Penn-
sylvania. Mr. J. was the third school commissioner of this county, and
was a capable man and most efficient officer. Mrs. R.'s mother, whose
maiden name was Nancy Cannon, was born in Pennsylvania, and now
lives with her daughter, Mrs. Kreak. Mr. Jackson died May 13, 1862.
Their family consisted of four children. John F., Mary B., Nancy E. and
James O. Mr. Ramsey was in the state service for several months dur-
ing the war. He afterwards rented a farm for three years, and obtained
money enough to make the first payment on the farm where he now
lives, and by great energy and good judgment on the part of himself and
wife they have paid for the farm, built a good residence and made many
improvements, now owning340 acres of land. Twenty years ago he com-
menced a poor boy and has so managed his business that he now is one of
the leading, successful and reliable men of this county. His orchard con-
sists of 500 trees, with a variety of fruit. In politics he is a Republican and
the family are Methodists. Thomas Ramsay, his father, was born in Penn-
sylvania, in i8oi,and came to Indiana, where he settled and remained
until he came to this state and township, in 1841. Here he improved a fine
farm and did much for the opening of this new settlement. He married
Miss Mary Beck, in Indiana, December 16, 1824. They had fourteen chil-
dren, seven of whom are living : Mary Jane, Sarah E., Matilda, Panenah,
James W., Roley T. and William H. Mr. Ramsay died June 13, 1878, and
Mrs. R. September 15, 1872. No man among the pioneers of this county
had more friends than Mr. R., he having been a friend to all.
JOHN A. ROSS,
merchant, was born in Harrison County, Ohio, January 25, 1853, and in
1858 accompanied his father to Lawrence County, Indiana, there receiv-
ing a good education. In the spring of 1870 he came to Holt County
and worked on a farm one year, after which he was employed by Sheeley
& Taylor as clerk. He remained as such for five years, when he formed
a copartnership with George Meyer in the spring of 1875. This connec-
tion existed until August, 1880, when George C. Smith, of St. Joseph,
bought the interest of Mr. Meyer, and since that time the business has
been conducted under the firm name of J. A. Ross & Co. Mr. Ross
commenced here without a dollar, but his kindness of disposition and
FORBES TOWNSHIP. 257
strict integrity soon gave him hosts of friends. He has acquired a
prominent position among the best business men of the county. His
general stock of merchandise is large and complete. Mr. Ross married
Lucretia Devorss, of this village, December 6, 1874. She was the
daughter of Levi Devorss, one of the early pioneers of the county.
They are rearing one boy, Bertie.
HARRISON RUSSEL,
deceased, was born in Clarke County, Ohio, July 22, 1822, and was the
son of Robert and Winifred (Hinson) Russel, both natives of Kentucky.
The father was a farmer by occupation, and Harrison spent his youth in
working on the farm and in attending school. In 1852, he removed to
Missouri, locating in Holt County, and here improved a fine farm of 255
acres, in section 5, where his family now reside. During the war, Mr. R
was a member of the state militia. He was Republican in his political
views, and religiously a Methodist. August 2, 1852, he married Eleanor
Vandivere, daughter of Arthur Vandivere, of Warren County, Ohio.
They had three children : Arthur, born April 6, 1852 ; Alia J., born
October 29, 1856, and Sidney M., born October 29, 1868. Mr. Russel
died on the 8th of July, 1876. He was a man governed only by motives
of right, a good neighbor and friend of all. He was very successful in
his business, always managing it satisfactorily. At his death he left a
good farm, which is being conducted by his son, Arthur, in an able
manner. The latter is an industrious young man, and faithful in the
the discharge of his duties.
JOSIAH SPRINGER,
deceased, was born in Butler County, Ohio, November 1, 1805. His
father, Nathan Springer, a native of Pennsylvania, moved his family to
Franklin County, Indiana, where he lived until 1845, when he came to
this county and settled on the farm now occupied by his son. This was
then an unfavorable looking site for a home, but by hard work and cul-
tivation Mr. S. made a productive farm, and his improvements com-
pared favorably with the majority of the best farms of the county. He
married Miss Julia Ann Lympus in Fayette County, Indiana, February
7, 1828. She was born in Butler County, Ohio, March 30, 181 1. Of
this union there are nine children living : Martha, Nathan L., Jonathan,
Phoebe Price, J. Squear, Julia Linley, Mary L. Gardner, Wilson Riley,
and William A. Mr. Springer died April 4, 1861. In politics he was a
Republican, and belonged to the Christian Church. Mrs. Springer's
father was of English origin and her mother of German descent. Mr.
Springer was one of a few who during life did good to all and made
17
258 HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
society and the world with which he came in contact better for his hav-
ing lived. His son, William A. Springer, was born April 23, 18S4. He
was married December 25, 1879, to Miss Laura Dooley, of Oregon.
They have one child, Elsie, born April n, 1881. They both belong to
the Christian Church. Politically he is a Republican. He has pur-
chased the homestead of 200 acres in section 6, is taking care of his
mother and is one of the progressive, intelligent young farmers of the
county.
WILLIAM STEPHENSON
was born in Culpeper County, Virginia, in March, 1789. His father was
a native of Ireland, and his mother of France. In June, 1840, he moved
to Holt County, Missouri, with his family of fifteen children, and settled
in section 7, on the farm where his son John now lives. He was a very
stout, athletic man, and one honored by the pioneers of this county.
He was democratic in politics, and a member of the Baptist Church.
His marriage occurred in Virginia, in 1813, to Margaret Troutman,
daughter of Peter Troutman, of German origin. They had fifteen chil-
dren : Luvisa Baldwin, Blank S., Peter, Susanah, wife of George Baxter,
who was the first tailor in Oregon, William, John F., Alexander, Marga-
ret A. Hindman, Nancy J. Hindman, James, Michel A., Eliza, Rebecca
Collins, Sarah Hutton and Rachel Price. Mr. and Mrs. S. were the
parents of the first settlers of Holt County, and died on the place which
was first settled by Peter, their son, in 1838. Mr. S. died in 1842, and
his wife in 1864.
JOHN STEPHENSON,
farmer and stock raiser, is the owner of 1,030 acres of land, his residence
being on section 7. He was born in Bond County, Illinois, August 16,
1825, and came to Missouri, locating in this county and township, and
on his present farm, in June, 1840, his brother, Peter, having settled on
the claim in March, 1838. The latter had come here with another
brother by the name of Blank, who settled on an adjoining claim, which
George Meyer now owns. These two brothers were the two first settlers
of Holt County. In 1846, John enlisted in Company C, of General
Price's regiment, and went into the Mexican war, remaining in service
until the war closed, a period of some eighteen months, and was with
General Fremont for a portion of the time. On his return home he pur-
chased a farm and improved it. In March, 185 1, he married Miss Mar-
garet Russel, daughter of John Russel, one of the earliest pioneers of
the county. They have six children : George S., Robert S., Tresa,
Dora E., Bertha L. and Anna Lee. In 1863, he bought the old home-
stead of his brother, Peter, who then moved to Dade County, Missouri.
Mr. John Stephenson now has one of the best farms of its class in the
FORBES TOWNSHIP. 259
county. Everything is conducted in good shape, and he farms on a
large scale. Few men there are, indeed, who commenced life with
nothing, and who have accumulated such a competency. He is reliable
in his transactions, and is worthy of the position he occupies. In poli-
tics he is a Democrat, and in religion a Universalist.
WILLIAM D. TAYLOR,
section 17, was born in Coshocton County, Ohio, on the 19th of January,
1816, and was the son of William Taylor, a tanner by occupation, and a
native of Hampshire County, Virginia. His mother, whose name before
her marriage was Casander Davidson, was born in Clarksburg, Virginia.
When William was an infant his father died, and his mother marrying
again, he was brought up by his step-father, working hard and receiving
but a limited education. On October 25, 1843, ne came to Missouri, and
the same day located in Holt County. He was an early settler here, and
passed through many hardships in opening a farm. He formerly owned
the land where Forbes is located, and now possesses considerable bot-
tom land adjoining the village, his landed interests altogether consisting
of 640 acres. He is a leader among the agriculturists of this neighbor-
hood. His farms are well improved, and he has a good residence. The
orchards upon his own and his son's farms, contain 1,400 trees. Mr. T.
started in life poor, but by hard labor has gained a fortune. His mother
came from Ohio and lived with him for several years, when, in 1870, she^
died. He has been three times married : First, in Hampshire County,
Virginia, in 1837, to Hannah Taylor, who died in 1844, leaving two
children, Casander and Daniel B. In 1845 he was married in Hardin
County, Virginia, to Nancy Jane Jones. She departed this life in 1859.
Of this union there are six children : John E., Mary, Sarah M., Sattara,
Rovvena and Barbara. Mr. T.'s third marriage occurred in i860, in this
county, to Margaret Vaughn. Barbara was married to James Cordy,
who lives at the homestead and works the farm. Politically is demo-
cratic, and belongs to the Protestant Methodist Church. Mr. Taylor
tells a snake story, which is vouched for by the old settlers and those
acquainted with the facts. One day in early spring he discovered a den
of rattlesnakes, together with other varieties, some being very large.
Procuring a club he killed three hundred, and the next morning visited
the place and disposed of fifty. Some time afterwards he found a coil
as large as a half-bushel measure, and killed these also.
ADELBERT G. YOUNG,
physician and druggist, was born in Kankakee County, Illinois, April 10,
1852. His father, John D. Young, was born in Terre Haute, Indiana,
and was a farmer by calling. His mother, whose maiden name was Cor-
26o HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
intha Enos, was born in Ohio. A. G.'s youth was spent in Iowa, where
he received his education, at Wittensburg academy, of Jasper County.
In December 1869 he came to Buchanan County, Missouri, and was
engaged for several years as a successful teacher. He studied medicine
with Dr. C. F. Knight, of St. Joseph, and was graduated from the Hos-
pital Medical College, of St. Joseph, in February, 1880. In 1877 he settled
in Forbes, taught the school there for several terms, and subsequently
started the drug business, also soon having a large and successful prac-
tice. He is a member of the Northwestern Medical Society, of Missouri,
and belongs to the Masonic Lodge of Oregon. He is a Democrat in
politics. Dr. Young married Miss Laura E. Larkin, of St. Joseph,
October 24, 1878. She was a daughter of B. F. Larkin, for many years
a contractor and builder in St. Joseph. Mrs. Young died April 2, 1881,
leaving one child, which soon after died. Mrs. Young left a large circle
of friends to mourn her loss. The Dr. is quite studious and determined
to keep pace with the advancement of medical science.
CHAPTER XI.
HICKORY TOWNSHIP.
HICKORY TOWNSHIP-BOUNDARIES— EARLY SETTLERS— NICKOLS GRAVE-FIRST SCHOOL
HOUSE— FIRST PREACHER-FIRsT PHYSICIAN, ETC.— FIRST MILL— DUNKARD
CHURCH— NEW POINT — CHURCH —WATER — SHORT HORNS —ORCHARDS— BIO-
GRAPHICAL.
BOUNDARIES.
On the 17th day of June, 1874, the present municipal division of
Holt County, known as Hickory Township, was created. Its limits, which
had been previously included in the southern part of Clay and in the
northern part of Nodaway Township, are thus described in the record of
its organization :
" Commencing at a point where Oiler's Base Line intersects the Nod-
away River, thence west on said line to the southwest corner of section
35, township 61, range 38, thence north on section line dividing sections
34 and 35, up to and passing along line dividing sections 2 and 3 to the
township line dividing townships 61 and 62, thence due east on the town-
ship line until it intersects the Nodaway River to the place of begin-
ning— said township to be known as Hickory Township, and place of
voting to be Fairview School House."
It is bounded on the north by Clay Township, on the east by Andrew
County, from which it is separated by the Nodaway River, on the south
by Nodaway and Lewis Townships, and on the west by Benton Town-
ship.
EARLY SETTLERS.
We have already stated that the first settlers of Holt County, Peter
and Blank Stephenson, arrived in the spring of 1838, and established
themselves in what is now Forbes Township, near the present lines of
Lewis and Nodaway Townships; and, further, on excellent authority, that
jon the arrival, with several others, in the fall of the same year, of R. H.
(Russel, present judge of the Probate Court of Holt County, these two
brothers were the only white settlers living west of the Nodaway River.
It appears, however, that there is a difference of opinion touching the
correctness of the latter statement, it being contended by some that
about the period of the arrival of the Stephensons, or immediately sub-
262 HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
sequent thereto, three brothers by the name of Nickols had crossed the
Nodaway and effected a settlement in a locality to which they gave the
present accepted name of Nickols Grove, in the southern part of what is
now Hickory and extending southwards into the northern part of the
present Nodaway Township. It is probable that the period elapsing
between the arrivals of the two bands of settlers was very brief, and that
they were for some time afterwards ignorant of each other's presence in
the country.
At some time during the year 1838, it is generally conceded, Robert
Nickols, the pioneer, arrived from Virginia and settled on the northeast
quarter of section 33, township 61, range 37, near the northeast corner of
which now stands the flourishing hamlet of North Point, one of the most
prosperous and active business centers of its size in this country. This
quarter section is now owned by J. Ruhl and others.
NICKOLS' GROVE.
Nickols' Grove, in the immediate vicinity of the village, lies along
the waters of Nickols' Creek. The main body of the timber is in the
southeast corner of the township and extends, as before stated, into Nod-
away Township, to the southward. That portion of the grove lying in
Hickory includes an area equivalent to about two and a half square miles,
and abounds in some of the finest specimens of the valuable timber pecu-
liar to this section of country. With the exception of occasional groves
of smaller extent most of the territory included within the limits of Hick-
ory Township is prairie. Robert Nickols, shortly after, induced his
brothers, Frank and John, his mother and his brother-in-law, J. Kelley,
to move to and settle in this section of country. John Nickols died of
cholera, on his way to California in the early days of the gold fever.
Emigration from the older states and settled portions of Missouri flowed
to the neighborhood of the Stephenson settlement, six or seven miles
farther south, but it was some time before these early settlers of the
Grove, of whom A. C. Bevan was also one, had any neighbors. In 1840,
Isaac Long, from Ohio, settled in the neighborhood. Hiram Schotzer
and Zach Winkler, both from Pennsylvania, arrived in the neighborhood
and there settled between 1840 and 1845. These both subsequently I
moved to California. John B. Ish came in an early day to the neighbor-
hood, from Saline County, Missouri, whither he afterwards returned and j
where, if still living, he continues to reside. He settled the magnificentl
farm adjoining New Point, and now owned by John G. Cowan. Among
others also came Cain Owens, from Kentucky, and Jacob Ham, a Ten-
nesseean, who had come to the settlement from Saline County. Both
are dead. In 1845, Thomas S. Bragg, Esq., a native of Virginia, who had
moved to Harrison County, Kentucky, came to Missouri, in 1845, and
HICKORY TOWNSHIP. 263
settled the splendid farm on which he now resides, in the neighborhood of
New Point. This farm was settled by Hiram Shartzer, in 1843. In the
same year, also, came Andrew Pope and Lapsley Embree, from Lincoln
County, Kentucky. The former now (1882) resides in Clay County, Mis-
souri. The latter died in Arkansas, in 1880. Daniel Hudson, from
Pulaski County, Kentucky, who died some years ago, was also a well-
known citizen of Holt County. He came to the neighborhood in 1845.
With the exception of Thomas S. Bragg, Esq., all the above men-
tioned are either dead or have moved away. Among other old settlers
may be mentioned Michael and James DeBolt, John, Joseph and Noble
Hodgins, Robert Morris and Captain Peter Price
FIRST SCHOOL HOUSE.
The first school house built within the limits of what is now
Hickory Township was a rude frame building, erected in the year 1846.
It stood on the southeast quarter of section 29, township 61, range 37,
on a farm now owned by John G. Cowan. The first who taught in this
building was a man by the name of Elmer, a New Yorker by birth.
This primitive temple of the muses has long been numbered with the
things of the past, and its memory scarcely survives in the minds of the
remaining few who had any personal knowledge of its existence.
FIRST PREACHER.
The first to preach the gospel in this locality was the Rev. Jacob
Bird, of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He began his labors there in
1845. His field was in that early day an extensive one ; and, though
church edifices by the members of his denomination were early created
in other parts of the county, no building was ever put up by them within
the bounds of Hickory Township. In that day of sparse population
almost any ordinary cabin was sufficiently commodious for the demands
of the small congregations who assembled to hear the occasional
expounders of the Word ; and, as population increased, the shady
groves afforded, in the summer season, shelter for the camp meetings
which constituted, in that day, a prominent feature in the religious life
of the early settlers.
The first of these assemblies to occur in this locality was held in
the summer of 1857, on a farm occupying section 32, township 61, range
37. at that time the property of Esquire Bragg, but now (1882) owned
by his son-in-law. The presiding elder at this meeting was the Rev.
Mr. Ashby, assisted by the Rev. W. Naylor, and other itinerant minis-
ters. These assemblies continued for many years after to maintain
their popularity. In 1877, 1878 and 1879 largely attended camp meet-
ings were held on section 33, township 61, range 37, in Nickols Grove.
264 HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
FIRST PHYSICIAN, ETC.
The first physician to locate in the Grove was Dr. Dozier, who
settled there in 1845. He was formerly from Andrew County. Pre-
vious to that period, however, Dr. Norman, the pioneer physician of the
county, and Dr. W. W. Wittington, from Andrew County, had extended
their practice to the settlements in and about Nickol's Grove.
The first blacksmith to pursue his calling in what afterwards became
Hickory Township, was Henry Honaker, a native of Virginia. He com-
menced business in 1854, in a shop which he had put up on the north-
west quarter of section 9, township 61, range 37. Mr. Honaker was a
Southern sympathizer, and, in consequence of his opinions, was assas-
sinated in the spring of 1863.
THE FIRST MILL.
The first mill in the township was a small concern with one pair of
burrs, built by John N. Blair, for Robert Nickols, about the year 1839 or
1840. It was a water power, and stood on the northwest quarter of sec-
tion 34, township 61, range 37, about one-half mile east of the site of the
present village of New Point. The only grain ground at this mill was
corn. It continued to be operated till 1857. There is now (1882) no
mill within the limits of Hickory Township.
The first ferry on the Nodaway River which had a landing on the
shore of what is now Hickory Township, was established and maintained
for several years by a man by the name of Lackey, from Andrew County.
The landing of this ferry was on a farm now (1882) owned by Samuel
Praisewater, near the line between the southeast quarter of section 27,
and the southwest quarter of section 26, township 61, range 37, about
one-half mile north of the site of the present town of New Point. Henry
DeBolt afterwards kept a ferry on southwest quarter of section 27, town-
ship 61, range 37, about one-half mile above the old ferry, before i860.
This latter was about 1861. Both have long passed out of existence.
The first to plant fruit trees in Hickory Township was Esquire
Thomas S. Bragg, who planted an apple orchard on his farm, which lies
in section 32, township 61, range 37, in the immediate neighborhood of
New Point. This pioneer orchard, which included about fifty trees, was
planted about the year 1847. Some of the finest orchards in the county
are now growing in Hickory Township.
The erection of church edifices is a recent enterprise in Hickory
Township, though religious organizations have existed there from the
earliest settlement of the county. The first ecclesiastical structure put
up in the township was the Dunkard Church, near the southwest corner
of the northwest quarter of township 61, range 31, near the west line of
the township.
HICKORY TOWNSHIP. 265
DUNKARD CHURCH.
On the northwest quarter of section 14, township 61, range 38,
within the limits of Hickory Township, and near the dividing line
between it and Benton Township, is a neat frame church building, thirty-
five by fifty feet area, with an extension sixteen feet square. This is
popularly known as the Dunkard Church. It was built in 1874 by Levi
Kauffman and Isaac Zigler, contractors, assisted by other workmen. Its
cost was about $1,800. The congregation was organized as a church in
February, 1872, with the following members, thirty-six in number : A.
J. Correll and wife, Joseph Glick and wife, Samuel Glick and wife, Joel
Glick and wife, Jonathan Andes and wife, Isaac Zigler and wife, Joseph
Kauffman and wife, Levi Kauffman and wife, William Griffith and wife,
James Judy and wife, David Keller and wife, John Shamberger and wife,
John H. Miller, Joseph Hilderbrand, Susan Andes, William G. Andes,
Jane Parmer, Mary Hilderbrand, Mary Kauffman, Mrs. Susan Glick,
Isaac Wampler and wife, Anna Andes and Solomon G. Snell. This
organization is styled Bethel, and the name of the meeting house Beth-
lehem. Of the above named organizers, in the language of one of their
ministers : " Some have gone to their reward while others have moved
to other countries, until of the original members scarcely one half now
(1882) remain identified with the congregation." The church is pros-
pering abundantly, and increasing in numbers. In May, 1878, the con-
gregation divided, and a large number being in Nodaway County, a
church was there organized. The church in Holt County has no organ-
ization other than Bethel, of which there are, at present, five ministers,
viz : John H. Miller, Joseph Glick, Joel Glick, Peter E. Whitmer and
Reuben Keller. The organization includes some of the best citizens of
Holt County.
The first election of officers held in Hickory Township occurred
November 3, 1874, and resulted in the choice of Thomas Wright and W.
S. Allen as justices of the peace, and Robert Hester, constable. The
only town and post office in Hickory Township is
NEW POINT.
The town is located near the west side of the northwest quarter of
section 33, township 61, range 37. A portion of the village also lies in
the east part of the northwest quarter of the same, the half section line
passing along the center of the principal street. The south limits of
the village extend to the waters of Nickol's Creek, the principal stream
ol the township. The town was first started by L. D. Barnes, the
founder of the town, and the pioneer merchant of the place, who com-
menced selling goods there, in a building which he had erected for that
266 HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
purpose, in 1869. In 1875, in consequence of another of the same name
having been previously established, the name of the town and post
office, which had originally been called Grant, was changed, and the
present style, New Point, was substituted therefor. About the same
period, Jerry Stultz started his blacksmith shop, the first established in
the place. He still operates it.
In 1871, B. F. Wilson, the present (1882) druggist, originally from
the State of Indiana, established the first and only drug store in the town.
In the same year, James Barnes started a wagon shop. He continued to
manufacture till 1876, when he sold out to his brother, C. F. Barnes, who
continued the business till 1880, when he sold to E. S. McDonald, the
present wagon maker. Mr. Barnes then, in partnership with Joseph R.
Collison, purchased, under the firm name of Barnes & Collison, the good
will and stock in trade of the pioneer merchant, L. D. Barnes, and have
since continued to conduct the business at the old stand.
In 1872, B. F. Chandler started a blacksmith shop in New Point.
This, in 1876, he sold to J. B. Coffin, the present smith. In 1874, John
P. Ruhl, started a millinery establishment in the place. During the fol-
lowing year, he added, in an adjoining room, a stock of general mer-
chandise. Both these enterprises he continues to pursue.
The first boot and shoe shop in the village was started by Davis
Brodbeck, in 1878. He was succeeded in this business by H. Armack,
after whom came the present boot and shoemaker, William Kunkel.
In 1876, Aaron Cole opened a general stock of merchandise. In
the following year, he sold out to his brother, G. W. Cole, who contin-
ued the business till 1880, when he sold to the present proprietor, A.
Swartz, a native of Ohio, and went to work at the carpenter's trade.
Frederick Meister and Ulrich Burger, under the firm style of Meister
& Burger, started in 1875, a general store, which they conducted till the
spring of 1881. They now run a tin shop in New Point. G. W. Cole
and John Lautz are the carpenters of the place, the latter having been
ten years in the business there.
The first physician to locate at New Point was Dr. William Parrish,
who settled in the town in 187 1. He moved away in 1874, and was suc-
ceeded by Dr. Bryson, who, in turn, was succeeded by Dr. Reeves. On
retiring, Dr. E. W. Burtch established himself in the practice of medi-
cine. He was succeeded by the present physicians of the town, Dr.
James Ashworth and Dr. J. R. Kearney. The latter is a native of Ohio,
and a graduate of the Medical College of St. Louis and of Bellevue Hos-
pital Medical College, New York.
There is no school within the limits of the town of New Point.
Nickols' Grove District School, however, is only about three-quarters of
a mile distant, in a northwesterly direction.
HICKORY TOWNSHIP. 267
CHURCH.
New Point contains one of the neatest and most elegantly appointed
country churches in the state. It is the property of the Old School
Presbyterians. The building is a gothic frame, thirty feet front by forty-
five feet deep, and is crowned with a belfry. The windows are of stained
glass of elegant design, and the whole presents a very attractive appear-
ance. The interior appointments of the church are even more elaborate
than the external finish, and are strikingly neat and harmonious in their
proportions. A handsome organ and elegant chandeliers are included
in the same. The edifice was completed in October, 1877, at a cost °f
about two thousand dollars, largely through the liberal aid of John G.
Cowan, who donated the ground on which it stands.
New Point Presbyterian Church was first organized in Cowan's
School House, near New Point, on the 2d day of September, 1872, and
styled Hope Church. The Rev. Robert Cruikshanks, D. D., conducted
the organization, and preached the first sermon. The Rev. N. H. Smith,
first pastor of the congregation was also present. The following mem-
bers composed the original organization : John G. Cowan and Mary
E. Cowan, his wife, B. O. Cowan, Mrs. Elizabeth Gresham, John Meyer
and wife, V. L. and Hannah Graham, William and Sarah Coburn,
and Samuel G. Park. The first officers elected were Elders John
G. Cowan and John Meyer. The congregation continued to worship in
Cowan's School House, from the period of their organization in 1872, up
to the period of the completion of the church edifice, in October 1877.
In November, 1877, the dedication services of the church were conducted
by the Rev. Duncan Brown, of Mound City. The pastors in charge of
the church from its origin to the present time have been as follows :
Rev. N. H. Smith, September, 1872 ; Rev. J. O. Pierce, June, 1876 ; Rev.
George Miller, October, 1876 ; Rev. W. E. Williamson, D. D., January,
1882.
WATER.
Hickory Township is a well watered, sufficiently timbered, and
an excellently improved district of the county. The principal streams
of the township are Nickols Creek and Hickory Creek. The former is a
stream of occasionally sufficient volume to afford mill power. This
stream debouches into Nodaway River, near the northwest corner of the
southeast quarter of section 27, township 61, range 37. Nearly parallel
with this, and about two miles north, is Hickory Creek, flowing also in
a southeasterly course, and emptying into Nodaway River on the south-
east quarter of section 22, township 61, range 61, on land owned by
Hershner Brothers. The mouth of this stream is about three-fourths of
a mile due north of the mouth of Nickols Creek, and about one mile by
268 HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
the winding of the river. Hog Creek, in the extreme northern part of
Hickory Township, flows in an easterly direction towards the Nodaway,
forming a swamp or lake near the banks of that stream, and known as
Lovelady Lake. Kimsey Creek rises in the northwestern part of Hickory
Township, in section n, township 61, range 38, and flows about two
miles south and west into Benton Township. Innumerable springs and
spring branches abound, affording ample stock water in all parts of the
township.
SHORT HORNS.
John G. Cowan, the pioneer short horn breeder of the Platte Pur-
chase, and the owner of several valuable farms in Holt County, resides
in the immediate vicinity of New Point. His home place, which
includes 617 acres, is one of the best improved in the country. In the
fall of 1842, he moved from Kentucky, his native state, to Lafayette
County, Missouri ; thence, in 1843, to Andrew County, Missouri. In
1858 he settled in the neighborhood of Graham, in Nodaway County.
In March, 1866, he moved to Holt and settled on his present home, in
what is now Hickory Township, on the farm formerly owned by John B.
Ish. His residence stands on the southwest quarter of section 28, town-
ship 61, range 37 west. There are several fine apple orchards on this
farm. The one adjoining the lawn of his residence contains a number
of trees unequaled in size in the state, several of them measuring from
six to six and a half feet in girth, and containing in their trunks and
branches not less than two cords of wood. These giant trees are uni-
form and strikingly symmetrical in appearance, and produce immense
yields of some of the finest varieties of fruit. The feature, however,
for which this farm is especially noted is the magnificent herd of Short
Horn Durham cattle always found here. In 1868, Mr. Cowan made his
first importation of this valuable breed of live stock from Kentucky.
The year previous to this he had imported a short horn bull from Illi-
nois. The bull which he brought from Kentucky in the winter of 1868
and 1869 was Knight of Saint George, registered in A. H. B., No. 8,473,
and bred by William Duncan, of Illinois. In 1870 he brought fifteen
head of these cattle from Ohio. In 1872 he purchased for the sum of
three thousand dollars of William Warfield, of Lexington, Kentucky,
the celebrated bull, Loudon Duke the Sixth, 10,399 A. H. B. For
this splendid specimen, which weighed 2,300 pounds, he afterwards
refused four thousand dollars, and subsequently four thousand five hun-
dred dollars. Wherever exhibited he took premiums. These places
of exhibition included all the principal fairs in Missouri, as well as the
state lairs of Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Kansas, and Nebraska.
The premiums which he took in his lifetime, amounted in number to
upwards of fifty. His numerous progeny were scarcely less noted as
HICKORY TOWNSHIP. 269
premium takers. Prominent among these was Loudon's Minnie, a red
heifer, which was exhibited at the Centennial in Philadelphia, and was
awarded the gold medal.
Loudon Duke- the Sixth, died April 14, 1881, at the age of eleven
years, and was buried in his lot. From the pioneer herd started by John
G. Cowan, many of the best herds in the west have derived their origin.
His present (1882) herd includes between sixty and seventy head of
thoroughbreds, at the head of which is Bel Duke of Thorndale, A. S. H.
R., 8148, assisted by Loudon, Jr., A. S. H., 8888. B. O. Cowan, second
son of the pioneer breeder, has been associated in the Short Horn busi-
ness with his father since 188 1.
There is in Hickory Township another herd of Short Horns. This
includes about twenty-five head, the property of Esquire Bragg, above
referred to. They were purchased from the Hamiltons, of Kentucky, at
their sales in Kansas City in 1879 and 1880.
ORCHARDS.
Nearly every farm in Hickory Township has its apple orchard.
Grapes and other fruits also abound. Not a few farmers here, as in
neighboring townships, manufacture several barrels of Concord wine
yearly, for their own use. The largest apple orchard in Hickory is on a
farm owned and occupied by John W. Davis, including the southwest
quarter of section 9, township 61, range 37.
The Lackey road, which ran through Hickory township, was that
part of a main traveled highway, which led from Jackson's Point (now
Mound City) to Lackey's Ferry, on the Nodaway, and was on the line
of the great thoroughfare leading from St. Joseph to Council Bluffs.
Lackey's Ferry was established by Andrew Lackey, and has since been
\ called the Thrailkill Ferry, and subsequently the Praisewater Ferry.
Lackey afterwards located a short distance below the ferry and estab-
lished a trading post and saloon, which was frequented by nearly all the
1 trappers who ranged through the upper country.
270 HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
^-BIOGRAPHICAL.^
JAMES ASHWORTH, M. D.,
was born on the 12th of July, 1849, m England, and was the son of
Robert and Hannah (Fletcher) Ashworth, who were also natives of that
country. James received a liberal education in England, and for about
six years previous to coming to the United States, he was engaged in
book keeping. In 1869, he landed on American soil, and subsequently
studied medicine under Dr. Cavanaugh, of Lamar Station, an early
practitioner of Nodaway County, after which he attended the Medical
College of Cincinnati. From this institution he was graduated in medi-
cine and surgery in 1878. Dr. A. first commenced the practice of his
profession in Nodaway County, but soon came to Holt County and set-
tled at New Point, where he now has a large and increasing patronage.
He was married May 1, 1872, in Nodaway County, to Louisa Campbell,
daughter of H. D. Campbell, Esq. T.he doctor is independent in politics,
and is a member of the Christian Church.
ALLEN T. BLOOMER,
section 29, was born in Fayette County, Ohio, November 8, 1828. His
father, Joseph, was born in Virginia, but moved to and was one of the
leading men of Fayette Co., Ohio, he having served as sheriff for four
terms. He lived to be seventy-two years of age, dying at his residence,
in that county, in 1859. Allen's mother, formerly Mary McDonald, was
a native of Ohio. Young Bloomer spent his youth on his father's farm,
and attended the common schools. In 1855, he removed from Ohio to
Illinois, where he resided until November, 1865, when he came to Holt
County. He located near where he now resides, and at this time (1882)
is the owner of 365 acres of land, upon which is an orchard of 150
apple and 150 peach trees, besides cherries, pears and plums. Mr. B.
devotes considerable attention to the raising of Short Horn cattle and
Poland China hogs. He was married August 12, 1852, in Fayette
County, Ohio, to Mary Baker, daughter of Watson Baker. She is a
native of Ohio. They have three children : Joseph W., born May 16,
1853 : Lida (wife of Dr. J. R. Kearney, of New Point,) born October 3,
1858, and Ada, born June 25, 1870. Mr. B. is Republican in politics.
HICKORY TOWNSHIP. 2J\
WILLIAM COBURN,
section 30, a leading farmer of this township, was born October 6, 1831,
in Warren County, Ohio, his parents, John and Zilphia (Sayres) Coburn,
both being natives of that county. In 185 1 the family moved to Shelby
County, Indiana, but after remaining for two years, located in Minnesota.
There they made their home for thirteen years, and in the spring of 1868
came to Holt County. The subject of this sketch passed his earlier
days on the farm, and in attending the common schools. He now owns
240 acres of land, upon the same there being a good bearing orchard of
140 apple and 500 peach trees, besides other fruit. Mr. Coburn has
some graded cattle, and devotes much attention to feeding stock. Dur-
ing the war, for two years, he was a member of the Second Minnesota
Cavalry. In his political views he is Republican, and is a member of
the Presbyterian Church. Mr. C. was married October 5, 1853, in Miami
County, Indiana, to Sarah E. Vandoren, daughter of Jacob Vandoren.
She is a native of Preble County, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. C. have eight
children : Martha E., (now Mrs. Peter Comer) born October 16, 1854 ;
Nellie F., (wife of Robert Emmerson) born April 19, 1857; Alvin, born
April 6, 1859; William V., born March 31, 1865 ; Susan V., born January
26, 1868 ; Ralph L., born March 10, 1871 ; M. Roberta, born November
20, 1874, and Cora M., born February 15, 1877.
JOHN G. COWAN,
farmer, stock feeder and breeder of Short Horn cattle, section 6, was born
in Pulaski County, Kentucky, June 21, 1820, and was the son of William
G. and Sarah (Gilmore) Cowan, who were natives of Virginia. The
former was a farmer by occupation, and John was reared on a farm in
his native county, although he received a very limited common school
education. In 1842, he removed to Lafayette County, Missouri, and to
Andrew County in 1843. In 1858, he went to Nodaway County, and in
1865, came to this (Holt) County, and since that time has lived on the
place where he now resides. This consists of 620 acres, and on the farm
is an orchard surpassed by none in this neighborhood. For three or four
months during the war he served in the State Militia. He is a member
of the Masonic order, and belongs to the Presbyterian Church. Mr.
Cowan was married in Andrew County, Missouri, November 20, 1844, to
Mary E. Gresham. She was the daughter of Mr. William Gresham, and
was reared in Lincoln County, Kentucky. The family of Mr. and Mrs.
C. consists of: Charles, born May 22, 1849; Bryant O., born January 2,
1852; John F., born October 26, 1856; Flora C. (wife of E. H. Messen-
ger, of this township) born February 17, 1859; Caroline, born April [3,
1861 ; Robert G., born May 8, 1863, and Daisy Irene, born July 13, 1870.
Mr. C. is Democratic in politics.
2 72 HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
4
JOHN M. CRIDER,
section 25, a leading agriculturist of this vicinity, was born July 3, 1835
and is a native of Franklin County, Pennsylvania. His father, Jacob,
was born in Lebanon County, Pennsylvania. In 1841 the family moved
to Cumberland County, and there John was brought up on a farm,
although unable to pass but a few months of each year in attending
school. In April, 1869, he left there and removed to Holt County, Mis-
souri, where for two years he rented a farm near Oregon. In 1871 he pur-
chased and moved upon his present place, which embraces 140 acres of
valuable and well improved land. His orchard contains 125 apple, 100
peach, besides cherry, pear and plum trees. In 1864 he entered into the
military service, and served until the close of the war. He was wounded
while in action before Petersburg and participated in numerous smaller
engagements. He is Republican in politics. Mr. C. was married Jan-
uary 16, 1862, in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, to Hannah K. Gel-
vin, of Franklin County, Pennsylvania. Mr. and Mrs. C. have six chil-
dren : Vinson G., born February 13, 1867 ; Elmer J.,- born December 21,
1870 ; Bertie M., born April 17, 1873 ; Sarah A., born June 6, 1875 ; John
W., born October 16, 1877 ; David M., born May 19, 1880. He is a mem-
ber of the United Brethren Church.
HIRAM E. DENNY
was born in Washington County, Indiana, June 5. 1849. His father,
Thomas G. Denny, was a native of Mercer County, Kentucky, and his
mother, whose maiden name was Jane Hobbs, of Washington County,
Kentucky. Hiram's early days were passed on the farm and in clerking
in a dry goods store. He received a common school education and in
1861, with the family, moved to Moultrie County, Illinois. August 27,
1861, he entered the army, becoming a member of the Fifth Illinois
Cavalry, and served until the close of the war. In October, 1862, he was
taken prisoner by Hindman's forces near Old Town, Arkansas, and con-
fined a short time. He was discharged November 2, 1865. After this
he came to Boone County, Missouri, where he resided for two years,
and in 1867, he located in Holt County. Since then Mr. Denny has
been engaged in the saw mill and lumber business, operating a thresh-
ing machine during the fall of the year. He owned and ran the first
steam thresher in the county in 1870. During the winter season he
devotes his time to teaching vocal music, and as an instructor is a
decided success. He is a member of the Christian Church, and polit-
ically is a Republican.
JOHN A. GOODHART,
section 4, was born in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, September 29,
1843, and was the son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Chisnell) Goodhart, both
HICKORY TOWNSHIP. 273
natives of Pennsylvania. John was reared on a farm, for some time
attended the district schools and afterwards entered the graded or high
school of Richland County, Ohio, where he received a liberal education.
In 1856 the family moved to Richland County, Ohio, and the subject of
this sketch came from there to Holt County, Missouri, in the spring of
1874, and for eight years has resided in this neighborhood. Since his
arrival here Mr. G. has been engaged in farming, stock raising and feed-
ing, and has also worked at the carpenter trade. He owns 120 acres of
good land, and an orchard of 150 apple and 400 peach trees, besides
cherries, and 200 grape vines. At the general election of 1878 he was
elected justice of the peace for Hickory Township. He is independent
in politics, and a leading member of the Methodist Church. October I,
1868, Mr. Goodhart was married in Richland County, Ohio, to Minerva
Buckingham, daughter of David Buckingham, Esq. She was born in
that county. Mr. and Mrs. G. have two children : Clara May, born May
16, 1872, and Oliver C, born July 10, 1876.
ANDREW J. GWINN,
farmer and feeder and shipper of live stock, section 6, was born in Saline
County, Missouri, September 19, 1839. His father, M. C. Gwinn, was a
native of Virginia, and his mother, whose maiden name was Mary A.
Thrailkill, was a Tennessean by birth. The youth of A. J. was spent on
a farm in Saline County, he obtaining his education in the common
schools. August ?i, 1878 he removed from Saline to Holt County, and
now owns 160 acres of land with a choice orchard of no apple, 60 peach
and other fruit trees. During the war he was a member of Company F.
Second Missouri Cavalry, of the Confederate army, and remained in
service for three years. He was in the battles of Pea Ridge and Prairie
Grove, besides numerous skirmishes. Mr. Gwinn was married May 22,
1870, to Lucy A. Ham, daughter of Adam Ham, Esq. She was reared
in Saline County. The family of Mr. and Mrs. G. consists of: Mary,
born March 30, 1871 ; Minnie, born September 9, 1872 ; Jessie, born
May 13, 1874; Otis, born February 28, 1876 ; Florence, born August 24,
1878, and Robert, born November 22, 1880. Politically, he is a Demo-
crat, and his religious preferences are with the Christian Church.
ANDREW J. HAM,
farmer, section 20, was born in Saline County, Missouri, April 2, 1823,
his parents being Jacob and Margaret (House) Ham. The former, a
native of Kentucky, was a farmer by occupation, and Andrew passed his
time on a farm at his birthplace until he was twenty-three years of age,
acquiring a common English education. May 1, 1845, he landed in Holt
18
274 HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
County, Missouri, and has lived continuously in one neighborhood for
thirty-seven years, and on his present place for twenty-four years. This
farm consists of 225 acres, and upon it is an orchard of 200 peach and 90
apple trees. He is a member of the Christian Church. Mr. Ham was
married August 12, 1855, to Catherine Thrailkill, who was born in Saline
County, but principally brought up in Grundy County, Mo. Her father
was Mr. William Thrailkill. Their family consists of five children : Bel-
din, born January 13, 1858 ; John, born December 25, 1859 ; Thomas W.,
born August 4, 1866; Robert C, born February 29, 1868, and Lizzie,
born March 8, 1870. Mr. H. is democratic in his political views.
JOSEPH HODGINS,
section 17, a leading agriculturist and citizen of Hickory Township, is a
native of Washington County, Indiana, and was born October 5, 1835.
His father, Joseph Hodgins, was born in North Carolina, and his mother,
formerly Mary Gordon, was a Kentuckian by birth. Joseph was reared
as a farmer and was educated in the common schools. In October,
1854, when but nineteen years old he left his native county and came to
Holt County, having only enough money to pay the necessary bills on
his journey. After his arrival he worked by the month for some time,
but for twenty-three years past he has lived on his present farm. This
contains 365 acres of fine land, with a good bearing orchard of no apple,
200 peach and forty cherry trees. Mr. H. has improved this place him-
self, and has gained what property he now owns by labor, economy and
his industrious habits. For three years during the war he served in the
State Militia. He is a member of the Christian Church and politically
is a prominent Republican. Mr. H. has been twice married ; first, Octo-
ber 23, 1859, to Harriet E. Lawrence. His second marriage occurred
May 31, 1874, to Susan E. Denny, daughter of Thomas E. Denny. Mr.
Hodgins has a family of four children : Melissa J. (wife of Jacob Kline),
born March 31, 1861 ; Theodore E., born October 17, 1864; Nellie C,
born February 6, 1877, and Joseph E., born August 28, 1879.
JOHN HORNECKER,
section 35, was born in Baden, Germany, December 4, 1826, and is the
son of Jacob and Anna M. (Adolph) Hornecker, who were natives of
Germany. John's earlier days were passed in his native country, work-
ing on a farm and in a vineyard ; his education was obtained in the com-
mon schools. In 1853 he came to the United States and spent his first
winter in this country in St. Louis, Missouri. During the following spring
he came to Holt County, and for three years resided in the southern part
of the county, after which he purchased his present and now valuable
HICKORY TOWNSHIP. 275
farm of 164 acres, in Hickory Township. Upon this he has since lived,
devoting his time to stock raising and farming. His orchard con-
tains 200 apple, 50 peach and some cherry trees, besides a vineyard
of 200 grapes. Mr. Hornecker was married in Germany, July 22, 1849,
to Mary E. Schorb. They have four children : George L., born April
23, 1850: Jacob, born November 23, 1856 ; Mary L., born December 24,
1859, and John, born January 14, 1871. Mr. H. is a member of the Ger-
man Methodist Church, and in politics is Republican.
JOHN R. KEARNEY, M. D.,
was born January 27, 1856, in Andrew County, Missouri. His father was
a native of Knox County, Ohio, and his mother of Boone County, Mis-
souri. When quite young John entered a printing office at Falls City,
Nebraska, to learn the trade of printer. He also began to study medi-
cine under the tutorship of Dr. W. W. Shaw, of that city, though really
at that time not much more than a boy, and continued under his instruc-
tion for six years. From Falls City he went to Ohio, where he worked
on a farm in order to obtain sufficient money to enable him to take his
first course of lectures. He attended the Louisville Medical College,
and after leaving that institution he subsequently entered the St. Louis
Medical College, from which he graduated in March, 1877. He also
graduated from the Bellevue Hospital College in 1881. Dr. Kearney
has worked his own way through life, and is entitled to great credit for
the manner in which he has built up his successful practice. In July,
1877, he commenced practicing his profession at New Point. Politically
he stands independent. The doctor was married in Mound City, Mis-
souri, July 4, 1879, to Miss Lida Bloomer, daughter of Allen Bloomer, of
this township. They have one child, Elmer Frank, born April 22, 1880.
He is a member of the Presbyterian Church.
JOHN KEASTER,
farmer and plasterer, section 25, a native of Union County, Pennsylvania,
was born November 11, 1835. His father, Benjamin, was also born in
that state, and was a farmer by occupation. His mother, Elizabeth
Keaster, was from the same state. The youth of John Keaster was passed
on the farm in Union County, his education there being obtained in the
common schools. In April, 1849, n's parents immigrated to Wayne
County, Ohio, residing there for eighteen months, when they moved to
Illinois. John left home in 1855, and learned the plasterers trade, which
he followed for sixteen years. In June, 1857, he came to Holt County,
Missouri, and has since been a resident of this vicinity. His estate con-
sists of 196 acres, with an orchard of 196 apple trees and a variety of
276 HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
peaches, cherries, plums and pears. During the war Mr. K. served nine
months in the State Militia, being a member of Company F, Fourth Mis-
souri. He is Republican in politics. October 28, 1856, he was married,
in Mitchell County, Iowa, to Sarah J. Brown, a native of Indiana. Her
father was George Brown, Esq. They have six children : Elizabeth A.
(wife of Thomas Cooper, of this township), born April 27, 1859 ; George
T., born February 23/1862 ; Ulysses G., born August 30, 1866 ; Amanda
C, born September 11, 1864 ; Edwin, born February 8, 1872 ; Flora L.,
born January 1, 1874.
MARTIN KEIFFER,
farmer, section 25, was born in Rockingham County, Virginia, January
19, 1819, and was the son of George and Catherine (Armantrout) Keiffer,
the former of Maryland and the latter of Virginia. Mr. Martin Kieffer
moved to Saline County, Missouri, in 1837, and to Mercer County in the
spring of 1841. He resided there until 1857, when he came to Holt
County, in the spring of 1858. He now owns 120 acres of land, and his
orchard contains 83 apple, 100 peach, and other fruit trees. Mr. Keiffer,
as was his father, is democratic in politics. He was married February
21, 1839, to Jane Mullins, daughter of David and Rebecca (Robison)
Mullins. Mrs. K. was born and raised in Cooper County, Missouri.
They have six children : George R., born October 23, 1845 ; Pleasant
M. and Paris J., born August 23, 1847 ; Samuel B., born May 2, 185 1 :
Rebecca (wife of F. Meadows), born November 9, 1853, and Franklin,
born June 19, i860. His religious preferences are with the Missionary
Baptist Church.
EDWARD KNEALE,
farmer, section 2, is a native of Missouri, and was born in Andrew
County, July 31, 1855. His father, James, was born on the Isle of Man,
and his mother, whose maiden name was Ruth A. Wickham, was from
Ohio. The subject of this sketch spent his youth on a farm, mostly in
Holt County, and attended the common schools during the winter. In
i860 the family went to Kansas, where they resided some five years,
returning to Holt County in 1865, and settling in Nickols' Grove, Noda-
way Township. Mr. Edward Kneale moved upon his present farm some
two years ago. This contains 80 acres of fine land, and he makes a
specialty of breeding fine Poland China hogs. There is a good orchard
on the place. Mr. K.'s religious preferences are with the Methodists.
He was married in Holt County, December 3, 1877, to Lizzie Bunty, a
daughter of Michael Bunty. Mrs. K. is a native of New York State.
They have two children : Maggie C, born August 16, 1879, and Martha
E., born September 6, 188 1. He is a Republican in his political
views.
HICKORY TOWNSHIP. 27/
ezra s. Mcdonald
is a native of Richland County, Ohio, where he was born on the 4th of
December, 1840. His parents were Daniel and Lydia S. (Woodward)
McDonald, the former of Tennessee and the latter of Ohio. Ezra
remaine d on a farm until he was sixteen years of age, when he learned
the carpenters' trade. He was educated in the common schools of his
native state, and in 1862 left there and went to Detroit, Michigan, where
he worked at his trade for one year, after which he returned to Ohio.
In March, 1868, Mr. McDonald came to Holt County, Missouri, and has
resided in the vicinity of New Point since that time, working at his
trade. In September, 1880, he embarked in the wagonmaking and
repairing business at New Point, succeeding Mr. Barnes, and has built
up a good trade. He is Democratic in politics, and at the last general
election he was elected justice of the peace for Hickory Township.
February 6, 1868, he was married in Richland County, Ohio, to Martha
Ruhl, who was born January 12, 1850, in Ohio. She is the daughter of
William Ruhl, Esq. Mr. and Mrs. McDonald have four children :
Luther E., born August 21, 1869; Jennie L., born December 30, 1871;
Herbert J., born December 31, 1873, and Mattie Orie, born March 16,
1880. Mr. McD. is a member of the Odd Fellows' fraternity.
EDWIN H. MESSENGER,
section 4, is a native of Clarion County, Pennsylvania, and was born
November 6, 1853. His father, Alonzo Messenger, was born in the State
of New York, and in 1856 the family moved from Pennsylvania to Stark
County, Ohio. After residing there two years they moved to northern
Indiana, and two years later located in Michigan. Remaining in that
vicinity some six years, they again moved, this time to Whiteside County,
Illinois, where the father, Alonzo, died. The subject of this sketch, with
his mother, went to Richardson County, Nebraska, and after a six years
sojourn there, removed to Stephens' Point, Wisconsin, and two years
afterward came to Holt County, Missouri, in 1878. Edwin passed some
of his time on a farm, but was principally in a lumber yard. He
received a liberal education, attending the Nebraska Normal School and
Highland College for about two years. Since coming to the county Mr.
M. has been engaged in farming, and raising and feeding cattle. He
has 240 acres of land, an orchard of 200 apple, 100 peach, and some
cherry trees. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church. November
21, 1878, Mr. Messenger was married in Holt County to Flora B. Cowan,
daughter of J. G. Cowan, of this township. They have one child, Elta
C, born August 13, 1879. He is Republican in his political views.
278 HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
JAMES H. MEYER,
farmer, section 13, was born in Holt County, Missouri, December 31,
1853. His father, Andrew Meyer, was born in Germany, and his mother,
formery Mary B. Sechrist, was a native of Pennsylvania. James received
a liberal education in the common schools of this county, also at the
graded school of Oregon, and at Kirksville, Missouri. He has been one
of the successful teachers of Holt County, and now has a fine farm of
140 acres, with a good orchard of 160 apple trees, and other varieties of
fruit. Upon his place are some Short Horn cattle and Poland China hogs.
The senior Meyer was a Democrat, and the son has since continued to
advocate the principles of that party ; his religious preferences are with
the Protestants. October 21, 1875, Mr. Meyer was married to Fannie
L. Poynter, daughter of Judge William H. Poynter. She was raised in
this county. They have three children : William Andrew, born July
1, 1876 ; Ralph M., born February 1, 1878, and Logan A., born May 12,
1880. Mr. M. is a member of the Good Templar fraternity, and also of
the Grange.
ROBERT MORRIS,
section 21, one of the well to do citizens of this township, was born Sep-
tember 10, 1820, in Sussex County, New Jersey, and was the son of
William and Mary (Merion) Morris, both natives of that state. The
former was born September 15, 1787, and is still living, a man well pre-
served in years. Robert was brought up on the farm, and received his
primary instruction in the common schools. For two years he attended
the graded schools of Knox County, Ohio, thereby receiving a liberal
education. In the fall of 1843, he returned to New Jersey, and after
seven years removed west and spent two years in Ohio, Michigan and
Wisconsin. In the spring of 1852, he went to California, by way of
Central America, and remained in that state for seven years, devoting
three years to mining, and four years to farming in the valleys. In
1859, he went back to New Jersey, and stayed with his father for one
year. In March, i860, Mr. Morris came to Holt County, and has since
been a resident of this neighborhood. He has a fine farm of 430 acres,
and a good orchard of 140 apple trees. He makes a specialty of feeding
cattle for market. June 2, 1863, he was married in Holt County, to
Penina Ramsay, daughter of Thomas Ramsay, Esq. She was born in
Indiana, November 14, 1837, but was principally reared in this county.
Mr. and Mrs. Morris have five children: Governor, born July 16, 1864;
Robert E., born December 14, 1867; John R., born January 5, 1870;
Anna R., born March 2, 1873, and R- Oakley, born December 6, 1879.
He is Republican in politics.
HICKORY TOWNSHIP. 279
JACOB A. OREN,
a leading tiller of the soil in this locality, was born in Randolph County,
Indiana, October 26, 1844. His parents, Ephraim and Elizabeth (Fra-
zier) Oren, were both natives of Ohio. Jacob passed his youthful days
on the farm, and in attending the common schools in Indiana. In March,
1865, he came from Randolph County to Holt County, and, in February,
1869, moved upon his present farm, containing 320 acres of well-improved
land, there being upon the place a good orchard of 500 apple, 200 peach,
and choice cherry, plum and pear trees. He is greatly interested in feed-
ing stock and has some thorough-bred Short Horn cattle and Poland-
China hogs. Mr. O. was reared as a Quaker, and his religious prefer-
ences are with that denomination. He was married in Holt County,
Missouri, August 22, 1868, to Angeline Pollock, a native of Indiana and
a daughter of David Pollock, Esq. They have two children : Rosa Lee,
born April 6, 1872, and Ida Belle, born December 7, 1874. Politically
Mr. Oren is a Republican.
SAMUEL G. PARK,
section 5, was born in Fleming" County, Kentucky, December 29, 1838,
his parents being John H. and Elizabeth (Shanklin) Park, the former a
native of Berkley County, Virginia, and the latter of Jessamine County,
Kentucky. In 1849 the family moved to Brown County, Ohio, where
they resided until April, 1877. Samuel G. passed the greater part ol his
younger days on the farm, and attending the common schools. In the
spring of 1877, he came to Holt County, Missouri, and since that time
has been engaged in farming. His landed estate embraces 160 acres in
cultivation, and he has an orchard of 100 apple and other fruit trees.
Upon his place is some good graded stock. During the war he served
in the One Houndred and Seventy-second Ohio Infantry. Mr. Park was
married in Independence, Missouri, March 3, 1870, to Rachel Yocum, a
native of Ohio, and a daughter of Mr. Franklin Yocum. Mr. and Mrs.
Park have two children : Fred. W., born January 31, 1872, and Lee H.,
born August 21, 1874. Mr. P. is Republican in politics, and a member
of the Presbyterian Church.
JOSEPH T. PATTERSON,
section 5, was born November 24, 1844, a native of Perry County, Ohio.
His father, James, was born in Hampshire County, Virginia, and his
mother, formerly Tacy A. McFarland, in Loudoun County, Virginia.
The family left Perry County and moved to Franklin County, Ohio,
where they resided some three years, and while living here Joseph wit-
nessed the laying ol the first stone for the foundation of the present
28o HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
State House at Columbus. They next removed to Vinton County, set-
tling near McArthur, the county seat. After a residence there of twelve
years, Holt County, Missouri, became their home. The subject of this
sketch passed his youth at hard labor on the farm and also attended the
common schools for a time, after which he commenced the study of
medicine at Columbus with his brother, Wm. Patterson, a leading prac-
titioner of that place. After pursuing his studies for twelve months he
enlisted in the fall of 1863 in the Sixty-third Ohio Infantry. He was in
the service for two and a half years, and was discharged May 27, 1865,
having participated in several engagements, among which were the
battles of Marietta, siege of Kenesaw Mountain, Resaca, and numerous
skirmishes. He was in one engagement at Decatur, Alabama, before
having obtained his uniform. Mr. Patterson was in the hospital at
Rome, Georgia, for three months, detained bv sickness, and during two
months was unconscious. He was afterwards transferred to the hospital
at Columbus, Ohio, and was ward master for a short time. After being
mustered out he attended school at the Athens University for two terms,
and later took a commercial course at Columbus. He then went to
Virginia and was in the employ of the Capital City Oil Company as
engineer and superintendent. After one year he returned to Pickaway
County, Ohio, was engaged in teaching and from there he came to Holt
County, Missouri, in October, 1867. Since that time he has taught in
the schools of Andrew, Nodaway and Holt Counties for ten years, and
for six years resided in Nodaway County conducting a farm and teaching.
As an instructor he is very successful. He now has a farm of 90 acres
with an orchard upon the place. Mr. P. was married in Nodaway
County February 13, 1873, to Mary Ann Southwell, daughter of Wm.
Southwell, of Maryville. They have three children : Jesse L., born
November 14, 1875 ; William James, born February 27, 1878, and Don
Lester, born August 20, 1881. Mr. P. is a Republican.
SAMUEL PRAISWATER,
a native of Tennessee, was born on the 23d of November, 1829, is the
son of George and Tempa (Wood) Prais water, both of whom were born
in North Carolina. Samuel was brought up on the farm, passing a few
months of the year in attending school. In 1852 the family removed to
Indiana, and from there he came to Andrew County, Missouri, in 1856.
After residing there for ten years he moved across the Nodaway River
into Holt County. Mr. Praiswater has all his life been engaged in till-
ing the soil, and is now one of the prominent and successful farmers of
this township. His landed estate embraces 520 acres, with a young
orchard of 200 apple trees and other smaller fruits. He makes a
specialty of feeding cattle, and has some good graded stock. During
HICKORY TOWNSHIP. 2&I
the war Mr. P. served in the State Militia, and has always been promi-
nently identified with the interests of the Republican party. In June,
1852, he was married in Tennessee to Susan Nease. They have a family
of seven children : George W., born March 28, 1853 ; Timothy, born
December 15, 1854; Benjamin F., born December 30, 1856;. Mary, born
September 11, i860; William, born March 2, 1862; Frances, born
March 19, 1867, and John, born March 10, 1872. Besides these, who are
living, three children are deceased.
JOHN P. RUHL,
a leading merchant of New Point, was born in Richland County, Ohio,
March 17, 1839. His father, Levi Ruhl, who was a farmer, was born in
Baltimore County, Maryland, and his mother, whose maiden name was
Mariam Painter, was from Virginia. John P. grew up on the farm at
home and attended the common schools of Richland County. July 7,
1856, he came from there to Holt County, Missouri. In i860 he com-
menced farming and, after tilling the soil for fifteen years, he engaged in
merchandising, at New Point, in 1875. Since that time he has been car-
rying on the business and has established a good trade. He also owns
and conducts a farm. During the war he served in the State Militia.
Mr. Ruhl was married in Holt County, Missouri, March 7, 1867, to Belle
Cable, daughter of John Cable, Esq., and a native of Ohio. They have
four children : Minnie O., born December 19, 1867 ; Jordan E., born
March 7, 1869 ; Edwin E., born March 3, 1876, and an infant daughter,
born January 15, 1882. Mr. Ruhl is a member of the Presbyterian Church,
and politically is a Republican.
A. SCHWARTZ
was born in Morrow County, Ohio, in 1856, and is the son of Henry and
Rebecca (Lentz) Schwartz, who were both natives of Pennsylvania. In
1863, the family moved to Williams County, and there the subject of
this sketch resided for four years, after which, in the spring of 1877, he
came to Holt County. Mr. Schwartz spent his youth on the farm, and
attended the common schools of Morrow and Williams Counties. After
becoming of age, he learned the carpenter's trade, and worked one year
at this business after coming to Holt County. In May, 1878, he com-
menced the merchandise business at New Point, and has established a
successful trade. He was married January 22, 1880, at New Point, to
Miss Ella Marion. Mr. and Mrs. S. have one child, Edith Belle, born
August 20, 1881. Mr. S. is politically a Democrat.
WILLIAM SHIELDS,
farmer, was born in Randolph County, Indiana, July 7, 1837. His par-
ents were John Shields, a farmer by occupation, and a native of North
282 HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
Carolina, and Deborah (Coffin) Shields, a Virginian by birth. William
Was principally raised in Washington County, on a farm, and received a
common school education. In 1865 he removed to Holt County, Mis-
souri. During the year 1864 he served in the war, and in the last year
was in Company A., Thirtieth Indiana Infantry. He was in the battles
of Franklin and Nashville, Tennessee, and also participated in numerous
skirmishes. He now owns 81 acres of land in section 29, but resides in
section 4, and has an orchard of 275 apple trees. Mr. Shields, as was
his father, is Republican in politics. He was married April 1 1, 1861, to
Elizabeth Goodson, who was born and raised in Washington County,
Indiana, and was a daughter of Joseph Goodson, Esq. Their family con-
sists of eight children living : Ransom, born February 12, 1863 ; Sher-
man, born April 1, 1866 ; Dora, born December 29, 1868 ; Cora, born
January 17, 1870 ; John S., born January 15, 1872 ; Jonas, born October
2, 1875 ; Daisy, born January 12, 1877, and an infant son, born October
2, 1881. Mr. S is a member of the Presbyterian Church.
JOHN Q. TRIMMER,
farmer, section 18, was born February 3, 1835. and is a native of Warren
County, New Jersey. His father, William Trimmer, and his mother,
formerly Nancy Gulick, were both born in New Jersey. John passed his
youthful days on a farm, and also on the Lehigh and Morris Canal, learning
the blacksmiths' trade. He was educated in the common schools of his
native state, and in 1854 went to the gold mines of California by way of
Central America. He was there for four years, including five months
spent on Vancouver's Island, and while in the Rocky Mountains he lost
his hat and traveled one hundred miles on foot, bareheaded, carrying
seventy pounds weight. In i860 Mr. Trimmer came to Missouri, and
for four years resided in Harrison County. In March, 1869, he came to
Holt County, and now has 120 acres of land, with an orchard of 250
apple, 100 peach, and cherry and plum trees. He is a Republican in
politics, and during the war he was in the State Militia. Mr. T. was
married in the winter of 1859 to Mary E. Merrin, a daughter of John
Merrin. She was born and reared in Knox County, Ohio. They have
four children : Mary L., born May 14, 1863 ; Ora B., born November 29,
1864; John W., born February 11, 1872, and Robert Q., born April 8,
1875-
JOHN M. TRIMBLE,
farmer, section 13, was born in Staunton, Augusta County, Virginia,
August 8, 1835. His parents, Charles D. and Sarah (Hoover) Trimble,
were both natives of Virginia, the former being a farmer of Augusta
County. In October, 1857, they removed from Virginia to Holt County,
HICKORY TOWNSHIP. 283
Missouri. John was brought up on a farm, and now owns 130 acres of
land, with a bearing orchard of 240 apple, 300 peach and other fruit trees.
Politically the senior Trimble was a Whig and the son is now a Demo-
crat. He has been twice married and the last time his marriage occurred
March 11, 1875, to Loma A.Boyd, who was born and raised in Ohio.
She was a daughter of B. F. Boyd, Esq. They have a family of four
children : John B., born December 23, 1875 ; Lizzie R., born August 3,
1877 ; Edna M., born December 7, 1879, and an infant son, born October
31, 1 S3 1 . Mr. T. is a member of the Masonic fraternity.
ALEXANDER VAN BUSKIRK,
section 25, was born in Andrew County, Missouri, November 17, 1849.
His father, E. VanBuskirk, who is one of the leading attorneys of the
county, was a native of Richland County, Ohio, and his mother, whose
maiden name was Eliza Hart, was born in the same state. In 185 1 the
family removed from Ohio to Oregon, Holt County, Missouri. The sub-
ject of this sketch spent his youth mostly at school and attended the
high school at Oregon. He also took a course of study at the St.
Joseph Commercial College. Mr. VanBuskirk has been one of the
leading teachers of the county, having taught the high school at Oregon
and others. He now owns a good farm of eighty acres, and has a young
orchard of apple, peach and plum trees. In politics he is Democratic,
and religiously is a member of the Presbyterian Church. October 12,
1871, Mr. VanBuskirk was married in Holt County to Charlotte V.
Cummins, daughter of George Cummins. She was born in Crawford
County, Ohio, but came to Holt County in 1865. They have two chil-
dren : Carrie, born November 19, 1872, and Rebecca J., born March 29,
1875.
WILLIAM WRIGHTMAN,
section 14, was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, February 5, 1846, and is the
son of John and Rebecca (Blow) Wrightman, who were both natives of
England. William attended school at Cincinnati until he was thirteen
years of age, when, in August, 1859, the family removed from Ohio to
Forest City, Missouri. During the war he served for two years and fif-
teen days in Company D, Fourteenth Kansas Cavalry, and was in the
skirmishing service. He now owns 100 acres of land, an orchard of
100 apple and a few peach, cherry and plum trees, but makes a specialty
of feeding and fattening cattle for market. He has ever voted the
Republican ticket, and is an ardent supporter of the principles of that
party. Mr. W. was married March 3, 1867, to Henrietta Noland, a
native of Holt County, and a daughter of A. J. Noland, Esq. Mr. and
Mrs. WTrightman have two children: James M., born December 30, 1867,
284 HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
and William, born September 7, 1871. He is a member of the Metho-
dist Church.
BENJAMIN F. WINSLOW,
druggist, New Point. The subject of this sketch was born April 28, 1842,
in Washington County, Indiana, and was the son of B. and Sarah (Draper)
Winslow, both natives of Indiana, the former having been born in Wash-
ington County. His grandparents were from North Carolina. B. F.
Winslow received a common school education, attending school during
the winter and working on the farm in the summer months. He was in
service for three years during the war, being a member of Company F,
Sixty-sixth Indiana Infantry, in Sherman's command. He was in numer-
ous engagements, among which were the battles of Buzzard's Roost,
Snake Creek Gap, Lookout Mountain, Atlanta, Savannah and in minor
skirmishes, having some narrow escapes. In August, 1866, Mr. Winslow
came from Indiana to Holt County, Missouri, and for three years was
engaged in farming! He subsequently embarked in the drug business,
and was the first to start a store of this kind at New Point, but since that
time has received a liberal patronage. He is Republican in politics.
Mr. Winslow was married in Washington County, Indiana, January 27,
1867, to Ruth A. Trueblood, daughter of Milton Trueblood, and a native
of Indiana. Mr. and Mrs. W. have two children : Nora Belle, born
August 19, 1869, and Frederick Newton, born December 10, 1872.
CHAPTER XII
LINCOLN TOWNSHIP.
BOUNDARIES — PHYSICAL FEATURES— EARLY SETTLERS— HEMME'S LANDING-CORNING
— TARKIO VALLEY BRANCH— MILLS AND ELEVATORS— NEWSPAPERS— BUSINESS
DIRECTORY-BIOGRAPHICAL
Lincoln Township, in the northwest corner of Holt County, consti-
tutes the smallest municipal division of the same ; its entire area includ-
ing not more than twenty square miles. Its territory was erected into
the township of Lincoln, March 22, 187.1. Its outline is somewhat
peculiar, suggesting the idea of a carpenter's square. It is bounded on
the north, in a distance of six miles and a half, by the line of Atchison
County ; on the east and south by Union Township ; and on the west by
the state of Nebraska, from which it is separated by the Missouri River,
by the encroachments of which the territory of the township bordering
on this stream has been, since the organization of the county, reduced
fully a mile in its northwest corner.
The territory of Lincoln Township was formerly included in what
was, for a short period in the early history of the Purchase, known as
Allen County, though subject to the jurisdiction of the Holt County
court ; and it was not until the organization of Atchison County, that it
enjoyed the rights and privileges of a municipal division of Holt.
PHYSICAL FEATURES.
The surface of Lincoln Township is generally level bottom land,
not more than six square miles being included in the uplands. The Big
Tarkio enters this township from Atchison County, about the center of
the north line of the northwest quarter of section 21, township 63, range
40, on a farm owned by J. VanGundy, and flows in an exceedingly ser-
pentine course, bending into the northeast quarter of section 20, but
flowing generally in a southeasterly direction through section 28, in the
southern portion of which it enters the northeast quarter of section 33,
in Union Township. •
Shulte Lake, supposed to have been formerly the bed of the Mis-
souri River, is a narrow strip of water in the form of a horse shoe,
lying chiefly in section 8. It is about three and a fourth miles west of
286 HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
i
Craig. Northeast of Corning one mile is a small lake at the foot of the
bluff. This is known as Bertram Lake. Sharpe's Grove extends from
the neighborhood of Craig a considerable distance into the eastern
portion of this township.
EARLY SETTLERS.
The first white man to locate in what is now Lincoln Township,
was John Henry Roselius, the father of Henry Roselius, now (1882) a
representative citizen of the county. He was a native of the Kingdom
of Hanover, and settled in the year 1841 on section 36, township 63,
range 41. This pioneer met his death by a stroke of lightning. In the
following year came Henry Dankers, the father of Henry A. Dankers.
Henry Peters and Andrew Buck also came about the same period, and
effected settlements in the same locality. Between the early part of
1843 and the middle of 1844, came Henry Hemme, John Ahrens, and
Henry Evers. In 1845 Conrad H. Walter arrived in the country and
settled on section 25, township 63, range 41. This farm has long since
disappeared in the bed of the Missouri River, which now flows over its
site. In 1846 Henry Bertram settled in the neighborhood of the river.
In the following year came James Thompson. Robert Hawke, another
well known settler, arrived in 1848, and Thomas Lowell in 1852. These
all settled in the neighborhood of what was once known as Hemme's
Landing. Joseph Waits settled the first farm on Big Tarkio Creek.
This is on the northeast quarter of section 21, township 63, range 40.
It is now kown as the Volman farm.
The first saw-mill of any importance in Lincoln Township was
operated by Bruce Earl, now (1882) a prominent drug merchant of
Corning and Judge of the Holt County Court. He moved this mill
from the bottom in Bigelow Township, and erected it at a point two
miles southwest of Corning in 1873. In the fall of 1879 this enterprise
was discontinued. During Judge Earl's management of this business
in the Missouri River bottom timber, he sawed up and shipped to
market over ten million feet of native lumber.
The first blacksmith to locate within what is now Lincoln Township
was David Bertram. He settled in a very early day at the foot of the
bluffs, just a mile north of the present town of Corning.
The first church edifice erected in Lincoln Township was, and now
is, the property of a German organization, known as St. John's Evangel-
ical Lutheran Church. The building is a frame, thirty by forty feet in
extent, and was completed in the fall of i860, at a cost of $1,500. It
stands on the farm of Henry Roselius, on the northeast quarter of sec-
tion 1, township 62, range 41, about half a mile from the Missouri River.
The organizers of this church were C. H. Walter and wife, Henry Dan-
kers and wife, and Henry Roselius, Sr., and wife. The first minister oi
LINCOLN TOWNSHIP. 287
this church was the Rev. Mr. Messalsky, of Nebraska. He was succeeded
in 1867, by Rev. C. A. Nolte. August 13, 1870, Rev. F. W. Scholz, the
present (1882) minister, took charge of the church. Professor Scholz
also teaches a private German school in Corning. The present member-
Ship is about twenty-five, a large proportion of the congregation having
in 1879, withdrawn to organize the church in Union Township, on the
Vanderschmidt farm, west of Craig.
HEMME'S LANDING.
The first attempt to start a town in this part of the county was
inaugurated by Henry Hemme, another Hanoverian, who settled in the
country in 1844. This settlement, which was known as Hemme's Land-
ing, was about two miles west of the site of the present town of Corning.
Its site is now within the limits of the State of Nebraska, and the Mis-
souri River flows within three-fourths of a mile of Corning, and consid-
erably to the eastward of the spot where the old town once stood. At
one time Hemme's Landing was one of the most important trading
points between St. Joseph and Council Bluffs. The first merchant who
sold goods at the landing was David Greer, who commenced business
there in 1845. He was shortly after succeeded by Henry Hemme, who
in 1847, gave place to Vernile Thompson. In 1848, Robert Hawke
bought out Thompson. The Hawkes and Dillon for many succeeding
years carried on an extensive business at this point. They finally moved
to Nebraska City, having sold out to Thompson. Thompson subse-
quently sold out to Roland & Co., who, in 1861, moved their goods to
Rock Port, in Atchison County. In 1849, Thomas & Lowell had opened
a store a short distance below, on the river bank. In 185 1, John F. Low-
ell succeeded to the business. He afterwards sold to J. F. Taylor, and
others, of St. Deroin. In 1862, E. W. Holly, of St. Joseph, bought out
the concern. Adrian Hoblitzell succeeded him in 1864, and, a short
time after, Conrad Grab became by purchase the owner of the store. By
this time the encroachments of the river threatening the entire destruc-
tion and obliteration of the place, most of the inhabitants left, taking
with them their buildings, some of which now stand in the town of Corn-
ing. Grab, however, strong in the faith, hung on till almost the last
moment, and finally, in the fall of 1868, moved eastward to the site of
what is now the town of
CORNING.
This town, the most northern of Holt County, and less than one
mile south of the line of Atchison County, was laid out in the fall of
1868. Its original site occupies the northwest quarter of the northeast
quarter of section 30, township 63, range 40. Martin's Addition, adjoin-
288 HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
ing on the north, was laid out in the spring of 1869 by Horace Martin,
Esq., late of Crawford County, Ohio, a gentleman of distinguished
scientific attainments, and long an honored member and colaborator of
the Smithsonian Institute of Washington, D. C, and observer in the
employ of the United States Signal Service. Mr. Martin was one of the
earliest settlers of the town of Corning, having lived in the same since
the month of October, 1868. The site of the town, which is in the bot-
tom, about two miles westward of the bluff, is 893 feet above the level of
the sea. It is 119 miles from Kansas City, 51 from St. Joseph, and 77
miles from Council Bluffs. During the period of the late flood, to which
full reference is made in the sketch of Craig, Corning also suffered from
the overflow.
The first to sell goods in the tovvn was Conrad Grab, who, as above
■stated, had been driven from the banks of the Missouri by the encroach-
ments of that stream. This was in 1868. Shortly after Sanders Bros,
•opened a stock of goods in the place. The first blacksmith who estab-
lished himself in the town was William Bertram. Ferris & Drake, in
the same year, started the first lumber yard. Dr. J. Noel still (1882) a
practicing physician of the town, was the first of his profession to locate
there. He also settled in 1868.
CHURCHES.
The German Reform Church, of Corning, is a small frame building,
•erected in 1878, at a cost of $900. Rev. T. Miller organized the church
with a large membership. This included, with others, Peter Christen
and wife, Fred Scheie and wife, Mrs. Roselius, William Bertram and
wife, and William Ahlers and wife.
The Methodist Episcopal Church, on First Street, in Martin's Addi-
tion, stands on lots 4 and 5, in block 5. This ground was donated by
Esquire Horace Martin for the purpose of a church, and the building,
a frame 28x42 feet, was erected in the fall of 1879, at a cost of $1,100.
The congregation was first organized by the Rev. E. Edwards, with the
following members : William E. Hurst and wife, E. Hodson and wife,
Miss Laura Hodson, E. Longwell and wife, and Homer Martin and wife.
The present (1882) minister of this church is Rev. M. F. Sapp.
POSTMASTERS.
The first postmaster of Corning was Conrad Grab, the pioneer
merchant. He was appointed in 1868. In [869, he was succeeded by
R. W. Frame. H. F. Ferris, druggist, became postmaster in 1870. He
was succeeded, in 1875, by J. R. Dodds, editor and publisher of the
Corning Herald, and, for many years railroad agent in the place, and an
LINCOLN TOWNSHIP. 289
enterprising and public spirited citizen. Dr. J. Noel succeeded Dodds,
a short time after. In the same year (1875), H. F. Ferris was re-ap-
pointed. He continued to fill the position up to the period of his resig-
nation, in 1879, when he was succeeded by Frank Campbell. A short
time after, during the same year, C. Casler, was appointed. Joseph
Hogrefe became postmaster in 1880, and was succeeded in 188 1, by Mil-
ton Earl, a brother of the county judge.
TARKIO VALLEY BRANCH.
In the fall of 1880, the Tarkio Valley Branch of the K. C, St. J. and
C. B. R. R. was built from Corning, in a northeasterly direction, into
Atchison County. This road extends a little more than a mile and
a half through Holt County.
MILLS AND ELEVATORS.
The Corning Steam Flouring Mill was built in 1871-72 by W. B.
Wilson, at a cost of $6,664. George Collor, the present (1882) proprie-
tor, purchased this mill in the spring of 1872, and subsequently effected
improvements in the way of added machinery in value to the amount of
$3,000. The mill operates three run of burrs and is fitted up with all the
modern improvements proper to a first-class mill.
Sedwick, Walter & Co. built, in 1881, the grain elevator now owned
by Fritz Walter. It was completed at a cost of about $6,000, and has a
capacity of fifteen thousand bushels.
NEWSPAPERS.
The first newspaper started in Corning was the Herald, published
by J. R. Dodds, from 1878 to 188 1, in the interest of the Greenback party.
The Corning Eagle was started by Charles Tiller and Major Lyman.
This was afterwards moved to Fairfax, Atchison County, where it made
its first appearance under the name and style of the Fairfax Independent,
February 11, 1882.
The present business of Corning includes the following :
Brown, John A., hotel. Mills, Walter & Co., dry goods, gro-
Christen, Peter, furniture and ceries, and agricultural impl'ts.
lumber. Milliken, Mrs., milliner.
Collor, George, miller. Noel, Mrs. J., milliner.
Conoughy, J., R. R. Agent. Reynolds & Bro., saloon.
Earl & Earl, druggists. Roselius & Hogrefe, dry goods and
Gilmore, G., wagonmaker. groceries.
19
29O HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
Hogrefe, Joseph, hardware and Scholz, P. C, druggist.
agricultural implements. Slaughter, C, saloon.
Kirkland, L. W., hotel. Swan, W. & Son, livery stable.
Masters, John, blacksmith. Walter, Fritz, elevator.
Macaulay, carpenter and singing teacher.
The physicians of the town are Dr. J. Noel, established in 1868 ; Dr.
W. P. Sperry, in 1881, and Dr. J. M. Lovelady, in 1881.
Professor C. O. Denny teaches the public school of eighty-five
pupils. Rev. F. W. Scholz teaches a private German school. Mrs. M.
Earl teaches vocal and instrumental music.
W. E. Hunt and E. Hodson, justices of the peace for Lincoln Town-
ship, reside in Corning.
®— ?s=5fr=tf- <a.
'GTr^S
Sbiographica L.R
. m&-i-~$. 0<®$«&S>0 -§— f<-
JOHN J. ADKINS,
farmer and stock raiser, is the owner of 400 acres of land, his residence
being on section 21. He was born in Anderson County, East Tennessee,
December 27, 1840. His early school advantages were limited, but he
was taught habits of industry and study which have adhered to him dur-
ing life. In 1865 he came to Nodaway County, Missouri, with his father,
Richard Adkins, a native of Virginia, and settled in Lincoln Township,
remaining with his father for two years. He assisted in improving a fine
farm and then came to this township, locating on the place where he now
lives. He has one of the best farms in this township and is truly a self-
made man, successful in nearly everything and no one deserves it more
than he. Mr. Adkins married Miss Elizabeth Spinner, in Nodaway
County, Missouri, in March, 1867. Her father was Ransom Spinner, and
her mother's maiden name was Susannah Johnson. Mr. and Mrs. A. have
four children living : Margaret, Charles, George and John R. ; three are de-
ceased. James A. R.,died December 1, 1870 ; Napoleon B., died Decem-
ber 2, 1873, and Richard died April 1, 1880. Mr. A. is a staunch Repub-
lican in politics and a Baptist in his religious preference. During the
war he enlisted, as first lieutenant, in Company C, First Tennessee Reg-
iment, of the Union Army. He started, with the regiment, on a long
march, was taken sick, from which cause he became blind and for a long
time hovered between life and death. He partially recovered, but was
then in a country full of enemies, who knew him to be a Union soldier,
LINCOLN TOWNSHIP. 291
sick and on his way home. He was taken prisoner, by bushwhackers.,
and condemned to death the next day, but, having a fleet horse, and find-
ing Union friends in the landlord and colored porter, he managed to
pass his guards and finally reached the Union lines. He is an indus-
trious and well respected agriculturist.
JOHN A. BROWN,
plasterer and mason, Corning, was born in Cooper County, Missouri,
October 20, 1849. In 1853, his father, George Brown, moved to St. Joseph,
but after remaining there for eight months, and not being satisfied with
the prospects, he came to Holt County and settled at Hemme's landing.
There he lived until 1855, when he died. Mrs. Brown was left with four
young children, John A. being but a year old. In 1877 she married Mr.
Henry Tieman. John remained at home working on the farm until
eighteen years old, when he learned the carpenter's trade, at which he
worked for five years. Having a desire to follow the mason's trade, he
went with John Elmore, one of the best masons in the state, to learn
the trade. He soon became an adept at the business, and remained with
his instructor for six years, doing some of the best work in this part of
the state. He married Mrs. Lucinda Catharine Hargis, widow of Dr. L.
B. Landis, February 4, 1879. Dr. L. died in Mount Vernon, Missouri,
May 10, 1871, and left one child. Maggie Bell, born September 27, 1869.
In the winter of 1882 Mr. and Mrs. Brown moved from Craig to Corning,
and rented the hotel opposite the depot, where they are keeping an
excellent house. Mrs. B. presides over the household affairs, and is
admirably fitted for her position. Mr. B. devotes his time to his chosen
calling, and is unexceptionally successful therein. He has been brought
up in this vicinity, and is well known by all.
PETER CHRISTEN,
proprietor of lumber yard and dealer in furniture, was born in Switzer-
land, October 25, 1841. He received a good education in youth and
then learned the cabinent trade, which he has made his life work. In
1865 he emigrated to this country, and came directly to St. Joseph,
where he was employed by Louis Hax. After remaining with him for
three years, he went to Omaha, Nebraska, and stopped for one year,
and in 1869 removed to this place. He soon embarked in business, and
to his stock of furniture he has added a lumber yard and the undertak-
ing business, in both of which he is doing well. He came to this coun-
try without means, and now, by his strict attention to business and
honorable dealing, has established a trade which has become an honor
to Corning. Much of his success is due to his accommodating and
292 HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
pleasing manners. Mr. Christen was married to Miss Catherine Asen-
dorf, of Omaha, in 1868. She was born in Hanover, Germany. They
have an interesting family of five children : Emma, Bertie, Bernhart,
George and Peter.
GEORGE COLLOR
was born in Portage County, Ohio, in November, 1826. After receiving
his education he went to work in a flouring mill, learned the business
thoroughly, and since then has kept pace with the various improvements
in milling, having made it his life study. In 1838 his father moved with
his family to Fort Wayne, Indiana, and built the large mills in that city
which are still operated. The senior Collor became quite celebrated as
being one of the best millwrights and workmen to be found in the coun-
try, and consequently had charge of many important works in the vicin-
ity of Fort Wayne. He died near Fort Wayne, in the fall of 1856. The '
subject of this sketch, then located at Rockford, Illinois, entered a mill,
and soon after rented a mill in Pecatonica, where he remained for eight
years, doing a large and profitable business. After remaining in
Nebraska for about a year, in 1873 he came to this city and bought the
mill which was partially built, completed it, and has since been doing
an excellent business. He has expended, from time to time, some
$2,000 on important improvements in the machinery, so that now his mill
has all the modern facilities for producing the best flour known to the
trade. Mr. Collor married Miss Emma A. Baker, of LaPorte, Indiana,
in 1858. She was born in Dayton, Ohio, in 1840. They have five chil-
dren : Dora A., George Frank, Ida Myrtle, Charles Edgar, and Leo. He
is a staunch Republican, and a Methodist in religious preferences. He
is also a member of the Odd Fellows.
HENRY A. DANKERS,
one of the leading residents and old citizens of Lincoln Township, was
born in the city of Stade, Kingdom of Hanover, on the 20th day of May,
1835. His father, Henry Dankers, left Germany for this country in the
year 1841, when the subject of this biography was about six years old.
They landed at New Orleans and came up the Mississippi and Missouri
rivers, to Weston, in Platte County, where they parted with all their
money in exchange for an old wagon, a yoke of oxen and four cows, and
set out for Holt County, where they heard that John H. Roselius had set-
tled the previous spring. In August, 1841, they arrived here. All this
part of the county was a waste,, unbroken bottom land, and no signs of
civilization were visible except where Roselius had erected a cabin in
the timber near the Missouri River. Indians were the only inhabitants,
and shared the solitude with the wild game, which was found in abun-
LINCOLN TOWNSHIP. 293
dance. Mr. D.'s father chose a location on section 36. One of the first
enterprises was to get a school, and the first one which Mr. Dankers
attended, and the first in the township, was taught by a man employed
by his father, John H. Roselius and Andrew Buck. He only received
about nine months schooling, and the remainder of his education he has
obtained by his own study and exertions, now being exceptionally well
informed. In the spring of 1858 he left home, and in partnership with a
Mr. Price kept a grocery store across the Missouri River, at St. Stevens,
Nebraska. Not succeeding according to his expectations, he returned
the following year (1859) to Holt County, and went to work again on the
farm and trading in stock. He was married on the 20th of January,
1863, to Elizabeth Kunkel, who was born in Hesse Darmstadt, Germany,
but a resident of Holt County, when married. They have eight children :
Melinda, Andrew, Irvin, Rebecca, Anna, Fredrick, Ella D. and Charles
Edmond. Mr. D. lived in the timber near the river until October, 1873,
when he removed to his present home, on the farm adjoining the town
of Corning. He has built a handsome brick residence, one of the best
in the county, has been engaged in farming on a large scale, and now
owns 1340 acres of land, apart of which is in Atchison County. He has
also been occupied in dealing in stock, which has done much to place
him in his present circumstances. His father died in August, 1870. Mr.
D. was the second of a family of four children, and is now the oldest of two
children living. His sister is now the wife of Fred W. Walter, Esq.
He has grown up with Holt County, and is one of its most industrious
citizens. Coming here, as he did, forty years ago, and settling on a
tract of wild bottom land without means, and with little prospect of for-
tune, he has succeeded in placing himself among the wealthy farmers of
the county.
JUDGE BRUCE EARL.
Among the many men of mark who have earned for themselves a
name and fortune who deserve special mention, is the subject of this
sketch. He was born in St. Lawrence County, New York, March 10,
1842. His father, Henry Earl, was a farmer, and his mother was form-
erly Laura M. Watson, of Ballston, New York. Bruce left home when
sixteen years of age, and, after working for three years, in March, 1864,
he started for California.. He went to Portland, Oregon, and after four-
teen months he returned to California, remaining for three months.
He then went home, and in June, 1866, he came to Missouri and stopped
in Atchison County, though possessed of but twenty dollars with which
to engage in business. But having come here to stay, he commenced
to work in a mill and chopping railroad ties for a dollar and fifty cents
per day. This he continued until 1868, when he came to Holt County
and bought a saw mill with J. C. Yantes, and from this time on labored
294 HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
harder than ever. In October, 1869, he bought out his partner's interest
and operated the mill alone. He then purchased some 400 acres of
timber of John B. Perkins, moved his mill on to that land and sawed the
timber, and in this manner obtained quite a start. In 1874 Mr. E.
moved his mill on to the farm of Henry Roselius, and there sawed the
timber on 500 acres of land. After buying and selling several mills
and sawing a large quantity of black walnut and other valuable lumber,
he closed up his milling business and then, in March, 1880, bought the
store which he now occupies, putting in a general stock of merchandise.
He received his brother, Milton, into partnership and started with excel-
lent prospects. In January, 1882, they changed their stock to drugs,
medicines, groceries, boots and shoes. Politically he is a Democrat.
Mr. Earl was appointed County Judge, by the Governor, to fill the vacancy
of Henry Banganstock in the second district, who resigned, and the Gov-
ernor also appointed him Presiding County Judge, to fill the vacancy of T.
W. McCoy, resigned. He belongs to the Rock Port Chapter of Masons. He
was married to Miss Emma Ann Perkins, of Atchison County, in 1869.
She died October 14, 1869. His second wife was Mrs. Elizabeth Free-
man, of Craig, to whom he was married May 15, 1871. She died January
18, 1875, leaving two children, Emma and Vera, and a step-daughter,
Bessie Alice Freeman. Mr. E.'s third wife was Mrs. Sarah Courchain,
of Rulo, Nebraska. They were married August 1, 1875. He has 535
acres of land in his farm, on sections 3 and 4, in Union Township. Judge
Earl has been a fortunate and successful man in all his business indus-
tries, prompt to his engagements, relying upon his own judgment for his
success. As judge he is very mindful of the wants and care of the county
interests. The firm of which he is a member is doing well. His brother,
Milton, is the present postmaster of Corning, and is deserving of credit
for the care and attention he srives the official business.
t> ■
JOHN H. HOGREFE,
a substantial settler of Lincoln Township, was born at Walsrode, in
Hanover, September 2, 1816. He was raised on a farm, and lived in his
native country until he was twenty-six years of age. In the summer of
L842, he immigrated to America, and landed at Baltimore on the 10th of
August, having been nine weeks on the ocean.. After stopping at Mari-
etta, Ohio, for a few months, he came to St. Louis, Missouri. In the fall
following he removed to Lexington, Missouri, and was engaged in farm-
ing until the spring of 1S46. Mr. H. had long been connected with the
German Methodist Church, and on leaving La Fayette County, he went
to St. Charles County, as a minister of that denomination, and was
employed in preaching there until October, 1846. He traveled as a
Methodist minister in Howard. Chariton and Carroll Counties, from 1848,
LINCOLN TOWNSHIP. 295
to 1850, and had charge of other stations in different parts of the state.
He was placed at Weston, in Platte County, and preached over a large
circuit, embracing Clay, Platte, Buchanan, Andrew and Holt Counties.
In 1850, he settled on the farm which he now owns, in section 8. Then
there were only a few settlements, scattered here and there. Mr. H. has
been acting as a local preacher of the German Methodist Church since
that time, and has also been engaged in farming. He owns 394 acres of
land. He was married April 19, 1847, to Rebecca Trook, who was born
and raised in Ohio, but had moved to Andrew County where she was
married. They have six sons and one daughter : Henry, Joseph, Abra-
ham, Benjamin, Simeon, George W., and Matilda. Politically he is a
staunch Republican. Mr. Hogrefe has a fine farm, an excellent orchard
of choice fruit, and some forty stands of bees.
GREENBURG B. LOUDEN,
farmer, is the owner of 215 acres of land, and resides on section 27. He
is the son of Joshua and Lydia (Little) Louden, and was born in Henry
County, Kentucky, May 22, 1822. He was brought up as a farmer and
had very limited advantages for acquiring an education. In 1852 he came
to this state and settled in Holt County, on the farm where he has since
lived. He has a good farm of his own improving, but had only $10 when
he arrived in St. Joseph. Mr. Louden is giving his children good school
advantages, and is much interested in keeping the school of his district
in session the year round. He married Ann Eliza Mosier, in this county,
in June, 1853. They have had fifteen children, of whom four are deceased.
Those living are : Greenburg, Louisa, Clara M., Jacob, Jeptha, Alvessa,
Allen, Eli, Elzara, Ernest and the babe. In politics Mr. L. is a Demo-
crat. He is a member of the Odd Fellows fraternity.
JAMES M. LOVELADY, M. D.,
son of William and Amanda (Thomas) Lovelady, was born in Riverton,
Fremont County, Iowa, in 1856. His parents were both natives of Ten-
nessee. He secured a good education at the Tabor College, in Iowa,
and, subsequently, studied medicine with Dr. Evan F. Cowgar, an expe-
rienced physician of Riverton. After becoming a thorough student, he
attended a course of lectures at the Medical College of Physicians and
Surgeons, of Keokuk, Iowa, the winter of 1879-80, and graduated from
the College of Physicians and Surgeons, in St. Joseph, in the winter of
1880-81. He was a careful and studious scholar, always striving to
search for the mysteries of his profession, and in his practice he follows
the same plan. He located at Corning, Holt County, in the spring of
1881, commencing the practice of his chosen calling, and very soon he
was enjoying a liberal patronage. His success would do credit to an
296 HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
older practitioner. He is a young man of good habits, and is keeping
pace with the advancing science of medicine. October 20, 1881, Dr. L.
married Miss Susie L. Smith, daughter of Coleman Smith, of Riverton,
Iowa, but formerly of Pennsylvania. Mrs. Lovelady enjoyed excellent
advantages for an education in youth, and is an accomplished musician,
besides being one of the best of housewives.
JOHN S. MAVITY,
farmer and stock raiser, section [9, was born in Ripley County, Indiana,
in July, 1840. He received a common school education, and worked at
home until grown, when he bought some land, but it being heavy tim-
ber, uneven and full of rocks, the improving of the farm was the work of
a lifetime, and after several years he concluded to seek a home further
west. Accordingly, in 1871, he came to Holt County, Missouri, and
settled on his present place, one-half mile north of Corning, where he
improved his first farm of 240 acres, to which he has added, from time
to time, until now it is one of the best places on these rich bottoms, con-
sisting of 520 acres. In 1880 he built his present commodious dwelling,
and this, with other improvements and the location, renders his home
and surroundings among the most desirable. He yet possesses the Rip-
ley County farm, as a monument of his early struggles. Mr. Mavity
married Miss Mary Ann Anderson, daughter of Dr. William Anderson,
of Indiana, in i860. They have eight children living : William A.,
James S., Charles M., John F., Mary Ann, Laura Stella, Isabel Florence,
and Robert A. Mr. M.'s father, James Maverty, and his mother, who
was formerly Keziah Evans, were natives of Kentucky. Mrs. M.'s father,
Dr. William Anderson, was born in the north of Ireland, and her mother
was Christiana Blair, of Ripley County, Indiana. Dr. Anderson
received a thorough education in Ireland and Scotland, and studied
medicine and attended the medical schools at Edingburgh, where he
graduated with honor. After coming to this country he graduated from
one of the best medical schools in New York City, and later settled in
Ripley County, Indiana, where he became quite prominent as a physi-
cian. He was once commissioned surgeon of the Thirty-seventh Indi-
ana Regiment, and served in that capacity, and as Medical Director,
etc., with much distinction. His daughter, Mrs. Mavity, took a thorough
course of study with her father, and has been an active and successful
practitioner for many years. In 1862 Mr. Mavity enlisted in the Thirty-
seventh Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and was attached to the Fourteenth
Corps, and served through all the engagements from Murfreesboro,
through the hard campaigning, to the close of the war. Politically he
is a Democrat, and he belongs to the Christian Church. Few men have
succeeded better in life than Mr. M. He has worked hard, been
LINCOLN TOWNSHIP. 297
economical, and now both he and his wife can enjoy the fruit of their
hard toil in their declining years.
HEINRICH MULLER,
merchant, and son of Heinrich and Wilhelmine K. Muller, is among the
younger class of business men in the county, but none stand higher for
true worth and business ability. He was born in Wittenberg, State of
Waldeck, Germany, October 15, 1848, and landed in this country Janu-
ary 17, 1871. He received an excellent education in Germany, and also
acquired a thorough training in the mercantile business. He was
brought up to habits of industry, his early boyhood days being spent on
a farm. After emigrating to America he came to St. Joseph, and
entered the drug store of Joseph Schmitz, and in a short was employed
in the drug establishment of T. Borngessor, only remaining with him
until the 23d of June, 1871. At that time he came to Corning, and
formed a partnership under the firm name of Sedwick & Muller, in the
general merchandise business. They continued in this name until F.
W. Walter entered it, when it was changed to Sedwick, Walter & Co.
They have a branch house at Fairfax, where they are doing a leading
business, and, as a firm, they stand among the most prominent in this
vicinity, having ample capital to carry on a large and varied business to
advantage. As a result, they enjoy a liberal patronage. Mr. Muller
married Miss Hattie Sedwick, of Forest City, Missouri, May 15, 1877.
They have two boys, Charles Waldick and Harry Benjamin. Mrs. M.
was the daughter of Joshua T. Sedwick. Mr. Muller is a member of the
Masonic order. He is a Democrat in politics, and a Lutheran in his
religious preferences. He started in life with little means, but was so
reliable and capable in his business operations that he at once gained
the confidence of his employers, and has since succeeded beyond his
most sanguine hopes.
HENRY NABER,
farmer, is the owner of 250 acres of land, his residence being on section
32. He was born in the Kingdom of Hanover, Germany, May 22, 1845.
His father, Henry Naber, was a shoemaker by occupation, and his
mother's maiden name was Dora Fricka. Henry spent his youth at
school, obtaining a good common education. He came to this country
in 185 1, locating in Missouri, and stopped in St. Louis for two years.
In 1853 he came to this county. His father and step-mother died here
two weeks apart, in 1854, his mother having died in Germany. They
left two sons, Henry and Richard. Richard went to live with John F.
Gerriny, who soon after died, and Richard then went to St. Joseph and
lived with Mr. Killink, but was afterwards drowned in the Missouri
298 HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
River. Henry lived with Mr. C. H. Walter, until he was twenty-six
years old, when Mr. W. gave him a farm, and he moved upon it. October
29, 1871, he married Miss Bothena Voltmer, formerly from Germany.
She was a daughter of Fredrick Voltmer, of this county. They have
three children living : Anna Dora, Henry Fredrick Rudolph, and
Martha Augusta Ragena. Mr. N. started on his farm in 1870, with a
team and cow, commencing work by improving his farm. By hard work
he has succeeded in making one of the fine homes in the county. He
built his present commodious dwelling in 1878. He has added to his
original farm considerably, and has it well stocked with horses, cattle,
sheep and hogs. He is one of the respected citizens of this county, and
is entitled to great credit for his faithfulness in work from his boyhood.
Politically he is a Democrat, and religiously a Lutheran.
JESSE NOEL, M. D.,
was born in Rockingham County, Virginia, September 27, 1817. His
father was William T. Noel, M. D., who was born in Essex County, Vir-
ginia, and who married Margery Harrison, of Virginia. Jesse was sent
to school and acquired a good education, becoming a thorough student
of medicine, both theoretically and practically, with his father. He also
studied with Dr. Finley, of the city of Niles, Michigan, to which place
Dr. Noel had moved in 1831. After completing his studies he practiced
his profession until he came to this county in 1850. He is a member of
the Northwestern Medical Association, of St. Joseph. After coming to
this state, he determined to leave his practice, and accordingly bought a
farm and mill, very few persons knowing that he was a physician. But
after the fevers and chills began to assume a congestive form, his long
experience in their treatment in Michigan was urged upon him, and he
was obliged to again commence practice, in which he was very success-
ful. In 1854, he moved to Brownsville, Nebraska, where he built a mill
and took charge of it, and also soon came into possession of a lucrative
practice. In 1857, ne was elected a member of the Legislature, and
again in 1858. He was also a justice of the peace for two years. In the
fall of 1865, he sold out his interests in Brownsville and returned to
Corning, and again bought a very large mill, in which he invested
$5,000. After operating it successfully and profitably for some time, it
was burned to the ground, a total loss, supposed to have been set on
fire. The doctor soon imagined that the practice of medicine was his
first calling, and therefore he gave up all outside matters, and has
devoted his time exclusively to study and practice. He has helped in
many ways to build up the town, and he sawed and drew the first load
of lumber that was used- for erecting the first building in Corning. Polit-
ically he is a Democrat. He belongs to the Masonic and Odd Fellows
LINCOLN TOWNSH1K 299
fraternities. He married Miss Mary Ann Colton, of Niles, Michigan,
daughter of William Colton, of Niles. They have four children living :
Margery (married to A. J. Berry, of Brownsville, Nebraska), William T.,
John Franklin, and James Madison. The doctor has always had a great
desire to travel, and has been in many of our western territories, through
California, Oregon and Washington Territory. Mrs. Noel is a practical
milliner and dressmaker, and is dealing in sewing machines, &c, in
which she is doing quite a business.
HARDIN DOUGLAS PARIS,
deceased, was born in Kentucky, November 19, 1816. In 1819 his father
emigrated to Missouri and settled near Hannibal. He lived at home
and among the Indians until of age, when he went to Davis County,
Iowa, and erected the first building in Bloomfield, the county seat,
where he engaged in the grocery business. He bought a good many
lots in the then small place. In 1850, in company with three brothers
and some friends, he went to California, remaining for two years, when
they returned, after a successful trip. Mr. P. settled nine miles west of
Bloomfield, and bought a tract of land, and also some lots in the city of
Bloomfield. He went to work and improved a farm, and then purchased
a saw and flouring mill, which he operated until 1861, after which he
traded his mill property for a farm in Holt County. After three years
he sold out and bought the place where the family now live, consisting
•of 104 acres, on section 26. He married Miss Rebecca Hopkins, in
Davis County, Iowa, July 15, 1852. Of the children of this marriage
three are now living : John Washington, Hardin Douglas, and Maria,
who married Joseph Spencer. Mr. Paris was once thrown from a load
of hay, falling upon a pitchfork, which caused his death, November 30,
1870. Mrs. P.'s father was George W. Hopkins, and her mother was for-
merly Mary Ann McFarland, of Kentucky. Mrs. P. was born in East
Tennessee. Mr. P. was among the first settlers of Craig, and helped to
build up the town. He was the acting justice of the peace for several
terms before he died. He was a Republican in politics, and a thorough
Union man. He was a man possessed of strong convictions of right,
and transacted a large amount of business during his life time, and made
a fortune. He left a good farm and home for his widow and two sons,
who are now working it and living at home.
HEINRICH PETERS,
deceased, was born in Danst, Amtr. Hasfeld, Germany, January 25, 1808.
His father, John Peters, was born in Danst, and was a farmer by occupa-
tion. His mother was Rebecca Weabash, of Danst. Mr. P. was in pol-
300 HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
itics a Republican, and belonged to the Lutheran Church. He was mar-
ried to Christena Klaus, daughter of Jacob Klaus. Their family consisted
of : John, born June 13, 185 1 ; Henry, born December 1, 1856 ; Andrew,
born April 5, 1859 ; Klaus, born October 20, 1861 ; Ann Eliza, born in
1853, and died in 1875. She was married to Conrad Thomas. Mr. Peters
came to this country with Andrew Buck and Henry Dankers, in 1841,
and learned from real experience the trials of a pioneer life. He made a
claim of 160 acres, on section 36, near the Missouri River, where he built
a small log house, obtained a little rude furniture, and commenced with
a will to make a farm. He had some money, sufficient to procure the
necessaries of life until he could raise a crop. At that time roads and
mills were few in number. Mrs. Peters could tell many a sad tale of her
first impressions of America and her new home on the bottoms, but after
a few years of toil and sufferings, by industry and economy, she and
her husband found themselves in comfortable circumstances, and in pos-
session of a home of their own. Mr. Roselius and some other friends
early settled near them and they soon had a school, which was much
appreciated. Mr. P. lived in his first cabin for thirty years, when he
built a more commodious one. In 1856 he bought a fine 160 acre lot, on
the prairie, east of Corning, on section 36, which added greatly to their
farming facilities. In 188 1 the family built a barn and beautiful resi-
dence on their new farm of 320 acres, located on section 29, and which
Henry Peters is conducting, in company with the younger brothers and
his mother. Mr. Peters died August 15, 1873. Johann Peters married
Miss Annie Rebecca Bade, April 8, 1875, and they have two children,
Annie C. R. and Johann Henry. Johann Peters, the eldest son, remains on
the old farm. He and his brothers are all industrious young men. Mr.
Peters, Sr., was one of the substantial men of the township. He labored
hard and saved a good competency for his family. After a life of useful-
ness he died, leaving an affectionate companion, loving children and a
large circle of friends to mourn his death.
HENRY ROSELIUS.
A biographical history of the leading citizens of Lincoln Township
would be incomplete without mention of the name of Henry Roselius.
His father was the first permanent settler of the township, and the son
is one of its most active and prominent business men. He was born
near the city of Hanover, Germany, October 1, 1838. He was the youngest
of three children, and is the only one now living. His father, John H.
Roselius, left Germany with his family in the fall of 1840. They landed
in New York City, then went to New Orleans, and up the river to St.
Louis, and thence to Weston, in Platte County, Missouri. Obtaining a
wagon, they came to Holt County, and settled in the northwestern cor-
LINCOLN TOWNSHIP. 301
ner, where they stopped in the wilderness, pitched their tent and made
one of the first homes in the county. This was on section 1. The family
lived alone in the bottom from the spring of 1841 till the following fall,
when Mr. Dankers and Mr. Peters and their families arrived to keep
them company. Mr. Roselius was at that time but a small boy, and,
consequently, his life has been principally spent in Holt County. He
attended the first school ever taught in Lincoln Township, kept by a Mr-
Keiser, and supported by Mr. R.'s father, Henry Dankers and Andrew
Buck. He has obtained the most of his education by his own efforts, and
in transacting his immense business has gained an excellent knowledge
of every day business life. He worked at home until the death of his
father, which occurred in the spring of 1868. After this Mr. R. contin-
ued his farming operations and buying and dealing extensively in stock,
in which he was more than ordinarily successful. In December, 1876, he
established a store in Corning, with Henry Hogrefe as a partner. This
firm has since been, and still is one of the leading firms of the county,
having ample means to carry on a large trade. Mr. H. takes charge of
the store, and Mr. R. continues his farming operations. He has 750
acres of land, nearly all in one body. He has recently erected a com-
modious residence which has been furnished in good style, and Mrs. R.'s
good taste and culture is shown not only in and about the house, but in
the yard surrounding it. He married Miss Mary Schmutzer, of this
county, in June, 1861. They have four children : Edmund A., Henry
William, Minnie Lydia, and August. In politics Mr. R. is a Demo-
crat, though not radical in his preferences. His father commenced
here very poor, and it was only by great industry, hard work and rigid
economy that they obtained a start. Mr. R. ranks among the best
financiers in this locality, and is noted for his ability, integrity and busi-
ness capacity. He is comparatively a young man, for the position he
occupies, but is old in experience.
PAUL C. SCHOLZ,
druggist, Corning. The subject of this sketch is the son of Rev. F. W.
Scholz, at present pastor of the Lutheran Church of this place. He was
born in Nashville, Washington County, Illinois, in 1858. He received a
good education in the schools of St. Louis, Missouri, and, after com-
pleting it, he entered the drug store of Jacob Summers, and subsequently
the large drug establishment of his brother, Phillip Scholz, where he^
remained for five years, making the compounding of medicines and
prescriptions a specialty. During the last two years with his brother
he took the entire charge of the business. After traveling for a few
months for his health, he came to this village in 1879, an^ bought the
old drug establishment of Ferris & Campbell, which was the only drug
302 HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
store then in town. This he refitted and put in a new and fresh stock of
drugs, chemicals, paints and oils, etc., etc., and has since been doing a
thriving business, which is increasing from year to year, and extending
into many of the adjoining towns. He is well informed, genial in his
ways, and attentive to the wants of patrons. His father, who was born
in Germany, came to this country in 1842. He was married, in St. Louis,
to Miss Charlotte Alexander, and they have seven children : John, Philip,
Paul C, Lydia, Aggie, Mattie and Mary.
FRED. WILLIAM WALTER,
one of the progressive business men of this county, was born in the
Kingdom of Hanover, Germany, on November 6, 1834. His father
immigrated to this country in 1844, arriving in New Orleans December
24. He and his family came up the river to St. Louis, remaining there
until March, 1845, when he came to Holt County, here locating and
improving a large farm. Fred, worked on the farm with his father, the
latter being engaged principally in wagonmaking. This was continued
until 1870, when they divided the property, and he came to his farm
adjoining Corning, where he now resides. In 1876 he built one of the
best brick dwellings in the county, and has made such other improve-
ments as a stock farm needs. He has in his home farm 640 acres,
adjoining Corning, and has altogether, in this and Atchison County, and
in Nebraska, 1,940 acres, mostly farming lands. Mr. W. married Miss
Mary Dankers, January 30, i860. She was the daughter of Henry Dan-
kers, Esq. They have four children living : Conrad McClellan, Alice
Rebecca, George Emmet and John Andrew Fredrick. In religion he
is a Lutheran, and in politics a conservative Democrat. In 1878 he
started the store of Sedwick, Walter & Co., in this city, the business
being conducted under this firm name until January, 1882, when it was
changed to Walter, Muller & Co., the old firm having established a store
in Fairfax. These firms are among the most responsible business
houses in these counties, and are fast growing into favor with the people.
Mr. Walter has the respect and confidence of the people in his private
business as well as in his public affairs. While having had limited
opportunities for an education himself, he is very public spirited in lend-
ing his influence and using his means in the education of the children of
the place and his own family. His eldest son, Conrad McC, is in the
store with Mr. Muller, learning the mercantile business. Very few men
in the county have been engaged as heavily in the stock dealing busi-
ness as Mr. W., and this, with his large farming operations, together
with giving some attention to the stores, gives him ample opportunities
to try his business capacity. C. H. Walter, the venerable father of
Fred. W., was born in Lingen, Germany, March 4, 1804. He attended
LINCOLN TOWNSHIP. 303
school from the age of seven to fourteen years, then learned the wagon-
making trade. He carried on a shop in Germany and worked a farm,
and in 1844 he came to this country with his family, consisting of a wife
and two children, and located in Holt County, on the farm where he so
long lived. In the freshet of 1881 this whole farm of 500 acres was
washed away, and now forms the bed of the river. On his voyage from
New Orleans the boat on which he had taken passage sank, and he* lost
everything he had except a little money. Mr. Walter married Catharine
Dora Voltmer, in Germany, in November, 1829. Her father was John
Henry Voltmer. They have two children living : Fredrick William
and Lena, the latter born April 3, 1838. She married George Hair, of
this county, a prominent farmer in Union Township. Mr. W. was the
first mechanic of the kind in this township and made the first wagon.
He early became one of the prosperous men here, and his accumulations
were very large. Since his home was destroyed by water he has lived
with his son Fredrick. He has gained for himself a good reputation,
and is honored by all. He is a Lutheran in his religious preferences, and
a Jackson Democrat in political views.
CHAPTER XIII. I
LEWIS TOWNSHIP.
BOUNDARIES— PHYSICAL FEATURES - EARLY SETTLEMENTS- THE FIRST CHURCH— FIRST
DISTILLERY — FIRST POST OFFICE— PIONEER MERCHANTS — WILLIAM BANKS-
BANKS' SPRING — MANX MEN — DANIEL ZOOK — THE FLOAT BRIDGE — POPULUS
TREMULA— ROAD FROM OREGON TO FOREST CITY— MILLS.
BOUNDARIES.
One of the two original divisions of Holt County is Lewis Town-
ship, organized at the April term of 1841, and described in the records
as follows : " Beginning at the middle of the main channel of the Mis-
souri River, where the range between thirty-seven and thirty-eight
intersects said river ; thence north to the northern boundary line of this
county ; thence west to the High Bridge Creek ; thence down said
creek to the Missouri River; thence down the Missouri River to the
place of beginning."
It thus appears that the original limits of Lewis Township included
besides its present territory, a portion of Forbes, one-half of Hickory
and of Clay Townships, and all that territory included within the area
of what is now (1882) Bigelow, Benton, Liberty, Union and Lincoln
Townships, including about four-fifths of the present area of the county,
as well as the greater part of Atchison County, and extending ten
miles within the southern limits of the state of Iowa.
In May, 1841, occurred the first election in Holt County. This
election resulted in the choice of the following officers in Lewis Town-
ship: John Gibson and Gallatin Adkins, justices of the peace, and John
Lewis, constable.
The organization, August 9. 1842, of Benton Township, by which
the base line run by Oiler, surveyor of public lands, was made its
southern boundary reduced the territory of Lewis Township to nearly
its present limits. The subsequent erection of new townships, changed
from time to time, the names and dimensions of the bounding divis-
ions which are at present (1882) as follows : On the north in a distance
of fourteen miles by Bigelow, Benton and Hickory Townships ; on the
east by Nodaway and Forbes Townships ten and a half miles ; on the
south, two miles, by Forbes Township, and on the southwest and south,
in a distance of about twenty-three miles, by the state of Kansas, from
which it is separated by the Missouri River.
LEWIS TOWNSHIP. 305
PHYSICAL FEATURES.
The physical aspect of Lewis Township presents a diversity of sur-
face. About seven miles east of its northwest corner the bluff formation
sets in and extends in a nearly due southwesterly direction through its
limits, in a distance of about ten miles. All to the westward of this bluff
and extending to the Missouri River, including about thirty square miles
of territory, is level bottom land. That lying to the eastward of the
bluffs is high rolling prairie, interspersed with abundance of valuable
timber and well watered by streams of different magnitude. The Tarkio,
which rises in Montgomery County, Iowa, a distance by its course of
more than one hundred and fifty miles, enters Lewis Township, in the
northwest corner of section 6, and flows in a westerly dieection, just
south of Oiler's Base Line, a distance of a little over two miles, into the
Missouri River.
The Little Tarkio enters Lewis Township in fractional section 4,
and running in a southeasterly direction, through what was known in
the original United States surveys, as Impassable Lake, and subsequently
Tarkio Lake, an extensive swamp lying to the northwestward of Forest
City, enters the former bed of the Missouri River, just above that town,
and flowing through that channel, debouches into the present bed of the
river about six miles below the town. This lake or swamp, according to
a survey made in May, 1874, by Stephen C. Collins, who, for twenty
years in the early history of the county, was its surveyor, and who has long
been known for the unwavering accuracy of his work, contains three thou-
sand one hundred and thirteen acres and a fraction. Thomas W. Collins,
attorney at law in St. Joseph, Mo., was employed to secure to the County
of Holt a grant of this land, which he effected through the agency of the
Hon. I. C. Parker, at that time representative in Congress from this dis-
trict, and now (1882) United States District Judge in Arkansas. The
patent, granting this swamp, was presented by said T. W. Collins to the
county court and filed in the clerk's office of that body on the 20th day
of July, 1874. In obedience to petition the county court made an appro-
priation for draining this marsh, and a contract was made in September,
1874, to W. S. Cannon and H. Robinson, for cutting a ditch to subserve
that purpose. The drainage, however, is said to be imperfect, and the
locality, in consequence, unhealthful, and otherwise undesirable. The
water of the Little Tarkio, where the same enters the Missouri River at
the point above mentioned, contributes to form what was formerly
designated as Solomon's Island. The latter stream, at one period, flowed
in a southeasterly direction, below its present mouth, through the south-
ern part of Lewis and Forbes Townships, entering the Missouri River
near the southeastern corner of the county.
20
306 HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
The first settler on the shore of Impassable Lake was Isaac Fill-
more, a cousin of President Millard Fillmore. He came from New York,
in 1841, and settled on the east side of the lake. The Widow May, George
Wood and others were living on its south side in the fall of 1842. Sam-
uel, Amos and Moses Wilds settled west of the lake in the winter of 1842.
With the exception of Michael May a son of the widow, who now lives
on section 27, township 60, range 39, these people are long since gone.
Kimsey Creek enters Lewis Township in fractional section 4, town-
ship 60, range 38, and flowing in a southwesterly direction, enters the
Little Tarkio about a mile and a half above Forest City.
Mill Creek, a considerable stream, which rises in the northeast
quarter of section 24, township 60, range 38, flows in a southwesterly
direction, a distance by its meanderings of fourteen or fifteen miles, into
the lower bed of the Little Tarkio, which it enters in the northwest
quarter of section 9, township 59, range 38, and thus affords running
water in the old forsaken bed of Little Tarlcio from a point about two
and a half miles below Forest City. In many places the old bed of this
stream is filled up, and, in wet seasons, occasions disastrous overflows.
These include the principal streams of Lewis Township. To the noted
Banks' Spring reference is made under the head of " William Banks, the
Pioneer."
On the 20th of March, 1866, Lewis Township was divided, for the •
convenience of election purposes, into East and West Lewis precincts.
This dividing line commences at a point on the northern line of said
township, where the line between sections four and five intersects said
northern line, and extends due south eight and a half miles, to the Mis-
souri River, which it reaches between sections 20 and 21.
Since the first settlement of the county, in 1838, various changes
have occurred in the contour of the territory included in what is now
Lewis Township. These changes, confined to the western and southern
boundaries, have been the result of the ever shifting course of the Mis-
souri River, which is rarely known to flow for any extended period of
time in the same channel.
Immediately following the great overflow of 1844, began to appear
the growth of cotton wood, which, with a later intermingling of other
timber, now, to a considerable extent, where the same has not been
cleared, overspreads these bottoms, which were formerly prairie, and
which may be said to be fathomless in the depths of their exhaustless
fecundity.
EARLY SETTLEMENTS.
We have already referred, in our mention of Forbes Township, to
the fact that while the first two white men who settled in Holt, happened
to locate within the present limits of the last mentioned division of the
LEWIS TOWNSHIP. 307
county, the second arrivals, who appeared in the fall of the same year,
also selected that vicinity, which being in a neighborhood cornering on
the present Townships of Nodaway and Lewis, the two latter townships
were among the earliest to receive population from immigration.
The first white man to settle within the present limits of Lewis
Township was R. H. Russel, present (1882) Judge of the Probate Court
of Holt County. To the arrival of his brother and other settlers in the
fall of 1838, we have already referred in the sketch of Forbes Township.
Early in the spring of 1838, R. H. Russel started in a steamboat from
his early home in Indiana, bound for the Platte Purchase. He had sent
his horse by land with his brother, who, accompanied by the members
of his family, the Sterritts, and one or two others, had started by land
with ox and mule teams. He had, however, a new saddle which, as a
matter of safety, he concluded to bring with him. Before he arrived at
his destination, however, this was stolen by some one who had left the
boat at some intervening landing. In due time he reached Liberty
Landing, with very few dollars in his pockets, and eager for any employ-
ment with the prospect of pay.
Young and unsophisticated, and with little knowledge of the world,
he undertook a job of excavating a cellar, at a stipulated price for the
entire work. When he had accomplished this task he discovered that,
outside of his board, his compensation amounted to about twenty-five
cents per day. He then concluded to try farming, and went to work to
raise a crop of corn on the property of a large land holder by the name
of Hawkins. In this he met with better success. By the time he had
plowed his corn for the last time, the proprietor, pleased with the
industry and intelligence manifested by his young renter, offered him,
at a good salary, the position of overseer of his plantation.
Russel, however, had started for the Land of Promise, and did not
propose to stop short of his destination. He declined the compli-
mentary offer of his friend,, and, leaving his crop to ripen, bent his
course northward. On starting, he managed to purchase, on credit, at
the rate of twenty-five cents per gallon, two barrels of whisky. Borrow-
ing the running gear of an antiquated wagon, he fitted it up with two
or three loose boards, and, loading on his whisky, started on his hun-
dred-mile trip through the wilderness to the new settlement in Holt
County. On his way up, he reached the neighborhood of the trading
point of Robidoux, now St. Joseph, and halted a short distance below
the landing, at a shanty in which a man by the name of Hall had a
stock of furs and pelts. Young Russel was the owner of an antiquated
bull's eye silver watch, to which the proprietor of this establishment
taking a fancy, he gave him for the same four good buffalo robes, which
he afterwards sold for five dollars each. On reaching Ellington's Ferry
on the Nodaway River, not being far from his destination, Russel met a
308 HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
man by the name of John Spence and his brother who together promptly
made him an offer of one dollar per gallon for his whisky if he would
transport it to Jeffrey's Point on the Missouri River. This offer he
promptly accepted, and, heading towards the Point, via the "Big Spring"
now Banks' Spring, below Forest City, he delivered his freight and
starting back with his money, by evening, reached the neighborhood of
his new home where the rest of his party had already arrived. This
was early in the fall of 1838. About the beginning of winter, he
returned with several of his friends and the necessary wagons for mov-
ing his corn. By the time they had gathered the crop and started
homeward, the month of January had arrived ; snow was on the ground;
and by the time they reached the Nodaway River, the weather was
intensely cold. They succeeded in crossing three of their wagons on
the fiatboat ferry. The fourth, however, proved too weighty for the frail
bark, and the entire load was precipitated into the waters of the Noda-
way, after having been safely transported a distance of nearly one hun-
dred miles. In the darkness of the night, amid the bewildering snow of
the wilderness, R. H. Russel lost his way, and, halting his jaded team,
as well in apprehension of wandering from his destination as in consid-
eration of their condition, he passed in the woods a night of no trifling
suffering, to find, by the morning light, that he was but three miles from
his home, which he lost no time in reaching.
The farm settled by this pioneer of Lewis Township was in section
12, township 59, range 38. The land is now (1882) owned by the heirs
of Simeon Conn. Here he put up a rude cabin of small logs or, rather,
poles.
Among the early pioneers referred to as arriving in the fall of 1838,
was James Kee, also from Indiana, a man who met with a sudden and
accidental death, under very peculiar circumstances. Kee was a noted
bee and deer hunter, and generally kept his neighbors in meat and
honey. Regular laborious work he had little taste for, and did not often
engage in. For some time after his arrival, he shared with R. H. Russel
the pole cabin erected by the latter on the above-mentioned spot. Hunt-,
ing, which he made his business, was his delight, and the house was
always well stocked with deer meat, and with wild honey, which they
kept in a large trough hewn out of a linden log. Before the close of
the first decade of this liberal-hearted pioneer in the west, he was
summoned to his last account. In the winter of 1848, while at Grand
Island, Nebraska, on his way to the war, with his company, then under
the command of Captain, afterwards General Craig, of St. Joseph, Kee
started out, in company with Alexander Boyles, an intimate and par-
ticular friend, to have, as it subsequently proved, his last hunt. Mistak-
ing him far a turkey, in the gloom and distance, Boyles shot, and
instantly killed his friend. He was overwhelmed with grief at the result
LEWIS TOWNSHIP. 309
of the terrible accident, and long mourned the disastrous consequences
of his last hunt. He resided in Oregon, in this county, many years after
his return from the war, and finally moved to California, where he died.
By the spring of 1839, the population began to gather in, and the
beauty and fertility of this portion of the county soon attracted settlers.
Among others came H. G. Noland, afterwards judge of the county court,
Roland Burnett, Larkin Packwood, Judge John Gibson, James Crowley,
from Clay County, Missouri, Thomas Crowley, Jacob Martin, William
Thorp, John Thorp, Owen Thorp, the Rev. Dr. G. B. Thorp, of the Hard-
shell Baptist Church, the first minister of the Gospel to locate within the
limits of Holt County, Isaac Massey, Valentine Worley, commonly
called "Pelty Worley," Daniel Sypes, B. B. Grigsby, Alexander Boyles,
Eli Asher, Daniel Hahn, Col. John W. Kelley, the first attorney admitted
to practice at the Holt County bar, William Banks, Judge Samuel Wat-
son, Henry Watson, William Zook, S. C. Collins, for twenty years county
surveyor, Michael May, Felix Frelich, since dead, the original vine-
grower and first man to make wine in the county, William Cook, Rich-
ard Hahn, A. Gemeker, Andrew Meyer, Sr., who, with a numerous family
settled in 1843, (many of his sons are now, 1882, representative citizens
of different parts of the county), Henderson Pinkston.
Judge John Stewart, who was on the county bench from 1842 to
1845, was one of the earliest settlers of the county, and put up the first
blacksmith shop ever started within its limits. This "was in 1839. His
stand was at what was in those days known at the Big Spring, on the
southwest quarter of section 4, township 59, range 38, about two and a
half miles southwest of Oregon, and the same distance southeast of the
site of the present town of Forest City. This is the spot now known as
Banks' Spring, to which full reference will be found elsewhere in this
chapter.
Of the original settlers who came to the county in 1838, but two now
(1882) are living within its limits. These are Judge R. H. Russel, and
Roland Burnett, both of whom reside in Oregon.
THE PIONEER SCHOOL.
The early settlers of Holt County seem to have been fully alive to
the importance of educating their children, and steps in that direction
were early instituted, Lewis Township enjoying the distinction of being
the first to inaugurate within her limits an enterprise of this character.
In the fall of 1839, Uriah Garner began to teach the first school
opened in Holt County. This was in a log cabin, 14x16 feet in extent,
and built by R. H. Russel for a residence, a very rude and primitive
structure. It was located on the southwest corner section 12, township
59, range 38, three and a half miles southeast of Oregon, on a farm now
310 HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
(1882) owned by the heirs of Simeon Conn. Population, in that early
day, was sparse, and the entire school included the children of John
Russel, Thomas Crowley, James Crowley, G. B. Thorp and John Sterritt.
With the influx of population, this temporary shelter soon gave way to
more extensive and better appearing buildings, and perhaps more culti-
vated teachers, but to Uriah Garner undoubtedly belongs the distinction
of being the pioneer teacher of Holt County. He met with a sudden
and violent death, some years after, by being struck over the head with
a spade or pick, in the hands of a man with whom he was working the
road.
THE FIRST CHURCH
built in Holt County was erected in 1843 by the Hard Shell Baptists. It
was a rude frame structure, and stood on section 36, where the west
line of the southeast quarter crosses Mill Creek, in township 60, range
38, about two and a half miles southeast of the town of Oregon, and
within the present limits of Lewis Township. The building has long
since disappeared. The members of the congregation at the organiza-
tion of this church were Judge James Kimsey and wife, Judge James
Adkins and wife, Rev. Dr. G. B. Thorp, John Thorp, Abraham Brown,
and Ethelbert Brown. The wives of the above were also among the
original members, as was also Mrs. Margaret Stephenson. John an<
Daniel Baldwin were also enrolled with the original organizers of the
church. The Rev. Dr. G. B. Thorp, the pastor of this church, was the
first local preacher ever established in Holt County. He began his
labors in 1841, and continued a period of thirty years, up to the time of
his death,, which occurred in 1871. He was also a practitioner of medi-
cine.
The first physician to locate in the township was Dr. Norman, also
the first in the county.
In 1858 the organization moved to the town of Oregon, where they
erected for a place of worship a brick building, to which reference may
be found under the head of "Oregon."
THE FIRST DISTILLERY
in the county was established probably as early as 1840, if not before,
by Daniel Sypes, Sr., the father of Buck Sypes, whose narrow escape
from the conflagration of a lightning-stricken building is fully detailed
in the sketch of Oregon. This distillery was located in Lewis Town-
ship, near the north line of the southeast quarter of section 13, town-
ship 59, range 38. Ten years after its erection, all traces of the build-
ing had disappeared.
LEWIS TOWNSHIP. 3 1 1
FIRST POST OFFICE.
The first post office established in Holt County was located in
Lewis Township. Judge R. H. Russel was the first postmaster appointed.
This was in 1839. He kept the office which was known by the name and
style of " Thorp's Mill," in a hewed log house, which he had erected on
his farm, in section 12, about two hundred yards from the old log cabin,
which he had put up on his first arrival in the country, and in which, in
the following year, he had allowed Uriah Garner to start the pioneer
school of the county, as above stated. Russel was also the contractor
for carrying the mail to Savannah, in Andrew County. This he did
once a week. The mail bag was never very weighty. Four letters were
considered a heavy mail ; and such a thing as a newspaper passing over
the route was unheard of. Postage in those days was twenty-five cents
on a single letter. The post office continued to be maintained here till
the town of Oregon started, in 1842, when Judge Russel appointed Wil-
liam Zook, Sr., who had just opened the first store in that town, to act
as his deputy, and without any other warrant or authority the office was
moved to Oregon.
PIONEER MERCHANTS.
Of George and Augustus Borchers, the first to engage in mercantile
business in the county, mention has already been made in the chapter
on Forbes Township, where their store was located.
WILLIAM BANKS.
Among the pioneers of Holt County who yet remain to tell their
early experiences, is William Banks, who resides on a fine farm in Lewis
Township, about a mile and a-half south of Forest City. Mr. Banks is
the proprietor of several valuable farms in the county. He was born in
the Isle of Man, October 21, 181 1. When a boy of fifteen years of age
he left his native home, went to Liverpool and shipped as a three-years
apprentice on a westward bound vessel. His compensation was seven
pounds sterling, per annum, (less than $34), and out of this he was
required to clothe himself. He made a seven months voyage to Mobile
and back to Liverpool, when he deserted. He subsequently shipped on
board a vessel bound for St. Andrews, and thence went to Baltimore.
After various fortunes he found himself, in 1830, in New Orleans, and
hired as a deckhand on a steamboat. In this capacity he reached St.
Louis, Missouri, about the close of the year 1831. In the spring of 1832
he shipped as a deckhand on the steamboat Yellowstone, commanded
by Captain Bennett. This boat was in the service of the American Fur
Company, and was the first steamer to ascend the Missouri River as far
as the mountains. He relates that, on this trip, he cut ash wood for the
312 HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
boat on a piece of land three and a-half miles below the site of the
present town of Forest City, on which, nine years afterwards, he settled,
and which he afterwards entered. He claims to be, next to Lewis and
Clark, who came up the river in 1803, the first white man who ever trod
the soil of what is now Holt County. He remained three years in the
service of the American Fur Company. When he first shipped as a
deckhand his compensation was fifteen dollars a month. In the service
of this company he soon rose to be mate of the steamboat Howard, with
a salary of one hundred dollars per month. He had continued unin-
terruptedly to follow the river from New Orleans to the mouth of the
Yellowstone for a number of years, and in his day enjoyed the reputa-
tion of knowing the Missouri better than any man who at that time fol-
lowed it.
Determining, at length, to embark in a less laborious calling than
the business of steamboating, in which he had been so long engaged, he
concluded to try merchandising. Accordingly, in partnership with John
C. Mcintosh, clerk of the Thames, he chartered that steamboat, loaded
her with cypress shingles, and other material for erecting a house, and
a seven thousand dollar stock of merchandise. With this cargo he
landed, on the 9th day of August, 1841, on the spot below Forest City,
above referred to as having so forcibly attracted his attention on his first
trip up the then almost unknown stream. This was on a quarter section
of land, on which a mulatto, by the name of Jeffrey Dorway, had squat-
ted. From this squatter he purchased his pre-emption, paying him
therefor the sum of six hundred dollars, one-half in merchandise and the
other half in cash. Mr. Banks, in mentioning this Jeffrey Dorway,speaks
of him as a person of unusual intelligence for his class, as well as a man
of incorruptible integrity. He spoke fluently English, French, and five
Indian languages, and was interpreter between the whites and Indians.
He had been at one time a slave of Joseph Robidoux, the founder of St.
Joseph, but was at the period of his settling, in what was afterwards
Holt County, a free man. It appears that " Dorway " was a corruption
of his original name, Dorine. The spot where Banks settled was called,
from this man, Jeffrey's Point. It was a projection included in south-
west quarter section 15, township 59, range 38. Banks and Mcintosh,
on taking possession of the claim, named the spot Iowa Point. Here
thev proceeded, immediately after landing, to erect their store-house.
It was a building of hewed logs, thirty-six by twenty feet in dimensions,
and one and a half stories high. This they stocked with the goods
which they had brought with them and commenced business. Theirs
was the second mercantile enterprise started in the county. At the end
of fourteen or fifteen months the venture proved a failure, and Mr. Banks
was a considerable loser by the result. In the summer of 1844 he started,
at Iowa Point, Missouri, where his old store and warehouse stood, a flat
LEWIS TOWNSHIP. 313
boat ferry across the Missouri River. Except the people at the Indian
Agency and the Mission there were, at that time, no white people resid-
ing west of the Missouri River, and this was the only ferry on its waters
above Robidoux Landing. His enterprise was regarded as a wild exper-
iment, but it was ultimately crowned with success. In the summer of
1844, just as he had completed his boat, a command of three hundred
United States cavalry appeared on the river bank. For transporting
these across, which undertaking he effected in the course of half a day,
he was paid the sum of fifty dollars. This was the first money received
by him for ferriage, and with it he entered forty acres of land.
Iowa Point was for many succeeding years a noted crossing on the
Missouri River, and William Banks long enjoyed the reputation of being
the most expert ferryman on its waters. During the great California
emigration Banks' Ferry, though propelled by hand power, did an
immense business, frequently paying in a single day over one hundred
and forty-four dollars clear of all expenses. Banks continued to operate
the ferry till 1856, when he sold it. He also, for many years, cut and
supplied wood to the boats passing up and down the river. The original
quarter on which he settled in 1841, when he first purchased the pre-
emption of Jeffrey Dorway, he entered in 1844. Nearly, if not all, the
original tract has long since been engulfed in the encroachments of the
Missouri, and with it, of course, the original Iowa Point.
By permission of William Banks, the point in Kansas opposite the
original Iowa Point, Missouri, was so named by John Pemberton and
Harvey Foreman.
Mr. Banks' landed possessions in Holt County at one time extended
from a point below the present site of Forest City, two and a-half miles
along the bank of the Missouri River, and included a tract of eight hun-
dred and forty acres.
BANKS' SPRING.
On his present home place, which is about a mile and a-half south-
east of Forest City, and about the same distance southwest of Oregon, is
a remarkable fountain, known as Bank's Spring. The water here gushes
from the base of the rocky bluff in a stream of considerable volume and
remarkable purity, flowing in a westerly direction. This stream sup-
plies a tank of the Kansas City, St. Joseph and Council Bluffs Railroad,
which runs diagonally through the southwest corner of his quarter sec-
tion, number 4, of township 59, range 38, Lewis Township, about a
quarter of a mile from his residence, and the source of the spring. This
residence is strikingly peculiar. It is a small, two story structure, and
would be scarcely worthy of mention, but from the enormous thick-
ness of its walls, which are of limestone, two feet through. Mr. Banks is
the owner of over a thousand acres of valuable farming land in the bot-
314 HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
torn and uplands. He was never married. He is a well preserved man
in full possession of his faculties, and endowed with a remarkably accu-
rate and retentive memory. The varied experiences of his early pioneer
life he delights to impart, and many of these incidents he relates in a
manner which renders them attractive and pleasing, while an air of sin-
cerity marks his utterance, entirely disarming any suspicion that may
arise of a desire on his part to indulge in that propensity for romancing,
for which pioneers and travelers are proverbially distinguished.
MANX MEN.
Mr. Banks is not the only Manx Man in the county. In the spring
of 1847, Thomas Cottier arrived from the Isle of Man, and settled his
present (1882) home place in Lewis township, on the southeast quarter
of section 9, township 60, range 38, on the waters of Kimsey Creek. This
is now one of the best farms in the county. It includes twelve acres of
an apple orchard, (six hundred bearing trees) besides a peach orchard of
as many trees, also pear trees and a vineyard. Mrs. Catharine Cottier,
his mother, who resides with her children is still, at the advanced age of
eighty years, living in the enjoyment of excellent health and spirits.
Through the influence of Mr. Cottier, more than five hundred people
have been induced to leave the Isle of Man and settle in Holt County,
besides others who, on arriving in the United States, selected Kansas
for their new homes.
DANIEL ZOOK,
the third to sell goods within the limits of Holt County, also began in
Lewis Township. This was Daniel Zook, Sr., who, in the fall of 1841,
came from Ohio. He sold a few goods in a house on a farm now owned
by the Widow Polluck, and included in the southeast quarter of section
15, township 59, range 38, on the waters of Little Tarkio Creek, about
three and a half miles south of the site of the present town of Oregon.
He remained here a very short time, when he returned home. Arriving
again, in the spring of 1842, he built on the site of the town of Oregon,
the first house ever erected in the place, as specially referred to under
the head of Oregon.
Of the original settlers of Holt County, but two now survive.
These are Judge R. H. Russel and Roland Burnett, both residents of the
town of Oregon.
In the early days of the county's history, when the population was
scattered and neghborhoods were widely separated, camp meetings
were a recognized necessity. One of the earliest, if not the first, of
these was held by the Methodists, in the summer of 1844, up a hollow
leading from the old mill in the north part of Forest City. Its site was
LEWIS TOWNSHIP. 3 I 5
a farm at that time, owned by Thomas Edwards, and now the property
of Mr. Smith. The attendance at this meeting, though small, compared
with the gatherings of the present time, included, for those days, a very
large attendance.
THE FLOAT BRIDGE.
As early as 1839 there was built across the Little Tarkio, on the
southwest corner of section 15, township 59, range 38, a rather remark-
able crossing of the road extending between the Thorp settlement, in
the eastern part of Lewis Township, and Hetrick's Landing, on the
Missouri River, the oldest established thoroughfare in the county. The
latter point, which was in section 20, township 59, range 38, has long
since disappeared by the encroachments of the Missouri. This crossing
was known for several years as the " Float Bridge," and was so designa-
ted from the circumstance that it rested on floating logs, attached to
each other and secured by fastenings to either bank. The Little Tarkio,
in those days a deep, bold stream, was at this point not less than sixty
feet wide, with a depth, at low water stage, varying from four to over six
feet. William Hetrick and his brother Joseph had a small trading post
at this landing, their stock in trade consisting chiefly of whisky, which
they sold surreptitiously to the Indians. It was for a time an entrepot
for Oregon, and goods were hauled from the boats which landed here to
that locality, as well as to neighboring stores.
One of the most remarkable natural features of Lewis Township is
an extensive grove of the
POPULUS TREMULA,
or quaking-aspen, said to be the only sight of the kind in the state, or,
indeed west of the Mississippi River. This grove is about a mile and a
half southeast of Oregon. It is chiefly on the farm of James L. Allen, in
the northeast quarter of section 2, township 59, range 38, near the waters
of Mill Creek, but extends considerably beyond it. The grove, which is
a spontaneous growth, covers an area of about twenty acres, and, in the
season of foliage is a truly singular and beautiful sight. The trees,
which appear to be of uniform shape, a characteristic resulting, perhaps,
from the denseness of the growth in this spot, suggest the idea of a
gigantic cane-brake. One of the striking peculiarities of these trees is
the silvery appearance of the bark of even the largest and oldest among
them, most of which seem to range from sixty to eighty feet in height.
The aspen is a graceful tree when growing in solitary contrast to more
familiar timber, but viewed in a dense mass, like this grove, it is as strik-
ingly beautiful as it is novel. The bark of the aspen is considered by
many to possess certain valuable medicinal properties, and the fame of
this celebrated grove, at one time, drew those who esteem the remedy,
3l6 HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
from remote districts of Nebraska and Iowa in quest of the healing cuti-
cle. It is estimated that the average yield of this grove, if cut down,
would be, at least, forty cords of wood to the acre.
ROAD FROM OREGON TO FOREST CITY.
Among the important improvements of Lewis Township is the dirt
road extending in a bee line, east and west, between Oregon and Forest
City, a distance from the railroad depot in the latter town, to the streets
of the former, of two and a half miles. The distance on this road
between the corporate limits of the two towns is about a mile and three-
fourths. This road, which is the result of some very heavy grading, was
built in 1874 at a cost of five thousand dollars, and is one of the best con-
structed in the country. Its Oregon terminus is two hundred and thirty-
five and one-half feet higher than the site of the depot in Forest City.
MILLS IN LEWIS TOWNSHIP.
The first mill built within the limits of what is now Lewis Town-
ship was the first put up in Holt County. It was, in its day, known as
Thorp's Mill, and was operated by water power. It stood on the waters
of Mill Creek, on the northeast quarter of section 2, township 59, range
38, about two and a-half miles southeast of the town of Oregon, on a
farm now owned by W. H. Sterritt, a merchant of that place. William
Thorp, who, in 1844, built this pioneer structure, came from Clay County,
Missouri. He is now (1882) living, at an advanced age, in the State of
Oregon. About the period of the Mexican War he sold out to Judge
R. H. Russel and others, who, in turn, sold the mill to William Hobson,
Sr. It was for years after a noted institution in this section of the coun-
try. It finally fell to the possession of John Deffenbaugh, and was long
known as the Deffenbaugh Mill. It was originally fitted up with one
run of burrs. As it grew in importance another run was added. It was
for years a noted mill, and was latterly propelled by a Leffel Turbine
Wheel. A pool below the dam, which collected the water for this mill,
was for many years used by different Christian denominations of the
vicinity for baptismal purposes. Its establishment, in 1841, was an era
in the history of the county. For three years prior to that period resi-
dents of that infant settlement were under the necessity of going to mill
to Weston, a distance of sixty miles, and often as far as Liberty, in Clay
County, one hundred miles distant. Hence originated the common say-
ing of that day, "One hundred miles to mill." The machinery was
moved from this mill about 1875.
The second mill erected in Lewis Township was built, in an early
day, by Samuel Foster, Sr., and was known as Foster's Mill. It was
LEWIS TOWNSHIP. 3 17
originally a log house, but was afterwards rebuilt a frame. It stood on
the east fork of Mill Creek. The machinery was moved out, and the mill
abandoned about the close of the year 1874. It had become the prop-
erty of T. W. Collins, who sold the machinery and building to J. L.
Gomel, of Whig Valley. The elevated stone foundation and decaying
frame superstructure of this mill still (1882) stands.
Samuel Watson's Carding Machine and Fulling Mill was built in
1846, on the waters of Mill Creek, which supplied the power of the
machinery. It stood on the southwest quarter section 36, township 60,
range 38, about two miles southeast of Oregon. For many years this
mill did an extensive business, commanding a large trade with portions
of Atchison, Nodaway and Andrew Counties. In consequence of the
steady decrease in the supply of water in the creek the site was aban-
doned, and in 1862 the machinery of the factory was transferred to Ore-
gon and set up in a building in that town, as mentioned in our notice of
the manufacturing interests of that place. There are few changes in the
general aspect, not only of the county, but of the entire Purchase, more
remarkable than the present absorption of streams that were, in an early
day, of sufficient volume to afford motive power to machinery, and the
stranger is surprised to learn that, on the road leading from Forest City
to Oregon, and about half a mile from the latter place, there was built,
in 1845, on the southwest corner of section 27, township 60, range 38, on
Clark's Branch, a grist mill, turned by the water of that now feeble and
often scarcely visible stream. This mill was built by Russell Turney,
with an undershot wheel, and operated by him for many years, though
it had been numbered with the things of the past long prior to the civil
war. The mill house was a two story building, fairly appointed. S. C.
Collins, a pioneer, and for upwards of twenty years surveyor of the
county, speaks of having grist ground at this mill, which, in its day, did
a good business.
Russell Turney also afterwards built a saw-mill on Kimsey Creek
on the southeast quarter of section 19, township 60, range 38, one mile
above Forest City. This he operated from the time of its completion in
1850 till the breaking out of the war in 1861. As early as 1854, Daniel
Kunkel.had built on Kimsey Creek, on the northwest quarter of section
9, township 60, range 38, a saw-mill, which was turned by the water of
this stream.
About ten years prior to this, P. Jackson had a saw-mill on the
same creek. This was also a water-power, and stood on the southeast
quarter of section 18, township 60, range 38. These are all numbered
with the things of the past. Martin Lewis' saw-mill built in 1856, stood
on the northeast quarter of section 3, township 59, range 38. It has
long since disappeared. The site of the mill is now owned by John
Weis.
3 18 HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
In the same year Samuel Hahn built a steam-power saw-mill on a
a slough in the southeast quarter of section 21, township 59, range 38.
The boiler of this mill exploded, and the mill took fire and burned
down before the war.
On the southeast quarter of section 4, township 59, range 38, about
two and a half miles southwest of Oregon, on Mill Creek, and about
three-quarters of a mile below the site of the Martin Lewis saw-mill,
stood the old Scott mill, built by George Scott in 1849, and long since
numbered with the things of the past. It was, in its day, one of the
most important institutions of its kind in this section of country, and
as late as 1858 was in full operation, with six run of burrs, four saws,
four looms, one spinning-jack, one picker, four carders and condensers,
with fulling mill, scouring and shearing machinery. The portable
steam saw-mills of a more recent day, however, superceded the waning
power of water-fall in the gradually and steadily diminishing streams,
and a corresponding degree of power being required to operate the
larger woolen mills, they, in turn, were moved from the failing water
courses and subjected to the power of steam. Daniel Hahn built and
operated, before the war, a saw-mill on the southwest quarter of sec-
tion 3, township 59, range 38. This, in common with many others, has
long since disappeared.
Philander Johnson built, in 1857, a grist-mill on Little Tarkio, on
the northeast quarter of section 9, township 60, range 39. After the late
war a steam saw-mill was added. Both mills have long since disap-
peared. Van Camp's steam saw-mill, on the southeast quarter of sec-
tion 15, township 60, range 37, is still (1882) in operation.
Of the others, at present, in operation, the most comprehensive are
the Kunkel Mills located on the North Fork of Mill Creek, on the south-
east quarter of section 26, township 60, range 38, one half mile east of
the town of Oregon. The original building, which was erected by
Daniel Kunkel in 1850, was a frame structure on a stone foundation.
The extensive brick addition was put up during the war. The works
included a flouring mill and woolen factory. The firm is known by the
name and style of Daniel Kunkel & Sons. Each member owns a third
interest in the concern. This is one of the institutions of Northwest
Missouri, and is worthy of more than a passing notice.
The woolen factory and grist mill have an area of thirty-six by
ninety-eight feet. It is built on a stone basement eleven feet high.
The superstructure, chiefly of brick, consists of two full stories with a
hip story, constituting, in all, four floors. This building cost, with the
machinery with which it is supplied, upwards of twenty-five thousand
dollars. This machinery was manufactured at the Buckeye Engine
Works of Salem, Ohio. The engine and boiler were built to order for
Kunkel's factory. These were shipped in through cars from the place
LEWIS TOWNSHIP. 319
of manufacture to Forest City and hauled over the splendid road which
connects that town with Oregon, by means of heavy ox teams, to the
mill premises. The boiler and engine each weigh four tons, and the
smoke stack, etc., four more, making the entire weight about 20,000
pounds. The engine, a one hundred and ten horse power, is one of the
largest and most powerful ever brought to the Upper Missouri Valley,
and cost, including transportation, about four thousand dollars.
The cloth factory is fitted up with one broad Compton loom for
double width cloth, and four narrow looms. These operate in all three
hundred and sixty spindles, and turn out on an average one hundred and
twenty-five yards per day of cloth. The appliances are one set of forty
inch machinery for carding and spinning, a first and second breaker, a
seven roll condenser, one set of twenty-four inch machines, one carding
machine for common rolls, shearing machine, fulling machine and
scourer. In fact, all the necessary appliances for manufacturing cloth.
This factory was first established in 1863, and has proved a success from
its earliest inception. The grist mill attached to this institution was a
water power, operated by an overshot wheel twenty-five feet in diame-
ter, until the summer of 1881, when the growing uncertainty of water
supply induced the substituting in its stead of steam. This first went
into operation in 185 1. It is fitted up with four run of burrs and one
pair of rolls, making it equivalent to a five run mill. It has besides, all
the appliances of a first class mill with a grinding capacity of many
thousand pounds per day of flour, of which it turns out an excellent
quality.
There are, besides the above, two other flouring mills in Lewis
Township, both of which are located in Forest City: East Forest Mills
and Zook & Cannon's Mills, but known as the Forest City Mills. There
is also a saw mill in the town. A full reference to these interests will
be found under the head of Forest City.
!;[&«-*•
CHAPTER XIV.
OREGON AND FOREST CITY.
WHEN LAID OUT AND NAMED FINLEY-CHANGED TO OREGON-FIRST AND SECOND SALE
OF LOTS-SPECIAL ACT OF CONGRESS - EARLY SETTLERS- BUILDINGS-COUNTY
COURT— FIRST SCHOOL— FIRST PREACHER-PHYSICIANS— POST MASTER— LIGHT-
NING— MILL-CHURCHES-SECRET SOCIETIES- WOMAN'S UNION- LITERARY SOCIE-
TIES—NORMAL AND PUBLIC SCHOOLS-NEWSPAPER ENTERPRISES-IMPROVEMENTS
- BANKS-BUSINESS— MAYORS — CONCLUDING REMARKS — POSTMASTERS — FOREST
CITY— EARLY BUILDINGS— SCHOOLS— HOTEL— EARLY BUSINESS— BREWERY— TOWN
INCORPORATED— CHURCHES— SECRET ORDERS— BANKS— NEWSPAPERS— MILLS AND
MANUFACTURERS-PRESENT BUSINESS — ORIGINAL SETTLERS — INDIAN BURIAL
GROUND— SHIPPING INTERESTS— BIOGRAPHICAL.
THE CITY OF OREGON.
We have seen in a former chapter that Finley (now Oregon), the
county seat of Holt County, was laid out on the 21st day of June, 1841,1
by John A. Williams, Edward Smith and Travis Finley, the commission-j
ers who were appointed for that purpose by the legislature.
At the October term, i88i,held at the house of Jacob Martin, Judges
Noland, Crowley and Kimsey on the bench, the commissioner, John
Thorp, presented his plot of the town, which was ordered to be certified
to the recorder's office for record.
On the following day, October 22, 1841, the original name of the
county seat, Finley, was changed, and it was "Ordered that the county
seat of Holt County be called and known by the name of Oregon, and
which name is hereby given to said county seat."
FIRST SALE OF LOTS.
The first sale sale of lots occurred on the 21st and 22d days ofOcto
ber, 1841, and the commissioner was granted till the next term of court
to complete said sale. His report of the same does not appear to hav(
been rendered till the May term, 1842, of the county court, which was
held at the house of the Widow Jackson, as the following entry of tha'
period shows :
"John Thorp makes the following settlement as commissioner o
the seat of justice of Holt County, as follows :
A list of money received upon sale of Town Lots in the County Seat 0
Holt County :
OREGON AND FOREST CITY. 321
James Kimsey . .• $ 3 9°
George Borchers 4 OO
B. B. Grigsby 1260
B. B. Grigsby 13 20
Richard Linville 8 80
William Estes 10 50
Cornelius Dorland 15 30
John Russel 6 00
James S. Noland 3 80
Smith Mclntyre 10 00
William Thorp 6 50
C. Dorland 2 32
John Gibson 2 06
Total $99 58
Paid by order of the county court and allowed 85 90
$14 08
Four per cent., allowed by law 3 98
Balance in hands of commissioner $10 10
SECOND SALE OF LOTS.
We have already referred to the first sale of lots in the town of
Oregon, which occurred in October, 1841. The embarrassment on the
part of the court in view of their mistaken action in locating the town
site on two different quarters, has already been mentioned. Probably
in view of this perplexity it was ordered by that body, at their April
term, 1842, that all persons who had bought lots in the town of Oregon,
the county seat of Holt County, be allowed the privilege to relinquish
said lots to the county of Holt, providing said relinquishment be made
by May 14, 1842, and that the commissioner advertise this order. The
records show that several purchasers availed themselves of the benefit
of this order.
After various attempts to right the matter before the courts and the
land office, on a memorial to congress rendered April, 1842, a special
act was passed by that body to relieve the difficulty by legalizing the
location of the town site ; and the space of twelve months was given
the commissioner wherein to enter the land On appearing a day or
two before the expiration of the year, the authorities at the land office
in Plattsburg declined, in view of the existence of the dispute, to accept
the tender. The matter was finally decided in favor of the town by the
United States Commissioner of the General Land Office, in Washing-
ton. On the 16th day of May, 1842, occurred, by special order, the
21
322 HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
second sale of lots in the town of Oregon, and the same was reported
by Commissioner John Thorp at the June term of the Holt County
Court, held at Mrs. Rachel Jackson's house, as follows :
James Landingham, lot 4, in block 15, $62 oo|
Wesley Plumer, lot 1, in block 14, 42 00
A. P. Jackson, lot 1 , in block 1 1, . . . . *. 115 00
Richard Linville, lot 8, in block 6, 105 00
John Thorp, lot 7, in block 6, 36 ool
William Cashbarger, lot 6, in block 7, 93 ool
William Zook, lot 2, in block 15, 97 ool
John Zook, lot 3, in block 15, ... 92 ool
Franklin Cooley, lot 8, in block 7, 90 00
Daniel Hahn, lot 7, in block 8, 86 00
Noah Sypes, lot 2, in block 16, 81 00
Richard Linville, lot 5, in block 6, 50 00
$949 00
EARLY SETTLERS AND BUILDINGS.
In the fall of 1841, Daniel Zook, Sr., emigrated from Ohio, and set-
tled in Holt County, in the neighborhood of what was afterwards the
town of Oregon. He brought with him a portion of a stock of merchan-
dise, and, though not regularly engaged in the business, is said to have
sold a few goods during that fall. In the following winter he went back
to Ohio, and in the spring of 1842, returned with his family, which
included his son, William Zook, who afterwards became a well-known
banker of St. Joseph, Missouri, where he died in the spring of 1876;
John Zook, who died in the spring of 1843, in Oregon ; Sarah A. Zook,
afterwards the wife of W. Hill, of Holt County; Daniel Zook, Jr., now
(1882) a leading member of the Holt County bar, and Thomas, his twin
brother, who died young ; Levi Zook, a capitalist of Oregon.
Daniel Zook, Sr., and his son William, built in Oregon, the first
house in the place. This was on a lot on Missouri Street, on the south side
of the court house, and was purchased at the sale above mentioned. In
this house they opened in June, 1842, the first stock of goods ever offered
for sale in the town of Oregon. In the fall of the same year, Daniel
Zook, Sr., died. On the occasion of his death, the county court located
the present cemetery at the southeast corner of the town site, and the
body of Daniel Zook, Sr., the pioneer merchant of the infant town of
Oregon, was the first to rest beneath the sod of its virgin soil.
William Zook, on the death of his father, continued to sell goods in
Oregon, till 1856. He was, however, engaged in business in Forest City,
and elsewhere in the county, up to the period of his death. He was also
prominently identified with the pork packing interests of Forest City and
OREGON AND FOREST CITY. 323
St. Joseph, and assisted in organizing the First National Bank, of St.
Joseph, and afterwards the Colhoun Bank in that city. Of both these
institutions he was the first president. An eminently successful busi-
ness man, he was also recognized as a liberal and public spirited citizen.
The second store started in the town of Oregon was opened by
McLaughlin & Robidoux, in October, 1842. P. L. McLaughlin, the
senior member of the firm and manager of the business, afterwards
became a wealthy merchant and representative citizen of St. Joseph,
Missouri, where he died, late in life. Jule Robidoux, the other member
of the firm, was a son of the founder of St. Joseph.
Edward Poor, in partnership with a man by the name of Ross,
started, in the fall of the same year, the first blacksmith shop in the place.
The first hotel in the town was built by Richard Linville, in the
summer of 1842. This, though the second raised in the town, was not the
second house completed. It was a log house, with four rooms below, and
a hall running through the center. Above this were two rooms. This,
in that day and locality, important structure stood on the northwest by
north outside corner of the public square, the site of the present spa-
cious three story brick block, in which are the business houses of Ira
Peter and of D Martin, the Masonic Hall, etc.
It appears that the Honorable County Court, of Holt County, assem-
bled for the first time in the county seat, at their August term, 1842, on
the eighth day of said month. The court house, however, not being
completed, the unfinished bar room of Linville's Hotel was made to sub-
serve the purpose of a court room. The building indeed was covered
with a roof, but otherwise it presented the appearance of a vast pen.
The interstices between the logs were neither chinked nor pointed. As
yet, no floor had been laid ; the aperture for a window contained no
sash, and the doorway was unprovided with a door. This extemporized
hall of justice, however, presented the redeeming feature of coolness,
for its ventilation was unstinted. The assembled court assumed no airs
of undue importance, and the luxuries and superfluities of chairs and
tables were dispensed with, while the judicial wisdom of Holt County
seated itself astride the sleepers of the building on which a floor was,
some day, intended to be laid ; and those who waited on its august
decrees either stood or seated themselves on chunks of timber lying
conveniently around. This picture of Spartan simplicity and lofty
indifference to surrounding circumstances, was described to the writer
by a representative citizen of the town of Oregon, who, then a small
boy, and wonderfully impressed with a sense of respect for the dignity
of a court which, in his infant mind, was associated with the idea of
authority to hang or otherwise punish people, could not restrain an
expression of amazement and disgust at the astounding difference
between the imaginary and actual court.
324 HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
The first saloon in Oregon was started by Ross, the pioneer black-
smith, in the fall of 1842. His stand was on the north side of Nodaway
Street, one block west of the court house square, where it remained for
several succeeding years.
The third store established in the town was moved, in the fall of
1842, by Mcintosh & Banks, from a trading post at Iowa Point Landing,
Missouri, about four or five miles southwest of Oregon. This completed
the mercantile business of the first year of the existence of the county
seat.
FIRST SCHOOL.
The first school in Oregon was taught by John Collins. It was
opened in the fall or winter ol 1843, in a squatter's cabin, which stood in
a hollow in the northeast quarter of the town. Among the first pupils
who attended this initial school, to the number of about thirty, were Levi
Zook, now (1882) a representative citizen of the town : Isam Prior, John,
Mary and Sarah, children of Roland Burnett, who had pre-empted the
eighty on which a part of the town was afterwards located ; George Rus-
sel, a nephew of Judge R. H. Russel, of the present probate court of Holt
County ; the children of the Thorps, of Jacob Martin, and of Larkin
Packwood, who had pre-empted the other eighty on which the town was
located ; Paris Pfouts, Cora Pfouts, afterwards wife of P. L. McLaughlin,
and Col. Kelley's sons. Mary Burnett, one of the pupils above referred
to, afterwards became the wife of John Collins, the teacher. Mr. Collins
died in 1854. Sarah Burnett married Thomas Collins, Esq., a well known
attorney of St. Joseph, Missouri. The winter of 1843-44, during which
this school was taught, is remembered by the early settlers as one of the
coldest in the annals of the Purchase. Snow birds, in vast numbers
were rendered so tame by the protracted snow and cold weather, that
they would fly into the cabins of the settlers on the openings of their
doors or windows.
FIRST PREACHER.
The first to preach the Gospel in the town of Oregon was E. M.
Marvin, afterwards the renowned Bishop of the Methodist Episcopal
Church. His first sermon was delivered in the fall or winter of 1842, in
the old frame court house, the building now owned by William H. Ster-
ritt, on the northwest by east, inside corner of the square, or northeast
corner of Washington and Nodaway Streets, opposite the public square
In those days the future Bishop, who achieved long before the period 0
his death a national reputation, was a young circuit rider, and, in com-
mon with others of his calling and position in the newly-trodden west
was endowed with but few of the world's goods. It is said that on th(
occasion of his first appearance in his missionary capacity in Oregon th<
OREGON AND FOREST CITY. 325
seedy and dilapidated condition of his garments excited the compassion
of the pioneer merchant of the town, who presented him with jeans suf-
ficient to make him the suit of clothes of which he stood sorely in need,
and which he gratefully accepted. William Zook, the merchant refer-
red to, was at that time a member of no religious organization. He
afterwards, however, united with the First Presbyterian Church in
Oregon, in building which, with Dr.' Peter, he was largely interested.
F. S. Rostock, Sr., now a resident of Oregon, taught, in 1846, the first
singing school in the town. He settled in Oregon in 1845, and for twenty
years after pursued his avocation of teacher of vocal music. Mr. Rostock,
a native of Germany, immigrated to Ohio, in 1832, and thence to Holt
County, Missouri, in 1845.
PHYSICIANS.
The first physician to settle in the town was Dr. J. C. Norman.
About the same time, or shortly after, came Dr. Jabez Robinson and Dr.
Carr. Dr. Norman settled in Oregon about 1842. He was the first phy-
sician to locate in the town, as well as the first in the county.
The first post office established in the county was, as before stated,
in Lewis Township, near Thorp's Mill, and the first postmaster was R. H.
Russel, the present (1882) Judge of the Probate Court. On the estab-
lishment of the county seat Russel moved the office to Oregon, and
appointed there, as his deputy, William Zook, in whose store it contin-
ued for some time after. The first to hold the office, by appointment, as
postmaster of the town of Oregon was Dr. J. C. Norman. He was for
many years a resident of the county and town, but subsequently moved
to California, where he died in 1870. M. S. Norman, of the firm of Pat-
terson, Noyes & Co., St. Joseph, a son of the late Dr. Norman, was the
first white child born in the town of Oregon. His birth occurred in Jan-
uary, 1842.
The first tailor to settle in Holt County was G. W. Baxter, a brother-
in-law of Peter and Blank Stephenson. He located in Oregon, in 1842,
and built the second house in the town.
The log hotel described as standing on the northwest corner of
Nodaway and Washington streets, and built by Richard Linville in 1842,
was kept by him for several successive years. It finally became the
property of Francis M. Pollock, who enlarged the building, weather
boarded the entire structure without, and plastered it within. Previ-
ously to this Daniel Zook, Sr., and afterwards his son, William, had as a
matter of accommodation, entertained during the sessions of the courts,
the officials and many of the attendants on the same. Pollock's improve-
ments on the original hotel, however, added a reputation which gave the
house a sudden popularity, and it was liberally patronized. But alas,
for the stability of human affairs ! On the evening of the 8th of July,
326 , HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
185 1, a terrible visitation befel the doomed structure and its unfortunate
inmates : About 8 o'clock on the evening of July 8, 185 1, while a party
composed of Daniel Sypes, Jr., commonly called " Buck Sypes," a lad of
about seventeen years, and son of Daniel Sypes, who started in 1842,
about four or five miles southeast of town, the first distillery in the county,
Francis M. Pollock, the landlord, James Fortune, John Job, James Thorp,
a hostler, and an Englishman, whose names are now unknown, were
assembled in the bar room of the hotel, the building was struck by light-
ning, with the most disastrous results. The bolt fell upon the southeast
corner of the room, the electric fluid communicating instantly along the
wall to the northeast corner, and there exploded a barrel ot brandy, one
of alcohol and one of Bourbon whisky. The flaming contents of the
barrels instantly flooded the room, enveloping in flames every occupant.
Job, who at the time was standing near the counter, was knocked down
by the concussion, and almost entirely consumed by the devouring ele-
ment, nothing but his skull and a few scattering pieces of bone being
afterwards recovered. Fortune and Pollock were badly burned, the
former dying before daylight, and the latter at sunrise. The hostler
died in about seven days, and Thorp a day or two after. The English-
man also died. The only one of the entire party who recovered was
Buck Sypes. Standing near the window at the time, he was completely
overcome by the instantaneous and powerful results of the stroke, but
fortunately, with the instinct of self-preservation rather than from any
presence of mind, he dashed out the window sash, and jumped through
to the street. In the frenzy of terror, he started on a run for his home,
five miles and a-half distant. Though the rain at the time was falling in
torrents, the flames from his burning clothes were not extinguished when
he reached Mill Creek, a stream three-fourths of a mile southeast of the
burning building. He plunged into a mill pond, through which the
stream ran, and waded through to the opposite side, thus completely
extinguishing the fire in his clothing. He was terribly burned, and was
confined to his bed eight weeks, in consequence of injuries sustained in
the catastrophe. He ultimately recovered, but retained upon his person
up to the period of his death, which occurred in the spring of 1881, the
marks of his terrible experience. Frank M. Pollock, who died as above
stated about sunrise on the following morning, directed before he
breathed his last, that he should be buried with his head to the east,
thus facing the west. His reason for this request has been variously
interpreted. He was a man of reputable standing in the community.
He had served several terms as constable, and was sheriff of the county
from 1846 to 1850.
The first attorney to settle in Oregon was James Foster, from Ohio.
He had been boarding at Mrs. Jackson's, and moved to Oregon in
1842.
OREGON AND FOREST CITY. 327
The first livery stable in the town of Oregon was started by Alder-
son Keaton, in 1853. This was located on Nodaway Street, two blocks
east of the Court House Square, on the site now occupied by the stable
of Samuel Stuckey.
MILL.
The first and only mill ever erected in the town of Oregon was built
by Utt & Watson, in 1854. It was a steam flouring mill. The mem-
bers of this firm were John H. Utt, now a representative citizen of White
Cloud, Kansas, and Judge Samuel Watson, for many years an honored
member oi the county bench. The deserted structure, a tall frame build-
ing, on a lofty stone basement, still (1882) stands in the southeast part
of the town, a gloomy relic of other days. It was, when first built, pro-
vided with two run of burrs. In the following year a circular saw was
added. In 1862 Judge Watson moved the machinery of his carding and
fulling mill from Mill Creek to Oregon, and located it in this building.
This change was made in view of the failure of the volume of water in
the creek, which had supplied the power of the original mill. The flour-
ing mill was operated in Oregon four years, and the carding and spin-
ning mill six years. In 1858 Utt & Watson dissolved partnership,
whereupon John H. Utt, the senior member of the firm, moved the
machinery of the flouring mill to White Cloud, Kansas. In 1864 Judge
Watson sold his machinery for the manufacture of cloth to Daniel Kunkel,
Sr., who moved it to his mill on Mill Creek, about one-half or three-
quarters of a mile east of Oregon. An attempt was made by one John
Mclntyre, in 1878, to start a corn mill in the long-deserted building, but
the enterprise proved a failure. The ghostly and unsightly structure of
this relic of early enterprise is now the property of J. B. Payne, of Oregon.
CHURCHES.
The structure of the Old School Presbyterian Church was the first
ecclesiastical edifice erected in the town of Oregon. It is a brick build-
ing, on Main Street, opposite the court house square, and was completed
in 1853, chiefly through the exertions of William Zook and Dr. H. W.
Peter. Its cost was about $2,500. The church was organized by the
Rev. S. M. Irvin and the Rev. William Hamilton, of the Iowa and Sac
Mission in the Indian Territory, and of the Presbytery of Nebraska, in
the old court house building on the northwest corner of Nodaway and
Washington Streets, the building now (1882) owned and occupied as a
store by H. Sterritt. The original ten members were Samuel Dunn,
Margaret Jane Dunn, Joseph Evens, Hila Evens, Dr. H. W. Peter, Jane
Peter, R. G. Emmerson, Jane Emmerson, John Meyer and Sarah Meyer.
After a sermon, John Meyer and H. W. Peter having been previously
328 HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
chosen by the members, were ordained Ruling Elders according to the
form of government of the Presbyterian Church. On the Sabbath fol-
lowing, the 2d, of January, 1853, the sacrament of the Lord's Supper was
administered by Rev. William Hamilton, at which time Miss Sarah
Cooper, upon examination, and after being baptized by the Rev. S. M.
Irvin, was admitted to full membership in the church.
The above proceedings are certified on the church book as correct,
by Rev. S. M. Irvin, of the Presbytery of Nebraska. At the session of
April 5, 1856, William Zook and Elizabeth Sterritt were received into
the church by certificate. The first regular minister of this church was
the Rev. William Fulton. He served from 1853 to i860.
During a considerable portion of the period of the civil war, the
church was without a regular pastor. Services, however, were held from
time to time, by Rev. William Hamilton, S. M. Irvin, McCane, Jennings
Symington and others from the Mission and elsewhere. In 1864, Rev.
Nathaniel H. Smith was called to the pulpit, and continued to preach in
this church till the year of 1868, when he was succeeded by Rev. William
Cummins. He served the church till 1871, when he was succeeded by
Rev. James Lafferty. In 1873, Rev. James M. McClung was called. He
continued to fill the pulpit till September 1875. From that period the
church was without a regular pastor, till October 14, 1876, when Rev.
George Miller having been called, entered upon his duties as pastor.
He served till the fall of 1881, when he was called to the charge of the
Second Presbyterian Church, in St. Joseph, Missouri. In December,
1881, Rev. W. E. Williamson accepted a call to the pulpit of the church.
The present (1882) membership is about two hundred, of whom about
eighty are active members.
The Sunday school superintended by Robert Montgomery, Esq.,
includes about seventy-five or eighty pupils and is in a prosperous con-
dition.
BAPTIST CHURCH.
The second church building erected in the town of Oregon was the
Regular (Hard Shell) Baptist Church. It was a small brick house,
which stood on the north side of the graveyard. It was built in 1858.
Twenty years after, the building being deemed unsafe, the same was
taken down and the material sold to different parties, S. C. Collins
being the principal purchaser. This is the church that was organized
ass early as 1843, two an^ a half miles southeast of the town, and referred
to as the first religious organization in the county. It moved to Oregon
from Mill Creek on the building of the brick church. The Christians
subsequently purchased a half interest in, and, for a long period after,
used this church with the Baptists. The earlier records of the former
church, however, were lost. In 1879, about a year after the Baptists
OREGON AND FOREST CITY. 329
had taken down their building in Oregon, they purchased for the
extremely low price of $350, a good frame building, worth at least
$1,000, and converted it into a church. The circumstance of their
securing so excellent a. bargain was due to the fact that the district in
which the building stands had been consolidated with another in which
there was also a school house, and consequently this building was ren-
dered useless for its original purposes. This church stands in a beauti-
ful grove on the road leading from Oregon to Forest City, about three-
fourths of a mile from the latter town. In December, 1881, the mem-
bership of this church was thirty-one. Elder Pollard was pastor of the
congregation.
CHRISTIAN CHURCH.
The third church organization instituted in the town was that of the
Christians, in an early day. As before stated, they long shared the
brick church erected by the Baptists. The terms on which this arrange-
ment was effected were that the Christians should complete the internal
finish of the church, provide seats, etc. This partnership arrangement
continued till 1878, when, as a matter of safety, it became necessary to
takedown the tottering*building.
In 1877 the Christians erected a neat and substantial brick church
on Washington Street, about one block south of the public square. It is
a plain structure with a graceful spire. The early records of this church
are lost, and the only means of acquiring information of its primitive
days are derived from the imperfect memories of a few of the surviving
pioneers who still reside in the county. The first to preach to the mem-
bers of this church was Elder Duke Young. This was probably as early
as 1849 or l8$°> and perhaps earlier. The first meetings occurred at the
residence of Israel Beeler, about one and a half miles north of the
town of Oregon. Among the other ministers who had charge of the
congregation were Elders Cox, Trapp, Tate, White, Hudgens, Hopkins
and Barrow. Of the re-organized church the ministers in succession
have been Elders W. A. Gardner, P. K. Dibble, Gardner again for two
additional years, and in 1880 the present (1882) minister, W. T. Mau-
pin. It was during the seven years of Elder Gardner's ministry that
the present church edifice on Washington Street was erected. Its mem-
bership is very large and a prosperous Sunday School is taught in the
building.
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
The First Methodist Episcopal Church, of Oregon, is an outgrowth
of the original organization instituted in the year 1841, and organized
by Rev. Edwin Peary within the limits of what is now Forbes Township,
as fully set forth in our report of that locality.
33° HISTORY OF HOLT COUNT! .
The structure of the M. E. Church, in Oregon, stands on Main
Street, on the first corner south of the public square. It is a neat frame
building, 55x35 feet in extent. The original edifice was erected in 1866.
In the course of succeeding years, the superstructure appeared insecure ;
and, in 1879, it was deemed advisable to take down the building, which
was accordingly done. The present neat and well appearing edifice
was erected, in 1879, on the foundation of the old building, and com-
pleted in 188 1. It is the most elegant church in the town as well as
the most spacious. Its cost was about $3,000. We have referred to the
fact that the Rev. E. M. Marvin, afterwards Bishop of the M. E. Church,
was the first minister of the Gospel to preach in Oregon. The church
edifice of this denomination, however, was not the first house of worship
erected in the county ; that distinction belonging to the Hard-Shell
Baptists, as set forth in the chapter entitled " Lewis Township."
Prior to the year 1864 there exists no records of this body. On the
9th of June of that year the church was reorganized in Oregon, by the
Rev. Edward Rozell, with the following members : Benjamin Allen and
wiie, Edgar Allen and wife, Mrs. Elizabeth Bunker, L. D. Barnes and
wife, Jacob Cronk and wife, Dr. J. A. Callan and wife, Rev. Dr. A. J.
Evans and wife. Dr. Evans was the first recording secretary of the
quarterly conference at Oregon. The other members, some of whom,
perhaps, did not join the organization till 1865, included Dr. Reuben King
and wife, A. Hoblitzell and wife, Mrs. Nancy Jackson, for thirty
years a resident of the town of Oregon ; Mrs. Elizabeth Creek, Samuel
Whitmer and wife, John Proud and wife ; Joseph Martin and wife were
members in 1865. Mr. Martin still (1882) lives, at the advanced age of
seventy-five years. His wife died some years since. George W. Lucas,
originally from the State of Iowa, where he was at one time a member
of the House of Representatives and afterwards of the State Senate, was
a prominent member of the church in Oregon, and died at his residence
near that place, January 2, 1882, at the advanced age of seventy-four years.
In the funeral sermon preached on that occasion by the Rev. Samuel
Caruthers, pastor of the church, he referred to the fact that Mr. Lucas
had been an active member of the M. E. Church fifty-one years. Silas
Pierce, one of the original settlers of Holt County, has been a prominent
member of the church since the year 1868. Andrew Gemeker and wife,
who united with the church here in 1869, have also long been regarded
as representative members of the congregation in Oregon. The minis-
ters of the Oregon church since its organization have been : First, Rev.
Edward Rozell, from 1864 to 1866 ; Rev. F. S. B;ggs, 1866-67 J R-ev- Sam-
uel Huffman, now (1882) Probate Judge of Andrew County, pastor from
1867 to 1868 ; Rev. J. L. Hatfield, 1868-69 ; Rev. J. F. Boyle, 1869-70;
Rev. William Hanley, 1870-71 ; Rev. F. H. Graham, 1871-72 ; Rev. S. W.
Thornton, 1872-74 ; Rev. Oscar Williams, 1874-75 ; Rev. W. L. Edmonds,
OREGON AND FOREST CITY. 331
1875-77 ; Rev. S. H. Enyart, 1877-79 ; Rev. Isaac Chivington, 1879-80 ;
Rev. James Showalter, 1880-81 ; Rev. Samuel Caruthers, April, 188 1.
This church has a Sunday school of one hundred and thirty scholars,
superintended by J. W. Hasness, assisted by ten teachers.
THE GERMAN M. E. CHURCH.
The first to preach in Oregon for this church was the Rev. Henry
Hogrefe, a circuit rider. The first services were held in 1847, at the resi-
dence of F. S. Rostock, Sr. They continued regularly for three successive
years to meet at his house for religious services, till about the year 1850,
when the congregation purchased for a church, a school building which
stood on the site of the present brick edifice, opposite the Normal School.
The Rev. Henry Hogrefe w?.s succeeded by Rev. Ellis, and the latter
by Rev. Charles Walters. Rev. Koeniky was the first presiding elder.
In 1859, the present brick church, above mentioned, was erected at a
cost of $3,650. The church was then organized by Rev. H. Muehlen-
brock, with the following members : F. S. Rostock, Sr. and wife, George
Meyer, Daniel Kunkel, Philip Rostock, Ferdinand Simero, Michael
Spoerle, Fred. Mart, Jacob Herman, Herman Schulte, Andrew Gemeker,
Jacob Kuentzle, Jacob Mart, C. Schlotzhauer, Philip Schneider, Philip
Kollmer and Henry Hogrefe. The wives of the above mentioned were
also members of the church and organization.
The following are the ministers who have served this church : Rev.
H. Muehlenbrock, from 1859 to ^62 ; Rev. Henry C. Dryer, from 1862
to 1863; Rev. Peter Hehner, from 1863 to 1864; Rev. Charles Stein-
meyer, from 1864 to 1865 ; Rev. John Philip Miller, from 1865 to 1867;
Rev. H. F. Arnsberger, from 1867 to 1869; Rev. George Schotz, from
1869 to 1872; Rev. Henry Fiegenbaum, from 1872 to 1875; Rev. Wil-
liam Fiegenbaum, from 1875 to 1876; Rev. F. Unland, from 1876 to
1879; Rev. C. Herrmann entered on his pastoral duties in 1879, an^ is
still (1882) minister of the congregation.
THE REORGANIZED CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER DAY SAINTS,
is an important religious body in Holt County. Tarkio Branch was
organized April, 1869, at the residence of Walter Brownlee, its Presid-
ing Elder, on the southeast quarter of section 23, township 59, range 38,
in Forbes Township, just south of the line of Lewis. This organization
as effected by Elder Davis H. Bays, with nine members. On the 20th
jf October, 1874, Tarkio Branch was disorganized, and the members
ormed into Oregon Branch, with about thirty members. Reuben Hoyer
■vas Presiding Elder. The present (1882) membership is twenty-three
<vith Ben H. Fisher, Presiding Elder. They have as yet no public place
)f worship, but hold religious service? in private residences.
332 HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
COLORED BAPTIST CHURCH
was erected in 1867, is a frame building, and contains a large mem-
bership.
SOCIETIES— I. O. O. F.
Pursuant to appointment and warrant of the Right Worthy Grand
Lodge of Missouri, the D. D. G. M. Crane proceeded on the 10th of
May, 1852, to institute in the town of Oregon a subordinate lodge,
under the jurisdiction of said Grand Lodge. After producing his
authority, the D. D. G. M. administered the proper obligation to the
petitioners for charter, delivered to them their warrant and hailed them
by the name of Oregon Lodge, No. 54, I. O. O. F.
The following were the first officers elected: James Foster, N. G.;
William E. Pickett, V. G.; William Zook, Treasurer, and A. E. Morriss,
Secretary. The other charter members were Dr. H. W. Peter and W.
D. Beeler. The first initiated were F. S. Rostock, Sr., and J. S. Grimm.
The institution has prospered abundantly, its membership in 1882
amounting to sixty-five.
Oregon Encampment, No. 43, I. O. O. F., was organized under
charter granted May 21, 1869, and signed Albert Trevor, Grand Patri-
arch, and Robert E. McNeely, G. Scribe. The present (1882) member-
ship of the encampment is forty-five. Their hall is neatly appointed,
and its general appearance creditable to the order.
MASONIC.
Oregon Lodge, No. 139, A. F. and A. M., was organized in a room
in the original court house building, now owned and occupied as a store
by H. Sterritt. This organization was effected August 15, 1853, by vir-
tue of a Dispensation granted by the Grand Lodge of Missouri. The
officers constituted in said Dispensation were : J. W. Moodie, W. M.;
James M. Tuton, S. W., and Galen Crow, J. W. The lodge was set to
work by the Worshipful Master, who appointed the following officers :
William E. Price, Secretary; Samuel B. Cannon, Treasurer; John F.
Jackson, S. D.; C. F. Cayton, J. D., and Jacob Mosier, Steward and
Tyler.
At the second meeting of this lodge, held September 5, 1853, the
petitions for initiation of A. W. Rodgers, F. S. Rostock, E. R. Brown,
James Foster, Elijah Merrill, H. M. Upton, A. C. Bevan, W. P. Birch-
field, and Dr. John Dozier, were read and referred to proper committees.
At a regular meeting held in their hall October 3, 1843, James Fos-
ter, H. M. Upton, F. S. Rostock, Sr., and E. R. Brown were initiated in
due form. This was the first " Work" done in this lodge. They were
all subsequently, in due time, passed and raised. The lodge prospered
OREGON AND FOREST CITY. 333
abundantly, and continued to work under Dispensation, holding their
last session by virtue of that instrument, May 7, 1855.
The first meeting under charter, which designates the organization
as Oregon Lodge, No. 139, and is dated May 31, 1855, occurred in Oregon,
June 16, 1855. The officers mentioned in the charter are : John W.
Moodie, W. M.; James Foster, S. W., and Daniel Zook, J. W. The
other officers mentioned in the report of that meeting are H. Patterson,
Treasurer ; Daniel Zook, Secretary ; G. W. Crow, S. D. ; G. W. Bratton,
J. D., and F. G. Rostock, Steward and Tyler.
The first election under charter, for officers, occurred June 24, 1855,
with the following result: James Foster, W. M.; Levi Zook, S. W.; G.
W. Bratton, J. W. ; Hiram Patterson, Treasurer ; Daniel Zook, Secre-
tary; G. W. Crow, S. D.; Henry Meyer, J. D.; F. S. Rostock, Steward
and Tyler.-
At the annual election held June 24, 1856, the following were chosen:
Daniel Zook, W. M.; G. W. Bratton, S. W.; M. S. Moodie, J. W.; Hiram
Patterson, Treasurer; John Dozier, Secretary; F. S. Rostock, Sr.,
Steward and Tyler.
At the election held June 24, 1857, the following were chose'n :
James Foster, W. M.; G. P. Luckhardt, S. W.; J. M. Patterson, J. W.;
Daniel David, Treasurer, and Daniel Zook, Secretary.
The election of June 24, 1858, resulted as follows: James M. Patter-
son, W. M.; James W. Chadduck, S. W.; W. W. Williams, J. W.; G. B.
Shadduck, Secretary ; Daniel David, Treasurer ; F. S. Rostock, Sr.,
Steward and Tyler.
The election of June 24, 1859, resulted as follows: James Foster, W.
M.; J. W. Chadduck, S. W.; W. H. Williams, J. W.; Galen Crow, Treas-
urer, and G. B. Shadduck, Secretary.
At the election held June 24, i860, James W. Chadduck was chosen
W. M.; W. H. Williams, S, W.; I. L. Reynolds, J. W.; W. B. Wilson,
Treasurer; G. B. Chadduck, Secretary; and F. S. Rostock, Sr., Tyler,
for the ensuing Masonic year.
The election of officers, held June 24, 1861, resulted as follows;
James Foster, W. M.; James S. Hart, S. W.; J. C. Bear, J. W.; P. H.
Buckley, Treasurer; G. B. Chadduck, Secretary, and Geo. A. Rigdon, Tyler.
The election held June 24, 1862, was as follows : James Hart, W. M.;
G. P. Luckhardt, S. W.; F. S. Rostock, J. W.; R. D. Markland, Secretary;
Daniel David, Treasurer.
The officers elected in 1863 were G. P. Luckhardt, W. M.; F. S.
Rostock, S. W.; James Hart, J. W.
At the anniversary meeting held, as usual, June 24, 1864; George
P. Luckhardt was elected W. M.; P. H. Buckly, S. W.; J. S. Hart, J. W.;
L. VanBuskirk, Treasurer ; G. B. Chadduck, Secretary ; F. S. Rostock,
Steward and Tyler.
334 HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
The records of election of this lodge for the years 1865, 1866 and
1867 are lost.
At the annual election, held June 24, 1868, Charles David was elected
and installed W. M.; John C. Vess, S. W.; E. L. Allen, J. W.; Daniel
David, Treasurer ; Daniel Zook, Secretary, and F. S. Rostock, Steward
and Tyler.
The officers elected June 24, 1869, were F. S. Rostock, W. M.; T.
H. Parrish, S. W.; Levi Thompson, J. W. ; J. G. Cotterell, Treasurer ; E.
L. Allen, Secretary, and Isaac Hullinger, Tyler.
Officers elected June 24, 1870: James S. Hart, W. M.; M. M. Smith,
S. W.; S. P. Jewell, J. W.; John G. Cotterell, Treasurer ; T. C. Dungan,i
Secretary ; F. S. Rostock, Sr., Tyler.
The election of June 24, 187 1, was as follows : Edgar L. Allen, W
M.; S. P. Jewe'l, S. W. ; George Anderson, J. W. ; E. VanBuskirk, Treas-
urer ; T. C. Dungan, Secretary ; F. S. Rostock, Tyler.
The next election of officers occurred December 21, 1872, with the
following result : Edgar L. Allen, W. M.; Charles David, S. W.; Levi
Oren, J. W. ; E. VanBuskirk, Treasurer ; S. W. Morrison, Secretary ; F
S. Rostock, Tyler.
At the annual meeting held December 20, 1873, the following offi-
cers were elected for the ensuing year : M. M. Smith, W. M.; E. Van-
Buskirk, S. W. ; R. Montgomery, J. W.; Levi Oren, Treasurer ; John C
Vess, Secretary ; F. S. Rostock, Steward and Tyler.
December 19, 1874, the following officers were elected : M.M.Smith,
W. M.; E. VanBuskirk, S. W.; W. G. Mclntyre, J. W.; John Wallace,
Treasurer ; J. C. Vess, Secretary ; F. S. Rostock, Steward and Tyler.
At the annual election held December 18, 1875, the following officers
were elected : W. G. Mclntyre, W. M.; Robert Montgomery, S. W. ; F.
M. Joslyn, J. W.; John N. Masters, Treasurer, and J. C. Vess, Sec
retary.
The election for officers held December 16, 1876, resulted as follows
Robert Montgomery, W. M.; M. H. Soper, S. W.; Charles Brown, J. W.;
Levi Oren, Treasurer; J. C. Vess, Secretary and John Wallace, Tyler.
At the regular communication held December 15, 1877, the follow-
ing were elected and installed officers of the Lodge for the ensuing year:
Robert Montgomery, W. M.; O. C. Hill, S. W.; A. J. Dooley, J. W.; VV.
C. Noble, Treasurer ; Levi Oren, Secretary, and John Wallace, Tyler.
At the regular annual election held December 21, 1878, the follow
ing were elected and installed officers of the Lodge : E. VanBuskirk,
W. M.; A. J. Dooley, S. W.; Samuel Senior, J. W.; J. B. Curry, Treas
urer ; John Wallace, Secretary ; J. E. Cummins, S. D.; W. O. Noble, J. D.,
and F. S. Rostock, Steward and Tyler.
The election for officers held December 20, 1879, resulted as follows :
Robert Montgomery, W. M.; S. D. Senior, S. W.; J. E. Cummins, J. W.;
OREGON AND FOREST CITY. 335
E. VanBuskirk, Treasurer ; M. H. Soper, Secretary; F. S. Rostock, Stew-
ard and Tyler.
At the regular election held December 18, 1880, the following
officers were chosen : Robert Montgomery, W. M.; E. L. Allen, S. W. ;
J. N. Masters J. W. ; James B. Curry, Treasurer ; J. T. Thatcher, Secre-
tary, and F. S. Rostock, Steward and Tyler. The Worshipful Master
appointed J. E. Cummins S. D. The S. W. appointed S. W. Morrison
J. D., for the ensuing year. These officers were all duly installed.
The annual election, held as usual, in their hall in Oregon, occurred
December 17, 1881, with the following result: T. H. Parrish, W. M.;
Robert Montgomery, S. W.; S. W. Morrison, J. W.; E. VanBuskirk,
Treasurer ; Dr. J. F. Thatcher, Secretary. The W. M. elect, then
appointed the following officers: J. E. Cummins, S. D.; E. D. Senior, J.
D.; E. L. Allen, S. S.; J. F. Howell, J. S., and F. S. Rostock, Sr., Tyler.
The above named officers were then duly installed.
In 1856, the Odd Fellows began, in connection with the Masonic fra-
ternity, to erect the large three-story brick structure which stands on
the northwest corner of Washington and Nodaway Streets, fronting the
former fifty feet, and extending back on the latter one hundred feet,
thus forming the northwest by north outside corner of the court house
square. Finding themselves unable to complete the structure, after
having excavated the cellars and laid the foundations, they sold out to
James Foster, a prominent attorney and capitalist of the town, as well
as an active and influential member of both orders, who proceeded to
complete the building. The Odd Fellows either purchased from him
afterwards, or reserved the right to build the third story for their hall,
which they afterwards did, selecting the corner site.
The Masonic fraternity did likewise with the north half of the third
floor. Thus the entire third floor of the building is owned by these two
bodies. About the close of the war James Foster sold his share of the
building, including the entire two lower stories to Cotterell, Keenes &
Co., who occupied the southwest room as a general store. In the spring
of 1867, Cotterell, Keenes & Co. sold the south half of the building to
Hoblitzell Bros. T. W. Collins became, in 1869, proprietor of the whole
first and second floors. He subsequently sold to other parties. At
i present (1882) Ira Peter, general merchant, occupies the south store
room, which is rented from John T. Hoblitzell, and Daniel Martin, in the
saddle and harness business, owns the adjoining lower floor.
The other Masonic organizations in Oregon, included Keystone
Royal Arch Chapter, No 46, originally chartered in Oregon, was subse-
quently moved to Mound City, in which chapter of this work its history
will be found. Holt County Council, No. 15, R. and S. M., was chartered
July, 1872, withE. L. Allen, T. I. G. M.; R. N. Howell, T. CDungan.
This body surrendered its charter in 1880.
336 HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
Besides the secret and benevolent societies already mentioned,
Oregon, which of ilate years is achieving somewhat of distinction as a
literary center, enjoys the possession of several organizations whose
objects point to that end. Of these the most prominent and important
is the Woman's Union, which celebrated its tenth anniversary on the
6th day of January, 1882. The County Paper of January 13, 1882,
edited by D. P. Dobyns, thus refers to that event : " On the 6th day of
January, 1872, Mrs. S. Q. Goslin, S. A. Goslin, M. M. Soper, Mary Curry,
Annie Batchelor, Ann K. Irvine and Elvira Brodbeck assembled at the
residence of Dr. Goslin, in this city, and organized themselves into a
society having for its object the mental, moral and physical improve
ment of woman.
"'The Woman's Union,' for such was the title selected at its first
meeting, has gradually increased in members, until to-day over one
hundred names are enrolled as members, and the society is well and favor
ably known, not only in Holt County, but throughout Northwest Missouri.
"On Saturday evening last the Union celebrated at the Christian
Church, in this city, the tenth anniversary of its organization. The
programme was opened by a song, Golden Years, after which the
anniversary address was delivered by Mrs. M. M. Soper. Miss Mar)
Koucher recited The First Settler's Story in a most excellent manner
The society's paper was then read by Mrs. Birdsall Fiegenbaum, whose
style of delivery did ample credit to the interesting and ably writter
articles with which its columns were replete. Hannah Jane was ther
recited by Miss Belle Cotterell in her usual happy style. Miss Emm;
Hershberger read a most excellent essay, entitled, Advancement vs
Promotion. Mrs. Foster and Mrs. Dobyns read humorous selections
The Boy Convict was recited by Miss Elma Hershberger in very excel
lent style. Little Carrie and Lema Schulte sang Evelina in a styli
which elicited unbounded applause. Music, both vocal and instru
mental, was afforded between each exercise by Misses Maupin, Hill
Cotton, Bradrick, Goslin and Howell, and Messrs. Hoffman and Kel
logg, and was first-class in every particular."
In her address on this interesting occasion, Mrs. Soper referred, at som
length, and with no insignificant force, to the sentiments that had calle
into existence this society, and, in modest and dignified terms, adverte
to the fact that in the past years of its existence, besides other exercise
of an intellectual character, over six hundred essays had been written b
its members upon almost all subjects of popular interest. The furthe
interesting facts were disclosed, that the society had received and pai
out in that period about $3,000, and still had on hand a lecture fund (
over $100; that the enrollment summed up a total membership of on
hundred and five names — of these, ten had been removed by death, an
others by change of residence to remote lecalities.
OREGON AND FOREST CITY. 337
That a very large share of the literary and scientific tastes for the
encouragement of which Oregon is becoming widely known, is due to
the efforts of these cultivated and enterprising ladies, is a fact univer-
sally conceded, and there is certainly no institution of a moral and
intellectual character within. the limits of Holt County of which the
friends of true progress have greater occasion to be proud than the
Woman's Union, of Oregon.
OTHER LITERARY SOCIETIES.
The other literary societies, past and present, of Oregon, include
the Philomathean, which was organized in 1873, 'n the public school
building. It continued to meet regularly, every Friday evening, for the
period of two years, when it ceased to exist.
The Normal Literary Society, founded in 1876, had a large member-
ship, and prospered abundantly up to the period of its demise, which
occurred in 1881.
The Oregon Literary Society, organized October, 188 1, is still
(1882) in a prosperous condition.
The Mutual Club is a literary organization, instituted in 1877. Its
object is mutual improvement in matters pertaining to literary and phil-
osophical subjects. This very select society, which holds its sessions at
the residences of its members, has a membership of about a dozen.
NORMAL AND PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
We have already referred to the fact that the first school taught in
the town of Oregon was a private enterprise, inaugurated in the winter
of 1843, by John Collins. The people of Oregon have always been known
for their earnest appreciation of the advantages of education, and early
availed themselves of such means and appliances for promoting the cause
as the law provided.
Prior to the year 1857, the town of Oregon included two school dis-
tricts, known as East and West, numbered respectively 14 and 15, each
being provided with a separate building.
In 1857, these two districts were united, and a new brick building
was planned and commenced. The structure was twenty-four by sixty
feety, two stories high, and included four rooms and two halls. This
building was first occupied, in the fall of 1858, by Cyrus Cook, as Princi-
pal, G. W. Bayless and Mrs. C. Cook as assistants.
Professor Cook was retained for two or more terms, after which the
following named were successively employed as Principals : T. W. Col-
lins, Ancel Watrous, Green O. Dersham. During the school year of
1864-65, Colonel Clarke Irvine was Principal, assisted by Mrs. Welta and
Miss Bettie Collins.
22
338 HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
After him, the following, for a number of years, filled in succession
the position of Principal : Noah Huntsman, Rev. — M orrison, Thomas
Miller and J. C. McKnight. During the terms of 1870-71 and 1871-72, H-
Hershberger was Principal, first, with Daniel Schulte, Miss Fannie Scott
and Miss Nannie McDonald, as assistants, £nd during the second school
year with Samuel M. Ruley, Daniel Schulte and Miss Ellen Kennedy, as
assistants. The colored school was taught by Samuel P. Clark.
For the term of 1872-73, W. F. Drake was Principal, with Miss Belle
Sweetman, Miss Fannie Soper, Miss Lucy Christian and Miss Fannie
Cooper, as assistants. The colored school was taught by W. S. Mitchell.
In the spring of 1873 bonds were voted and all arrangements made
for the erection of a building to cost $25,000. The old house was torn
down and the present (1882) structure was erected on its site. The
Public School of Oregon, with its efficient normal department, is an insti-
tution of which her people have just cause to be proud.
The edifice is a spacious and elegant brick structure, modeled on
the latest and most approved plan. A lofty basement extends under
the entire area of the building. This is, in part, occupied by the four
hot-air furnaces by which the twelve rooms contained in the building are
heated. The appliances for promoting ventilation are very complete
and efficient.
Two lofty stories rise above the substructure, and the whole is
crowned with a Mansard roof of elegant design and sufficiently commo-
dious proportions to afford the purpose of a third story. But eight rooms
are as yet occupied, the Mansard, which is not for the present needed,
being unfurnished within. The elegantly designed tower, which rises
above the main front of the edifice, is ninety-six feet in height. From
the belfry in this tower a wide and magnificent prospect of the surround-
ing country is afforded. Highland, White Cloud, Iowa Point, Troy, and
other towns in Kansas, as well as Rulo, Nebraska, are distinctly visible,
while, to the eastward, several Missouri towns are clearly discernible,
about sunset, on a clear day. The cost of this building, inclusive of the
lot on which it stands, was $18,125. The furniture of the rooms, now
occupied, cost one thousand dollars. It is all of the most convenient and
approved style. M. Angelo Powell, of St. Joseph, was the architect.
Professor W. F. Drake was the first Principal in the new building,
for the term of 1873-74, with H. Hershberger, Miss Emma Kimberlay,
Mrs. Rachael Kirkpatrick and Miss Alice Parker assistants.
T. L. Griger taught, during this period, the colored school.
During the term of 1874-75, M. V. Babbitt was Principal, with H. S.
Gardner, Miss E. H. McLung, Miss Alice Parker and W. R. Springer,
assistants. T. L. Griger taught the colored school. Before the expira-
tion of the first half of his term M. V. Babbitt resigned, and was suc-
ceeded by Ctiarles J. Harris, of St. Louis.
OREGON NORMAL SCHOOL BUILDING.
OREGON AND FOREST CITY. 339
During the term of 1875-76, H. Hershberger was Principal, with
Lewis Kirkpatrick chief assistant. Mrs. R. L. Kirkpatrick and Miss Ida
Cheesbro were assistants in the lower grades.
T. L. Griger continued to teach the colored school.
During the term of 1876-77, O. C. Hill was Principal, assisted by
Miss Alice Heath, Mrs. R. L. Kirkpatrick, Miss Fannie Soper, Mrs. S. O.
Hunnicutt, and Mrs. Lucy Koucher. During this term was instituted a
normal department, conducted by Professor O. C. Hill and his assistant,
Miss Heath. Hill continued to exercise supervision over all the other
departments of the school. Miss Lizzie Patterson was teacher of the
colored school during this academic year.
For the term of 1877-78, Professor O. C. Hill was Principal, assisted
by Miss Alice Heath in the normal department, and Miss Julia Gear-
heart, Miss Fannie Soper, Mrs. R. L. Kirkpatrick and Mrs. A. M. Kel-
logg, in the public school. Miss Lizzie Patterson, continued to teach
the colored school.
For the term of 1878-79, O. C. Hill was retained as Principal, with
Miss Alice Heath assistant, in the normal department, and Miss Nettie
Gardner, Miss Fannie Soper, Miss Helen Lehmer and Mrs. A. M. Kel-
logg, assistants in the public school.
The colored school this year was taught by Miss Alice Armstrong.
During 1879-80, O. C. Hill- was Principal, with R. B. Whittaker as
assistant in the normal department, and Miss Nettie Gardner, Mrs. S.
Thomas, Miss Ella Evans and Mrs. A. M. Kellogg, assistants in the
public school departments.
Mrs. L. McKnight taught the colored school.
In term of 1880-81, O. C. Hill was again Principal, with Mrs. S.
Thomas assistant in the normal department, and Miss Nettie Gardner,
Miss Alice Kline, Miss Nannie Nesbit and Mrs. A. M. Kellogg, assist-
ants in the public school departments.
Mrs. L. McKnight taught the colored school.
For the year 1881-82, C. L. Ebaugh was Principal, with Miss Annie
Dysart as assistant in the normal department, Professor Samuel M.
Ruley, Miss Bessie Lehmer, Miss Susie Lukins and Mrs. A. M. Kellogg,
assistants in the public school departments.
Mrs. Kate Fry tauglit the colored school.
The compensation paid to principals has ranged from $75 to $100
per month, and to assistants from $35 to $60 per month.
NEWSPAPER ENTERPRISES.
The first paper printed in Holt County was the Holt County News,
tts first issue appeared July 1, 1857, in the town of Oregon. It was a
even column weekly, published by S. H. B. Cundiff. April 15, 1859,
34° HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
Cundifif sold the paper to Cyrus Cook and A. Watrous. April 29, 1859,
J. W. Biggers became a partner of C. Cook & Co., in the publication of
the paper. July 1, 1859, Cyrus Cook became sole proprietor of the News.
November 11, 1859, tne paper became the property of A. Watrous, Jr.
May 11, i860, Charles W. Bowman purchased an interest in the paper,
which was thenceforth published by Watrous and Bowman. November
24, i860, the paper again changed hands, and A. R. Conklin was
announced as its proprietor. January 8, 1861, he changed the name of
the paper, styling it the Courier and News. February 2, 1861, this much
owned paper again changed hands, Jabez Robinson and J. W. Biggers
becoming proprietors. Its bold advocacy of the doctrine of the right of
secession provoked the wrath of the military authorities, and, a short
time after the last change in ownership and management, Major Peabody
came up from St. Joseph, with several companies of militia, took posses-
sion of the office and moved away the press and type. He was, how-
ever, induced soon after to bring back this material, the type, however,
in a pied condition. The press and other material of the office was
afterwards sold to Sheriff Campbell, of Troy, Kansas, who started there-
with a Republican paper.
The second newspaper started in the county was the Monitor, a
weekly journal published in Forest City by J. R. VanNatta and A. R.
Conklin. It first appeared in September, 1858. Towards the of close' of
the following year the paper came out as the Courier, published by A.
R. Conklin. It was succeeded July 10, 1861, by the Holt County Senti-
nel, published by Daniel Zook & Co., also a weekly journal. Only five
issues appeared when the publication of the paper was suspended.
August 14, 1863, the Sentinel again appeared, after an interval of two
years, coming out with No. 6. It was again published by Daniel Zook
& Co. The Co. was a printer by the name of Bodenhamer. With No.
17, which appeared October 30, 1863, the publication of the paper was
suspended.
The Missouri Expose was started in Forest City, July, 1868, by S.
M. C. Reynolds and D. O. Wasson.
February 27, 1869, the Holt County Journal made its first appear-
ance as the successor of the Expose. This was also a weekly. It was
published by Thomas H. and Robert A. Frame. After the eighteenth
issue the publication suspended.
December 3, 1869, C. W. and G. W. Bowman started, in Forest City,
the Independent. This they continued to publish till October 22, 1870,
when D. P. Ballard assumed control of the paper. He suspended pub-
lication, November 11, 1870, when the press and other material were
moved to Rock Port, Missouri, and a Democratic paper started with the
same. This closed the journalistic enterprises»of Forest City.
OREGON AND FOREST CITY. 34 1
In July, 1865, the Holt County Sentinel made its first appearance in
the town of Oregon, where it continued to be published by C. W. Bow-
man till July, 1869, when Adam Klippel bought the paper. He contin-
ued to edit and publish the Sentinel till October, 1876, when he sold out
to W. W. Davenport, who changed its name, styling it the County Paper.
In the summer of 1881, Davenport sold out to D. P. Dobyns & Co., the
present (1882) proprietors and publishers. It is a handsome seven col-
umn, eight page paper, and the recognized organ of the Republican
party in the county.
% The Missouri Valley Times was started in Oregon, July, 1874, by
Kaucher & Hasness. It was a neatly printed, seven column sheet,
Republican in politics. In 1876, Captain Kaucher sold his interest to
Henry Shutts. The paper then underwent a political change, appearing
as a Democratic sheet, under the name and style of the Holt County
Press. In June, 1877, Mr. Shutts sold his interest to Colonel Clark
Irvine. September, 19, 188 1, Leigh Irvine, Esq., became the owner of
Colonel Irvine's interest in the paper, which was forthwith enlarged to
an eight page, seven column journal. It is neatly and handsomely
printed.
BANKS.
The first bank in the town of Oregon was organized in the fall of
1866, by Levi Zook and James Scott. This, like all its successors in tha
town, was a private bank. It was located in the old court house build-
ing on the northwest corner of Washington and Nodaway Streets, the
house now owned by H. Sterrett. The style of the firm was Zook &
Scott. They continued the partnership three and a half years, when,
Zook retiring, the business was conducted by Scott alone for the period
of-.a year, ending June 29, 1871, when he retired, and the firm of R.
Montgomery & Co. succeeded to the business. This partnership con-
tinued till January, 1, [872. The firm then became Zook & Montgom-
ery and continued three years. January 1, 1875, Levi Zook retired
from the partnership and M. S. Norman associated himself with the
business, which, under the name and style of Montgomery & Norman,
was continued till January, 1877, when, Norman retiring, Captain Albert
Roecker- became a member of the firm, under the present (1882) style
of Montgomery & Roecker.
In 1872, the bank moved from its original location to a room in the
rear of Ira Peter's store, on the opposite corner. This room fronted on
Nodaway Street, below the corner. It continued in this location till
the fall of [877, when the present elegant brick building on Washing-
ton Street, now (1882) occupied by the bank, was completed at a cost of
$3,700.
Through all its changes and modifications this bank has enjoyed
the reputation of a substantial and reliable institution. Both Mr.
342 HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
Montgomery and Captain Roecker are gentlemen, not only of recog-
nized ability as business men, but rank with the enterprising and pub-
lic spirited citizens of the northwest.
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE TOWN.
Prior to the summer of 1876, when James A. Keeves & Co. erected,
at a cost of five thousand dollars, their spacious two story brick business
house, on the corner of Main and Nodaway Streets, there was, with the
exception of the court house, but one brick building in the town, and
that was the antiquated three story block on the northwest by north out-
side corner of Washington and Nodaway Streets, in the third story of
which are located the halls of the Odd Fellows and the Free Masons.
Shortly after the erection of Keeves' building Daniel David erected, on
Washington Street a two story brick business house, twenty-six and a
half by fifty feet, with a one story rear extension of twenty-five feet.
This is now (1882) occupied by the general store of Schulte Brothers.
The sun of August 6, 1877, set upon a row of dingy, rickety, dilapi-
dated, and altogether hideous looking frame buildings on Nodaway
Street, fronting the public'square, presenting a spectacle alike discredit-
able to the enterprise of the citizens "of the town, and offensive to the
gaze of the stranger arriving in the same, and especially striking in its
contrast with the neat and attractive structure of the court house, and
the luxuriant growth of the beautifully-kept park, in the center of which
that then primitive temple of justice reared its graceful proportions. In
the eternal fitness of things, however, it was decreed that this abuse of
the bounty of the Giver of All Good should no longer be tolerated.
The morning of the 7th of August rose upon another scene. The eye-
sore, the blot upon the fair picture of Oregon's wealth of vine, of fruit
tree and of graceful shade was a sheet of devouring flame. In one
short hour naught but the smouldering embers and foundation stones
remained to tell the story of departed hideousness and delapidation.
The people silently acquiesced in the justice of the visitation, only
regretting that they had not long before taken down the old rat-
harbors, which would have afforded fuel and kindling wood for a con-
siderable period of time. They went to work and rebuilt their town
speedily and with a hearty will. No ephemeral frame buildings, with
ginger-bread decorations, however, rose upon the ruins, but neat,
elegant and substantial brick structures, which would be creditable
to a city of many times the population of Oregon, speak, to-day, of a
spirit of enterprise which only slumbered in the old shanties of a bygone
generation, till awakened by the cracking voice of all-devouring fire,
and to-day, doubtless, these prosperous people thank Providence for the
lesson so emphatically taught, as in the enjoyment of their cheerful and
OREGON AND FOREST CITY. 343
elegant places of business, regret that the old tottering buildings had
not been burned down long before the 7th day of August, 1877.
The rebuilding of the destroyed houses prompted others (for enter-
prise begets enterprise) also to build, and by the fall of the fire summer
the handsome row of contiguous buildings were put up by the following
parties, and at the cost annexed to their several names : F. and G.
Seamans, $2,000 ; T. I. Kreek, three buildings, two at a cost of $3,000
each, and one at a cost of $1,250; N. Stock, $2,500 ; Dr. M. Lehmer,
$2,200; William Hawkins, $3,200, and Amos Castle, $1,600. These
buildings constitute a solid block of two-story structures of uniform
height, and generally corresponding external appearance. In the same
season the Christians erected on Nodaway Street, on the corner one
block south of the court house square, a neat brick church, with graceful
spire. Before the close of 1877, the brick banking house of Montgomery
& Roecker, on Nodaway Street, was completed and occupied.
For upwards of fifteen years after its start the town of Oregon was
the most important trading point above the Nodaway. After the
removal of the county seat of Atchison County from Linden to Rock
Port, the latter grew to be a place of considerable business importance,
and cut off a large part of the country trade from Oregon. The growth
of the surrounding country, however, was so rapid that the business of
the town suffered no diminution.
To William Zook we have already referred. Many others who after-
wards became representative men in their several departments of busi-
ness, were originally residents of Oregon. Gen. James Craig, of St.
Joseph, once practiced law there. P. L. McLaughlin, the Tootles, Nave
& McCord, Turner & Frazer, B. B. Frazer, John Ovelman, Hiram Patter-
son and M. S. Norman, have all since been leading wholesale dealers of
St. Joseph. Paris Pfouts, formerly editor of the St. Joseph Gazette, sub-
sequently a wholesale grocer of St. Louis, and ultimately publisher of a
daily paper in Texas, was originally an Oregon man. Among others
may be mentioned Samuel Wood, a leading lawyer of Montana ; J. H.
Utt and Joseph Lehmer, ol White Cloud, Kansas ; Dr. H. W. Peter, now
a leading physician of Louisville, Kentucky ; R. L. Hatten, of Denver ;
C. W. Bowman, of Las Animas, and John Thatcher, of Pueblo, Colorado.
Many of the surrounding towns in Missouri, Kansas and Nebraska, were
founded by men from Oregon, among them Forest City and Mound City,
Missouri and White Cloud, Kansas. Brownville, Nebraska, was named
in honor of Richard Brown, a prominent farmer of Holt County, whose
place adjoined the town site of Oregon.
344 HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
THE PRESENT BUSINESS HOUSES OF OREGON.
Berres, August, furniture dealer.
Chadduck, George, general merchant.
Cook, William, blacksmith.
Castle, Amos, manufacturer and dealer in boots and shoes.
Dobyns, D. P., publisher County Paper.
Edwards & Fry, butchers.
Edwards, L. H., manufacturer of wagons.
Foster Brothers, livery stable, hack line, etc.
Foster & Ely, butchers.
H. Faragher, clocks, watches, jewelry and silverware.
Hasness & Irvine, publishers Holt County Press.
Hershberger & Anderson, dealers in general merchandise.
Hinde, T. S., dealer in drugs, groceries, etc.
Hill, L. H., barber.
Hoblitzell & Co., dealers in lumber and building material.
Hoetter, E. P., restaurant, confectionery and bakery.
Inghram & Baker, manufacturers of kitchen safes, lathe works, etc.
Keeves, J. A., general merchant.
Creek & Watson, general merchants. «
Kyger, N. J., saloon.
Kinsley, Jacob, harness maker and saddler.
King & Proud, druggists, etc.
Lehmer, Dr., drugs, paints, glass and fancy goods.
Martin, Daniel, manufacturer of saddles, harness, and dealer in
wagons, buggies, etc.
Montgomery & Roecker, bankers.
Nies, George, dealer in fancy goods, ladies' dress goods, etc.
Nies, J. H., & Co., tinners, and dealers in stoves, etc.
Peter, Ira, dealer in clothing and general merchandise.
Pilbrick, Clark, barber.
Privet, Clark, blacksmith.
Peret, J. W., barber.
Rostock, F. S. & Son, boot and shoe makers.
Schulte Brothers, dealers in general merchandise.
Stock, Nick, merchant tailor.
Sterrett, W. H., dealer in general merchandise.
Stout & Bartram, confectioners.
Stuckey, Samuel, livery stable.
Shutts, Samuel, blacksmith.
Seaman, Fred., exclusive dealer in boots and shoes.
Whitmer, Samuel, manufacturer of sorghum.
The practicing physicians of Oregon are A. Goslin and J. T. Thatcher.
OREGON AND FOREST CITY. 345
MAYORS.
The city of Oregon was chartered by special act of the Legislature
passed November 5, 1857.
On March 24, 1870, the same was amended so as to extend its juris-
diction over subsequent additions.
The elections for Mayor have always occurred on the first Tuesday
in April of each year.
Daniel David, 1857. James S. Hart, 1868.
B. B. Frazer, 1859. G. M. Edson, 1869.
Peter Price, i860. . R. D. Markland, 1870.
Daniel David, 1861. Samuel Stucky, 1871.
Daniel David, 1862. Samuel Stucky, 1872.
No civil government from 1863 to Samuel Stucky, 1873.
1864. Samuel Stucky, 1874.
William Hawkins, 1864. Henry Shutts, 1875.
James S. Hart, 1865. Samuel Stucky, 1877.
S. C. Collins, 1866. Samuel Stucky, 1878.
A. Walters, 1867. He failed to qual- M. H. Soper. 1879.
ify and Wm. Smith was elected
in his place in May following.
J. Limbird was elected in April, 1880, and served till January,
1881, when he resigned to fill his position in the state legislature,
Clark O. Proud then filled the position till the period of the election in
April, 1881, when James E. Cummins was chosen mayor. At the same
election the following were also chosen : Henry Cook, Marshal, and A.
W. King, Assessor. The following members of the city council were
also at that time elected : J. H. Nies, Dr. J. T. Thatcher, James Watson,
W. R. Springer, Ira Peter, J. B. Hoblitzell, Samuel Whitmer, Samuel
Hershberger, and Daniel Martin.
CONCLUDING REMARKS.
In respect of one peculiarity, there is perhaps no town in the Union
resembling Oregon, and that is in the matter of fruit grown within its
limits. Not only the immediate suburbs, but the town itself is a vast and
continuous orchard of the finest varieties of apples, peaches and other
pomological products. It is estimated, without any exaggeration, that
there are growing within the limits of the town not less than ten thou-
sand fruit trees, to say nothing of the wine producing vineyards that
abound in many of the enclosures of the town. Of those adjoining the
town site on the west side, is the orchard of T. I. Kreek, containing 900
apple, 300 pear, and 500 peach trees, and also about 500 grape vines.
On the northwest corner is the extensive orchard of George P. Luck-
346 HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
hardt, described in the chapter on " Nurseries," of which he has the
most extensive in the county. On the southwest. Ab Zook has between
800 and 900 trees. On the southeast side, C. Hoblitzell has an apple
orchard of 1,100 apple trees, besides peach, pear and other fruit trees.
Stephen Blanchard, on the east side, has an apple orchard of about six
hundred trees. Stephen C. Collins has about two hundred and twenty
of different varieties.
POSTMASTERS.
Oregon, Holt County, Missouri, established January 17, 1843. The
following is a list of the postmasters appointed at this post office from
1843 to 1881, inclusive, together with the date of their appointment :
John C. Norman, January 17, 1843. John P. Halbach, January 2, 1861.
William Zook, January 13, 1845. Howard T. Combs, May 11, 1861.
George W.Kelly, December 9, 1845. W. H. Sterrett, March 15, 1862.
John Dozier, February 7, 1848. William Hawkins, February 24, 1865.
Galen 'Crow, March 19, 185 1. Benjamin F. Potter, April 25, 1866.
Henry W. Peter, December 5/1853. Samuel P. Jewell, March 16, 1869.
W. H.Williams, December 23, 1856. Mrs. Kate G. Holtz, March 10, 1871.
James J. Ruley, January 20, 1857. Edgar L. Allen, November 14, 1881.
Burkitt J. Bowen, February 20, i860.
FOREST CITY,
an important commercial town of the county, and, as late as the sum-
mer of 1868, a well-known shipping point on the Missouri River, was
laid out by a company composed of Tootles & Fairleigh, of St. Joseph,
Missouri, Zook & Patterson, and Nave & Turner ; the two latter firms
from Oregon, Missouri.
The land on which this town was laid out, a tract of 520 acres, was
purchased by the company of the original proprietor, Joel Baldwin, for
about ten thousand dollars. It is in Lewis Township, twenty-eight miles
north by west of St. Joseph, on the main line of the Kansas City, St.
Joseph and Council Bluffs Railroad, on sections 29, 30, 31 and 32, town-
ship 60, range 38, and occupies a surface 877 feet above the sea level.
The first sale of lots occurred May 15, 1857, and the place, forthwith,
began to be settled and improved rapidly. The first store building in
the place was put up by Tootles, Fairleigh & Co. It is a large two-story
frame building, on the northwest corner of Commercial and Holt Streets,
fronting on the latter, and now (1882) occupied by Joseph Groves, dealer
in general merchandise. It was built in the summer of 1857. In the
same year, Nave, Turner & Co. put up the store building now occupied
by J. M. Ford & Smith. Others followed in rapid succession, and the
town was soon built up. The first brick building in the town, a two-
OREGON AND FOREST CITY. 347
story business house, was commenced in 1857, and completed in the fol-
lowing year, by Zook & Baldwin, and occupied by them as a drug store,
the first established in the place. The senior member of this firm,
Daniel Zook, Esq., is a prominent lawyer of the county, and now a resi-
dent of Oregon. The building is now, and has been, since 1872, occupied
by the drug store of John France & Co.
The first postmaster in the town was Daniel Zook, appointed in
1857. He was succeeded by Alvin Conklin, who, in i860, was succeeded
by George Weber. The fourth in succession was Hon. H. K. S. Robin-
son. He became postmaster on the resignation of George Weber, in
1877. Miss Mary M. Canon was appointed to succeed the former in
188 1, at which time Messrs. Weber and Robinson accepted positions in
the Frazer & McDonald Bank.
The first blacksmith established in Forest City, was John W. Moody,
formerly of Independence, Missouri. He removed from Oregon, Mis-
souri, to Forest City, where he opened his shop in the summer of 1857.
SCHOOLS.
The first school taught in Forest City, was during the winter of
1857-58, in a small frame building. The first teacher of this- school was
James Walden, from Kentucky. He was succeeded, in 1858, by Miss
Mary Hart. This was a private enterprise. About ten years after, a
brick public school building was erected on the summit of the abrupt
hill-range, which divides the business from the residence portion of the
town. This was a house fifty by twenty feet in area, with a hall through
the center. M. Howley did the brick work, and G. W. Hitt, one of the
pioneer carpenters of the town, the wood work. The cost of the build-
ing was about two thousand dollars. The first who taught in this school
was Rev. Prof. Thornton, assisted by Miss Mary Canon. The building
was destroyed by fire in the winter of 1874-75. The location of this
house was not a little remarkable, and about the only claim to be ad-
vanced in favor of the site was the fact that, in the summer season, when
schools were not generally in session, it was, from its extraordinary
elevation (about one hundred and fifty feet above the level of Commer-
cial Street) an airy situation, and one that commanded an extensive
prospect of the surrounding country. The ascent from the level of the
town to the summit of the elevation on which this house was perched, is
exceedingly abrupt and, in some conditions of weather, must have been
impossible from more than one way of approach.
The present (1882) graded school of Forest City was commenced in
July, 1875, and completed in October of the same year. It is a two-
story brick building, containing four rooms, two of which are on the
first, and the others on the second floor. The architects of the building
348 HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
were Stigers & Bcettner, and the contractor R. K. Allen, all of St.
Joseph. The building stands on Grand Avenue, in the eastern part of
the town. Its cost was about $5,000. The first session of the public
school in this building opened in November, 1875, Prof. Samuel Ruley,
Principal, assisted by Miss H. Lehmer. The school opened in the fall
of 1876, with the same teachers. In the fall of 1877 Lee Helsley became
Principal, assisted by Miss Helen Lehmer and Mrs. E. F. Welch.
The session of 1878 opened with Rev. John Anderson as Principal,
assisted by Miss Jose Wilkinson. In the fall of 1879 the school opened
with Rev. John Anderson as Principal, assisted by Miss Julia Gearhart
and Miss Jose Wilkinson.
In the fall of 1880 the teachers were Rev. John Anderson, Principal,
and Miss Helen Lehmer and Miss Jose Wilkinson, assistants. These
were succeeded, in the fall of 1881, by Prof. M. Murphy, Principal,
assisted by Miss Kate Howley and Miss Gertrude Whobrey. The pub-
lic schools are in session here eight months in the year.
The colored school is taught in a frame building at the north end of
Commercial Street. This first opened January 4, 1878, with William
Barnes as teacher. He also taught the session which opened Septem-
ber, 1878. October, 1879, tne school opened in charge of Miss Lizzie
Patterson. September, 1880, Mrs. A. N. B. Sprague had charge of the
school.
THE FIRST HOTEL
in Forest City was kept in a two story frame house near the northern
extremity of Commercial Street. It was built by the town company in
1859, and was opened by G. W. Glasgow, who continued to keep it
about one year, at the end of which period he was succeeded by L. B.
Green, who purchased the property of the town company. The build-
ing is now (1882) owned by Mrs. Blackleach. The town company sub-
sequently erected the two story brick building on the northeast corner
of Commercial and Holt Streets. This has always, since its completion,
been kept as a hotel, and often changed hands. It is now (1882) kept
by B. B. Foster & Co., who own the building.
EARLY BUSINESS.
As early as 1857 Nave, Turner & Co. started a grocery jobbing
house in the store room now occupied by J. M. Ford and Smith, on Com-
mercial Street. This they continued till about 1859. In those days
whisky was abundant, cheap and readily attainable anywhere, and it was
not till 1858 that James Simpson opened the first saloon in Forest City.
Whisky in those days sold at from eighteen to twenty-five cents per
gallon, and it is claimed by the early settlers of the county that there
OREGON AND FOREST CITY. 349
was then in the country, generally, less drunkenness, in proportion to its
population, than there is at_ present.
Forest City, from the period of its foundation, till the summer of
1868, when the Missouri River suddenly turned westward and left the
town two and a half miles inland, was a place of no inconsiderable im-
portance as a shipping point, and it early became the port from which a
vast amount of produce of all kinds was shipped by water. The great
staple in those days was hemp, and as many as thirteen steamboats have
been tied up at one time, at the wharf, awaiting freight. By the caving
of the river banks, before that uncertain stream left the town, a consid-
erable portion of Forest City, amounting, probably, to one-third its origi-
nal area, which was spread over the bottom, had disappeared. In the
summer of 1868 the last boat landed at Forest City, and was moored to
the rails of the Kansas City, St. Joseph and Council Bluffs Railroad track,
which, on the loth day of August of that year, had been completed from
St. Joseph to that point. This was the Carrie P. Kuntz. On this boat
W. and J. W. Zook made their last shipment, by water, of a lot of corn
from this point. This shipment amounted to three thousand and seven
sacks of corn. By the following day the Missouri was flowing two and a
half miles west of the town, and naught remained but the sluggish sedi-
ments of the forsaken river bed, through which the Little Tarkio now
flows, to tell of the late bustle and animation of thronging boats, which
were to visit her extinguished port no more.
In its palmiest days the mercantile business of Forest City amounted
to not less than $300,000 a year, to say nothing of the vast shipping
interests of the place. The original heavy dealers of the town were
Turner, Frazer & Co. and Tootle, Fairleigh & Co. In 1865, the heavy
firms doing business there were Frazer & Brittain and W. & J. W. Zook.
Of the original settlers of the place, but few are now numbered with its
population. These include Dr. H. M. Wilson, the first physician to locate
in the town. He came in 1857, as did also George Weber, the banker.
Of those who came in the following year, are J. M. Ford, the merchant,
M. T. Collins, carpenter, William Burgess, G. W. Hitt, the undertaker
and builder. W. H. Williams came in the succeeding year.
In 1839, William Burgess, in partnership with Thomas Cunningham,
started near the north end of the town a pottery, which they continued
to operate for some time, but finally abandoned for more directly remun-
erative pursuits. Among the early established business men of the town
still in the place is O. Graves, of the present firm of Graves & Weber,
and in 1865, a member of the firm of Graves & Faucett.
One of the early enterprises yet extant, of the town, is the
350 HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
FOREST CITY BREWERY.
This was first started in a small frame building, put up for the purpose
in 1859 by a man by the name of C. Krauss. In the beginning of the
following year Krauss & Engel erected the brick structure on stone
foundation which now constitutes the brewery building. These parties
pursued the business here four or five years. Capt. Albert Roecker, a
prominent citizen of the county, and at present engaged in the banking
business in Oregon, was at one time identified with the interests of this
brewery. Jacob Schweinfurth purchased it of William Zook, of St.
Joseph, into whose hands it had subsequently fallen, and in January,
1881, commenced the manufacture of beer, which he has since success-
fully pursued. The original cost of the building was about $15,000. It
was sold to Jacob Schweinfurth for $2,500.
Forest City was incorporated by special act of the Legislature,
passed March 12, 1861. The first Mayor elected under this charter was
George Weber.
The present 1882 officials of the town are S. M. Glass, elected Mayor
April, 1881 ; H. H. Brady, Marshal and Collector ; Joseph Fergusom
Assessor ; W. R. Smith, Treasurer ; and George Poindexter, Register.
The members of the Council are Dr. H. M. Wilson, Vine Hovey, J.
M. Ford, John Puncheon, William Burgess, William Ferry, A. Weber,
Joseph Groves and John France,
CHURCHES.
The first church built in Forest City was erected by the Methodist
Episcopal Church South. It is a brick structure on Grand Avenue,
thirty-four by fifty-one feet. It was built in i860, chiefly by means of
the material aid and through the exertions of Hiram Patterson and L.
Zook, then selling goods in the town. These gentlemen contributed
$500 toward the enterprise. Joshua T. Sedwick was also a liberal con-
tributor, and superintended the erection of the building, which cost
about $4,000.
In 1866, the M. E. Church South, sold this building to the Mission-
ary Baptists, who still (1882) continue to own the building.
The first to preach the gospel in Forest City was the Rev. Benjamin
Baxter, of the M. E. Church South, and an active organizer of the same
in the town. This was several years before the erection of their house
of worship. The records of this church are incomplete and unsatisfac-
tory, and it is impossible to provide anything like a complete history of
the organization. In 1869, less than three years after the sale of their
church to the Baptists, the M. E. Church South erected another building.
This was a gothic frame, on Walnut Street. H. Patterson, of St. Joseph,
OREGON AND FOREST CITY. 351
and J. T. Sedvvick, now of Craig, in Holt County, were especially active
in the building of the church, and succeeded in raising in a few days,
the necessary funds (about $2,200) for its erection. Among the other
organizers of this church were Hiram Wiggins, L. B. Green, H. Patter:
son, and their wives. The present (1882) membership of this church is
fifty-two. The Rev. C. D. Davis is pastor of the congregation. Joseph
Groves, a prominent merchant of the town, is the popular superintend-
ent of a large Sunday School attached to this church.
The Missionary Baptist Church was organized March 31, 1866, with
twenty-four members, among whom were C. J. Hart, G. W. Hitt, John
S. Pugh, Mrs. Elizabeth Turner, Mrs. Alice Archer, William A. Joy,
Henry C. Oflfutt, Miss Lizzie Offutt, H. E. Offutt, Mrs. Emma J. Hitt,
Charles E. Joy, Isaac D. Brown, Miss Susan F. Hanks, Miss Virginia
Offutt, Miss M. F. Riley, Mrs. M. J. Williams, Mrs. Jemima Pugh,
Mrs. Mary J. Hart and Mrs. Turner.
The first minister of this church was the Rev. G. W. Huntley. He
was succeeded April, 1870, by Rev. R. M. Rhodes. In 1874, Rev. E. S.
Irely was pastor. Rev. S. J. Cook succeeded to the ministry of this
church in 1877, and served till 1879, since which time the church has
been without a pastor.
The Christians began in 1875 the erection of a frame church near
the eastern extremity of Grand Avenue. It was not entirely com-
pleted till the winter of 1881-82. Its cost was about $1,500. Elder T.
J. Williamson is pastor. The third ecclesiastical edifice built in Forest
City was the Roman Catholic Church, near the northern extremity of
Commercial Street. Its erection was superintended by the Rev. Father
Welch, of St. Joseph, in 1869. It is a frame building, completed at a
cost of $1,500. The dedication sermon was preached to a large con-
gregation by the Right Rev. Bishop Hogan, of St. Joseph. Rev. Father
Baker is (1882) present minister.
The 015 School Presbyterians have an organization in Forest City.
They are without a church edifice of their own, but occupy the M. E.
Church, South.
FOREST CITY LODGE, NO. 214, A., F. AND A. M.
was organized U. D. from the Grand Lodge of the State of Missouri,
and set to work by the D. D. G. Master, July 8, i860. The officers con-
stituted under this dispensation were Milton S. Moodie, W. M.; Levi
Zook, S. W., and Hiram Patterson, J. W. The following subordinate
officers were then appointed and installed : Daniel Zook, Secretary ; H.
L. Williams, Treasurer: E. V. Upton, S. D.; E. W. Rynehart, J. D.;
Hiram Wiggins, Steward and Tyler. The lodge continued to work
under this dispensation until June 17, 1861, when they assembled for
352 HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
the first time by virtue of a charter granted by the Grand Lodge of the
state and dated May 30, 1861.
On the 24th of June, 1861, occurred their first election of officers,
with the following result: M. S. Moodie, W. M.; Levi Zook, S. W.; H.
Patterson, J. W.; Lewis Leach, Secretary ; H. L. Williams, Treasurer;
William Proffitt, Tyler, and R. L. Hatten, Chaplain.
At a subsequent meeting held July 6, 1861, the Senior and Junior
wardens resigned, and J. M. Frazer was elected to succeed the former
and Richard Leach the latter officer.
On the occasion of the second election of officers, which occurred
December 27, 1862, the following were chosen for the ensuing Masonic
year and were duly installed : H. Patterson, W. M.; E. V. Upton, S. W.;
T. H. Hatten, J. W.; R. E. Turner, Secretary; H. L. Williams, Treas-
urer, and PL Wiggins, Tyler.
The annual election of officers held at their hall in Forest City,
December 28, 1863, resulted as follows: J. M. Frazer, W. M.; Lewis
Leach, S. W.; J. M. Ford, J. W.; R. E. Turner, Secretary ; H. L. Williams,
Treasurer ; and Hiram Wiggins, Tyler.
The election of December 27, 1864, was held with the following
results : Hiram Patterson, W. M.; J. T. Sedwick, S. W.; J. M. Ford, J.
W.; J. S. Brittain, Secretary; H. L. Williams, Treasurer; Hiram Wiggins,
Steward and Tyler.
The election of December 27, 1865, resulted as follows : H. Patter-
son, W. M.; J. T. Sedwick, S. W.; J. M. Ford, J. W.; H. L. Williams,
Treasurer; Albert Roecker, Secretary, and Hiram Wiggins, Tyler.
The election of December 27, 1865, was as follows : J. T. Sedwick,
W. M.; J. M. Ford, S. W.; C. W. Harris, J. W.; H. L. Williams, Treasurer ;
H. R. Johnson, Secretary, and Hiram Wiggins, Tyler.
The annual election of December 27, 1867, was held with the follow-
ing results : W. H. Williams, W. M.; C. W. Harris, S. W.; J. W. Zook,
J. W.; R.J. Poindexter, Treasurer ; Hiram Patterson, Secretary, and C.
R. Conklin, Tyler.
The annual election day, the 27th of December, occurring on Sun-
day, the regular election for officers for the ensuing Masonic year, was
held on the day previous, the 26th of December, 1868, and resulted as]
follows: Jacob M. Ford, W. M.; John H. Hill, S. W.; John Dyche, J.
W.; Orville Graves, Treasurer ; Albert Gooch, Secretary, and Hiram
Wiggins, Tyler.
The election of December 27, 1869, resulted as follows : H. Pat-
terson, W. M.; W. H. Williams, S. W.; John Dyche, J. W.; J. W. Zook,
Treasurer ; James A. Gooch, Secretary, and M. D. Brown, Tyler.
At the regular anniversary communication held December 27, 1870,
the following officers were elected and installed : W. H. Williams, W.
M.; W. B. Orr, S. W.; W. S. Canon, J. W. J. M. Ford, Treasurer, and
OREGON AND FOREST CITY. 353
James A. Gooch, Secretary. The following were appointed : R. M.
Rhodes, Chaplain ; H. M. Wilson, S. D.; Thomas Teare, J. D., and
Richard Hartwell, Tyler.
The election of December 27, 1871, occurred with the following
results ; Hiram Patterson, W. M.; H. M. Wilson, S. W.: George B.
Chadduck, J. W.; J. M. Ford, Treasurer, and L. R. Ely, Secretary. The
following were then appointed : R. M. Rhodes, Chaplain ; John R.
Dyche, S. D.; R. P. Zook, J. D., and M. V. B. Cass, Tyler,
December 27, 1872, the following were elected and installed : W.
H. Williams, W. M.; G. W. McKinney, S. W.; R. P. Zook, J. W,; J. M.
Ford, Treasurer ; L. R. Ely, Secretary, and M. V. B. Cass, Tyler.
The election of December 27, 1873, occurred with the following
results : H. W. Wilson, W. M.; John R. Dyche, S. W.; M. V. B. Cass, J.
W.; J. M. Ford, Treasurer ; L. R. Ely, Secretary. The appointed offi-
cers were : O. C. Plummer, S. D.; M. D. Brown, J. D.; W. S. Canon and
J. P. Adams, Stewards ; H. Wiggins, Tyler.
The 27th occurring on Sunday the anniversary communication was
held on December 26, 1874, when the following officers were elected and
installed: Joshua T. Sedwick, W. M.; John R. Dyche, S. W.; John Hill,
J. W. ; Joseph P. Adams, Secretary ; Robert P. Zook, Treasurer ; Hiram
Wiggins, Tyler.
At the annual election of December 27, 1875, the following officers
were elected and installed by Past Master Sedwick : W. B. Orr, W. M.;
0. C. Plummer, S. W.; Hiram Wiggins, J. W.; R. N. Howell, Treasurer ;
J. M. Canon, Secretary ; Thomas Teare was appointed Tyler.
The election of December 27, 1876, resulted as follows : R. P. Zook,
W. M.; H. M. Wilson, S. W.; Orville Graves, J. W.; J. M. Ford, Treas-
urer ; W. R. Smith, Secretary ; Thomas Teare, Tyler.
December 27, 1877, the following officers were elected : M. V. B-
Cass, W. M.; G. M. Williams, S. W.; R. Hartwell, J. W.; W. S. Canon,
Secretary, J. M. Ford, Treasurer.
The following officers were elected December 16, 1878, and were
installed December 27, 1878 : J. M. Ford, W. M.; W. H. Wilson, S. W.;
M. V. B. Cass, J. W. ; O. Graves, Treasurer; W. S. Canon, Secretary.
Thomas Teare was appointed and installed Tyler.
December 15, 1879, the following were elected, and on the 27th of
the same month were duly installed : H. M. Wilson, W. M.; R. P. Zook,
S. W.; D. S. Alkire, J. W.; O. Graves, Treasurer; J. M. Ford, Secretary;
M. V. B. Cass and F. Linsel, Deacons, and Thomas Teare, Tyler.
At the regular election held December 20, 1880, the following were
chosen, and on the 27th of the same month were duly installed : H. M.
Wilson, W. M. ; George Weber, S. W. ; W. R. Smith, J. W. ; Orville Graves,
Treasurer ; J. M. Ford, Secretary ; J. H. Wilson, S. D.; J. P. Adams, J.
D., and M. V. B. Cass, Tyler.
23
354 HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
The annual election held December 19, 1881, resulted as follows :
H. M. Wilson, W. M.; R. P. Zook, S. W.; Thomas Teare, J. W.; Orville
Graves, Treasurer; J M. Ford, Secretary. With the above were also
installed on the 27th of the same month, M. V. B. Cass, Tyler ; D. S.
Alkire and W. R. Smith, Deacons.
The Lodge, at the period of its organization, convened in a hall
occupying the second floor of the building on the northwest corner of
Commercial and Holt Streets, now owned and occupied by Joseph Groves.
About 1862, the institution was moved to the second floor of the brick
building now occupied by the store of Graves & Weber, on Commercial
Street, near the corner of Grand Avenue.
The present (1882) lodge room is 60x24 feet, including ante rooms,
and occupies the third floor of R. P. Zook & Co.'s large brick building,
on Grand Avenue, opposite Commercial Street. This building, with its
rear extension, one story, forty feet, was erected in 1879.
The first yard in which pine lumber was sold in Forest City, was
opened by Robinson & Platter, in 1865.
BANKS.
The Frazer & McDonald Bank was started as a private bank, in 1873,
by B. B. Frazer and Dr. D. McDonald. It was chartered July 30, 1878,
under the laws of the State, with a capital of $30,000. This, in April,
1881, was reduced to $20,000. At that period, Dr. McDonald the cashier,
and W. F. McDonald, the teller, resigned, and were succeeded by George
Weber, the present (1882) cashier, and Hon. H. K. S. Robinson, telle
The bank building is a small two-story brick structure, on Grand Avenu
erected and furnished in 1874, at a cost of over $1,800. It is provided
with a fire-proof vault and burglar-proof safe. The bank is regarded as
a solid institution.
Forest City has had in her day, several
NEWSPAPERS.
Of these, the first was the Monitor, a weekly journal, started iw 1858, by
J. R. Van Natta & Alvin R. Conklin. Some time after its start, in the
latter part of 1859, the name of this paper was changed, and it continued
to be published as the Courier. This paper appeared regularly till about
the period of the breaking out of the civil war. There were, at different
successive periods, some six or seven similar enterprises started in Forest
City. Special reference to these will be found under the head of the
Newspaper Press of Holt County.
Forest City was also the seat of the three first fairs held in the
county. Reference to these will also be found under the general head
of County Fairs.
OREGON AND FOREST CITY. 355
Forest City rejoices in the possession of two grist
MILLS AND MANUFACTORIES.
The first, a two run mill, is located on block 88, in the north part of
the town. It was built in 1867, by George and Gabriel Mauck, and is now
(1882) owned by J. W. Zook, of St. Joseph. For a year previous to Jan-
uary, 1882, this mill was idle. It was then put in operation by Capt. W.
S. Canon.
East Forest Mills, built by Lewis M. Kaull & Co. in 1868, and com-
pleted in 1869, are located at the southern extremity of the town. Of
the present company Captain William Kaucher, a scientific and practical
millwright is secretary and manager, and J. P. Adams, miller. The
present company have owned the mill since 1874. About two-thirds of
the stock is owned by J. H. C. Curtis, Clerk of the County Court of Holt
County, and J. P. Adams, the miller. The balance is divided among
numerous other parties. The capacity of the mill is one hundred and
twenty barrels every twenty-four hours. This capacity is based on the
average run. This is a new process mill and, besides the ordinary
appliances proper to such institutions, is provided with eighty-one linear
feet of bolting reels and a George T. Smith purifier. The cleaning
machinery consists of separator, smutter and brush machine, besides two
sets of magnets, to intercept any metallic substance that might chance
to be in the grain. The capacity of the elevator and sheller is from 500
to 700 bushels per hour. The storage capacity of the mill and elevator
is ten thousand bushels of grain.
J. A. Richardson's saw mill is in the immediate neighborhood of the
East Forest Mills. It was established in 1869. The firm was Richard-
son & Plummer.
J. Demuth started a foundry in the town in 1865. He continued to
operate it there till January, 1882, when he moved the works to St.
Joseph. M. V. B. Cass, for many years a well known and popular
blacksmith of Forest City, started his foundry in the place on the
removal to St. Joseph of J. Demuth.
France & Co., representative druggists of the town, started in 1878
a rendering tank in the town. They run out about three car loads or
200 barrels of grease every year.
In January, 1882, the firm of O. C. Plummer & Co. started in the
business of manufacturing dimension walnut lumber and veneering.
The firm includes O. C. Plummer, Vine Hovey, and Blair Harrison.
THE PRESENT BUSINESS
of Forest City is as follows, beginning at the northern extremity of
Commercial Street:
356 HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
The flouring mill of Zook & Canon, revived January, 1882, with
Captain W. S. Canon, manager and miller.
Wagon and blacksmith shop of G. W. Nuflf, 188 1.
Hotel of B. B. Foster & Co., October, 1881 ; this building corners,
on Holt Street.
General store of Joseph Groves opposite, established in 1872.
Mrs. Chadwick, millinery, 1881.
W. H. Williams & Co., stoves and tinware, 1858.
Furniture store of John Puncheon, in which is the post office, kept
by Miss Mary M. Canon, 1881.
General store of Ford & Smith, 1878. This was the stand of the
firm of Brittain & Ford, started in 1869.
E. C. Wells & Son, general store, 1881.
Giles Norton, barber, 1878.
John Jackson, boot and shoemaker, 1879.
George W. Baldwin, grocery and confectionery, 1880.
J. Limp, butcher.
Minton Bros., general stock, 1881.
D. Beeler, saloon, 1881.
William Burgess, saloon, 1858.
Graves & Weber, general store, 1875.
Sandford Lympus, confectionery, 1878.
W. H. Willis, inventor and patent right man, 1865.
On Grand Avenue : R. P. Zook & Co., general store, 1877. The
original firm was W. & J. W. Zook, established in i860.
The Frazer & McDonald Bank. *
Office of the lumber yard of George Poindexter & Co., 1880.
M. V. B. Cass, blacksmith, wagon shop, and foundry, 1869.
Dr. M. D. Brown, dentist, watchmaker, etc., 1863.
G. W. Hitt, carpenter, builder and undertaker, ,1858.
Thompson Collins, carpenter, 1858.
Fred Schaffer, shoemaker, 188 1.
James Hayley, blacksmith, 1880.
L. A. Hill, butcher shop, 1881.
Brewery revived by Jacob Schweinfurth in 1881.
On C Street : Zook & Terry's livery stable.
Office of S. T. Lucas, grain dealer.
Mrs. Trissal's Hotel.
Kane, Miller & Glass, live stock dealers.
Zook & Terry, wood yard.
The dates annexed indicate the origin of the present firms, many
of the members of which are old representative merchants of the
town.
OREGON AND FOREST CITY. 357
The professional men are Dr. H. M. Wilson and Dr. E. B. Bullock,
physicians ; Dr. M. D. Brown, dentist, and D. S. Alkire, attorney-at-
law. Of the
ORIGINAL SETTLERS
of Forest City, few now (1882) continue to reside there. They include
Captain W. S. Canon, manager of Zook & Canon's mill ; Dr. H. M. Wil-
son, the pioneer physician of the place; George Weber, the banker, and
George Turnham. These were all in the town when it first started, in
1857. William Burgess, G. W. Hitt and Thomas Collins were there in
1858. W. H. Williams came in 1859, and J. M. Ford in i860. R. P.
Zook is among the earliest settlers. Dr. H. M. Wilson, the pioneer phy-
sician of the town, is also an active promoter of the fruit interests of the
neighborhood. Near his residence, in the north part of the town, he
has an orchard of two hundred apple trees, one hundred and fifty bearing
pear trees, large peach and cherry orchards, besides currants, goose-
berries and small fruits without end. He has also sixty-five stands of
bees.
Forest City is no less noted for the longevity of its people. Among
the most remarkable instances of this character was Mrs. Elizabeth Pope,
a native of Lincoln County, Kentucky. At the period of her death,
which occurred October 7, 1878, at the residence of her grandson, A. B.
Brady, in the country, she was one hundred and four years old. For
the twenty years previous to her death, she had made her home in Forest
City, with Dr. Wilson, whose wife was her grand daughter, and to the
last seemed to be in almost full possession of her faculties. Squire J. D.
Perkins, another pioneer of Holt County, and a native of Virginia, died
at his home in Forest City, in 1880, at the advanced age of eighty-six
years.
INDIAN BURIAL GROUND.
On the summit of the abrupt elevation of about one hundred and
fifty feet, which divides the town of Forest City, were recently found,
but a short distance below the surface, numerous human bones, and in
some instances complete skeletons, supposed to be the remains of
Indians, whose bodies were buried there at a period long anterior to the
arrival of the whites in the country. Some of these relics are in the pos-
session of Dr. H. M. -Wilson.
SHIPPING INTERESTS.
Forest City, in the days of its early and vigorous prosperity, was, as
before intimated, a noted shipping point by steamboat on the Missouri
River, which left it shortly after the completion of the Kansas City, St.
358 HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
Joseph and Council Bluffs Railroad to that town. Though its shipments
by rail amount, in the course of the year to no trifling figure, they are
inconsiderable compared with the amount of produce hauled by wagon,
every year, through its streets, northward, southward and westward. In
the matter of apples alone, of which Holt County has an immense acre-
age, as many as one hundred and sixty wagon loads have crossed the
White Cloud Ferry to Kansas, in a single day. In the fall of 1880 John
Lyons, the ferryman at this point, took in over four thousand dollars for
crossing apple wagons alone. The landing place on the Missouri side
of the White Cloud Ferry is a considerable distance above Forest City ;
nothing but the old bed of the river through which the Tarkio now
flows separating the town site from Rush Island, or, as it was formerly
called Solomon's Island, a body of land including between three thousand
and four thousand acres of inexhaustibly fertile soil.
-^s^s*^^
P^
^BIOGRAPHICA Li*
CAPTAIN EDGAR L. ALLEN
was born in Howard, Steuben County, New York, April 23, 1834. His
parents, Benjamin and Annie (Rogers) Allen, were both natives of the
same state. Edgar was reared to manhood at his native village, receiv-
ing fair educational advantages. Upon arriving at maturity he com-
menced teaching and taught for several terms. He immigrated west-
ward, in 1854, settling near Oshkosh, Wisconsin, where he was engaged
in teaching and farming. In May, 1858, he came to Holt County, Mis-
souri, and followed his profession until August, 1862, when he enlisted in
Company F, Thirty-third Missouri Infantry, and served until 1865. He
was mustered in as sergeant and was afterwards promoted to captain.
He took part in the Red River campaign, under Gen. Banks, and in the
battles of Helena, Arkansas, Nashville, Tennessee, Tupelo, Mississippi,
and many others. His company went to the field with one hundred men,
and there were but thirty-two present when mustered out. At the close
of the war Captain Allen again settled in Holt County and resumed
farming. In 1866 he was elected Circuit Clerk and Recorder of Holt
County and served until the close of 1874, when he moved on a farm near
town. In the spring of 1881 he moved into town and accepted the posi-
tion of Deputy Clerk and Recorder. In December, 1881, he received the
OREGON AND FOREST CITY. 359
appointment as Postmaster at Oregon, and took charge of the office Jan-
uary i, 1882. Being an old settler he is widely and favorably known,
and in the discharge of his official duties exercises scrupulous care and
fidelity. Politically he is a staunch Republican, and has voted for every
president since that party was organized. He is an active member of
Oregon Lodge, No. 139, A. F. and A. M., and has filled every position
within the gift of the lodge, holding the office of steward at present. He
is also a member of Keystone Chapter, No. 46, of Mound City, and was
formerly a charter member of Holt Council. He owns a fine farm ot 280
acres in the northern part of the county. Captain Allen was married
January 1, i860, to Miss Eliza Risk, daughter of Cornelius and Mary
Risk, formerly of this county. She was born in this county in October,
iS4i,and was here reared. Himself and wife are active members of the
M. E. Church of Oregon, in which he holds the office of steward and
trustee. They have a family of seven children : George H., twenty years
of age ; Floyd, now thirteen ; Emma, eleven years old ; Lilly, nine years
old ; Edna, seven years old ; Ella, aged four years ; Eddie, two years of
age.
JUDGE GEORGE ANDERSON,
stock raiser and dealer in general merchandise, is prominent among the
enterprising citizens of Holt County. His parents, David Anderson
and Rachel nee Dixon, were both natives of Pennsylvania, and in 1831
moved to Crawford County, Ohio, when it was a wilderness, and settled
in the heavy timber. George was born in the town of DeKalb, Crawford
County, Ohio, June 10, 1838, and was the seventh child in a family of
twelve children. He spent his boyhood days on the farm, and received
fair educational advantages, completing his schooling at the DeKalb
Seminary. When sixteen years old, he accompanied his parents to
Shelby, Richland County, Ohio, and when nineteen years of age he com-
menced dealing in stock, following the business for some three years.
He then turned his attention to agricultural pursuits. He came to Holt
County, Missouri, in March, 1863, and purchased a farm some three miles
east of Oregon, but returned to Ohio and engaged in the mercantile bus-
iness at Gallia. In June, 1865, he again came west, and settled on a
farm on the outskirts of Oregon. In the fall of 1865, he engaged in the
hardware business with G. W. Cummins, forming the firm of Anderson
& Cummins, under which name the business was conducted for about
two years. His health failing, Mr. Anderson retired and improved a
farm south of town, where Mr. Hoblitzell now resides. He disposed of
this property in January, 1874, and settled on another farm near Forest
City, which he also improved. In 1877 he returned to Oregon, and in
1879 ne erected his present residence, which is one of the finest in the
city. He owns 65 acres of land adjoining the town, where he lives,
360 HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
besides two fine farms in this county, one of 320 acres in Hickory Town-
ship, and 400 acres in section 25, township 62, range 38, all under culti-
vation, and well stocked. Two good orchards are on the home farm.
During his residence in the county Mr. A. has put out six orchards, and
has done much towards building up the county. February 1st, 1879, he
purchased an interest in a general merchandise store, with a Mr. Hersh-
burger, and they continued the business until the 15th of January, 1882,
when Mr. H. retired, and the firm became George Anderson & Co. They
carry one of the heaviest stocks in the county. On the 29th of May,
1869, he became a member of the Holt County Agricultural and Mechan-
ical Society, and served five years. He became President of the society,
September 21, 1872, filling this position two years. In 1872, he was
elected County Judge, on the Republican ticket, and served six years.
He has also served some eight years on the school board, and helped to
erect the school house. He has been an active member of Oregon
Lodge, No. 139, A. F. and A. M., since 1867. He has made three trips
to the home of his childhood, taking his family with him twice. Judge
Anderson was married February 26, 1861, in the village of DeKalb,
Ohio, to Miss Rebecca Cummins, an accomplished lady, daughter of
George and Caroline Cummins, who were early pioneers of Ohio. She
was born August 6, 1835, in DeKalb, and was the sixth in a family of
eight children. She was educated at the DeKalb Seminary. They have
had two children : Carrie R., born February 2, 1862, and David C, born
May 26, 1867. Miss Carrie is a graduate of the Oregon Northwest Nor-
mal School. She also took a course of painting lessons at Linwood Col-
lege, St. Charles, Missouri. She shows a wonderful talent for the art,
and has some beautiful specimens of her work. The Judge and his
family are members of the Presbyterian Church, at Oregon.
GEORGE W. BALDWIN,
dealer in staple and fancy groceries and confections, is a leading business
man of Forest City. His father, Joel Baldwin, born in 18 10, in Rich-
mond, Indiana, was one of the pioneers of Holt County. He came here
in 1850, and located at this place. He once owned the town site, but
sold it to the town company, having had it all in one farm. He held an
interest in a drug store and also in a fine farm south of town. He died
June 5, 1874. His wife, whose maiden name was Nancy M. Vinsonhaler,
was born in Ross County, Ohio, October 9, 1819. She married Mr.
Baldwin in 1841, and they moved to Nodaway County, Missouri, the same
year, with her father, Jacob Vinsonhaler. George W. Baldwin was born
April 14, 185 1, in Forest City. He was reared to manhood in the then
small village, and received his education in the common schools. In
1876 he opened a confectionery and restaurant establishment at Forest
OREGON AND FOREST CITY. 36 1
City, which he conducted one year, but his health failing, he sold out
and retired from business until April, 1880, when he purchased a stock of
staple and fancy groceries. He again commenced business, and now has
his store well filled with a complete stock, and has secured a large patron-
age. Having grown up to manhood in this vicinity, Mr. B. is well
known. He has filled the position of City Register for several years, in
an acceptable manner. He is an active member of the Presbyterian
Church of Forest City. His father was raised as a Friend, and carried
through life those sterling principles of honesty and integrity taught
him in childhood. He was a man honored and respected by all who
were favored with his acquaintance, and his residence was a rendezvous
for the young people to gather, they always being certain of having a
pleasant time at Uncle Joel's.
WILLIAM BANKS,
farmer and stock raiser, section 4. Among the earliest pioneers of Holt
County may be mentioned the subject ofthis sketch. His parents, Thomas
and Catharine Banks, were both natives of the Isle of Man. William
was born at that place on the 21st of October, 181 1. He was reared on
a farm and received a common school education. When seventeen
years old he went to Liverpool, England, and bound himself out for
three years' service on the high seas, for the sum of £7 per year, he to
furnish his own clothing. He made a voyage to Mobile, Alabana, thence
to St. Andrews, thence to Jamaica and the West Indies, and back to
Liverpool. While there he ran away from his captain and went aboard
another vessel bound for Baltimore, and thence to New Orleans. He
then commenced steamboating, which he continued for ten years. He
made three trips up to the headquarters of the American Fur Company,
at Fort Union, and has had two. narrow escapes from being blown up on
steamboats ; at one time, when an explosion took place, some forty
persons died from the effects of the steam. In the fall of 1841 Mr. B.
started from St. Louis with a stock of general merchandise, landing on
the Missouri side of the river opposite Iowa Point, on the 9th of August.
Having sold the goods, he started a ferry and woodyard, and also
improved a farm. He moved to the farm he now occupies in 1855, and
has been engaged in agricultural pursuits since. He owns some 1,280
acres of land in Holt County, though he commenced life at the bottom
of the ladder. He is of a jovial disposition and hospitable in his manners-
AUGUST BERRES,
undertaker and dealer in furniture, was born in Bavaria, Germany, on
the 13th of February, 1833. His parents, Frank and Elizabeth Berres,
were both natives of Germany. August remained at his birthplace until
362 HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
nineteen years of age, and while there learned the furniture trade. He
crossed the ocean in May, 1852, and landed at New York City, where
he stayed for about eighteen months, working at his trade. He then
went to Chicago, and one year later moved to Fort Wayne, Indiana,
working there and at Huntington, Indiana, for some time. In August,
1866, he came west and settled in Oregon, and opened a furniture and
undertaking establishment, where he has since been engaged in business,
his being the oldest established business house in town. Mr. B. is well
known in St. Joseph, Chicago, St. Louis and New York City, and other
places, and is a reliable, hard working man. He was formerly a member
of the I. O. O. F. Mr. Berres was married while in Indiana, on the 6th
of July, 1862, to Miss Elizabeth Hurst, daughter of John and Ursula
Hurst, of Baden, Germany. She was born in that place December 22,
1832, and came to this country when thirteen years old. They have been
blessed with six children, four of whom are now living : Frederick, born
September 25, 1856; Mary, born December 26, 1863; Emma, born
December n, 1866, and Josephine, born September 5, 1871.
ANDREW BURRIER,
farmer and stock raiser, section 28, was born in Harrison County, Ohio,
on the 13th of September, 1812. His parents, Philip and Mary Bur-
ner, were both natives of Maryland, and Andrew accompanied them to
Jefferson County, Ohio, when quite small. He was reared on a farm,
early assisted in clearing land, and has given his attention to agricultu-
ral pursuits through life. Upon reaching his majority, he moved to
Tuscarawas County, Ohio, where he remained some eight years. He
then came to Holt County and settled near Oregon, which, at that time
was a small place, containing only six or eight houses. The county
was thinly settled and roving bands of Indians frequently passed
through. Since that date the subject of this sketch has been actively
engaged in tilling the soil. He owns 320 acres adjoining the city of
Oregon on the northeast. His farm is well improved and he has a
handsome residence upon it, also an orchard. Mr. Burner was married
to Miss Sarah Ridenour, in 1838. She was born December 17, 1820, in
Harrison County, Ohio. They have five children living : Daniel, born
April 8, 1847 ; Margaret, born May 13, 1849, (now the wife of James
Bumps, of St. Joseph); Eliza J., born September 2, 1853, (now Mrs. E.
Roulette, of Holt County); Hughey, born April 30, 1856; Andrew,
born October 13, i860. Seven are deceased. Mrs. Burrier is a member
of the Lutheran Church.
CAPTAIN WILLIAM S. CANON,
of the firm of Zook & Canon, proprietors of the Forest City Mill, was
born in Leesville. Ohio, October 24, 1833. His father, Samuel R. Canon,
OREGON AND FOREST CITY. 363
was a native of Pennsylvania, and his mother, formerly Rachael Singery,
was from Maryland. Until he was at the age of fifteen, William lived at
his native village. He received a good common school education, and
also attended one term at College. He accompanied his parents to
Oregon, Holt County, Missouri, in October, 1852, his father purchasing
a farm some six miles east of Oregon. He filled the position of County
Judge some twelve years. On the 1st of January, 1853, young Canon
commenced clerking in Oregon. In October, 1853, he went to what is
now known as Council Bluffs, with Tootle & Jackson. Their store was
burned in December, 1853, and he then returned to Oregon, and remained
with Zook & Peter until April, 1854, when he crossed the plains with
Crow & McCrosy, who drove a herd of cattle to California. Mr. Canon
again came to Oregon in June, 1856, and began clerking for Zook &
Patterson. In 1857 he came to Forest City with them, they keeping one
of the first business houses in town. In 1859 the subject of this sketch,
in company with William Zook, purchased the hardware and tinware
store at this point. This they carried on until December 25, 1861, when
he enlisted in Company B, Fourth Missouri State Militia, cavalry. He
recruited this company and was elected captain. They went to St.
Joseph, then to Kansas City, and from there to Neosho, where they
joined the army of the frontier, and later served through Southern Mis-
souri and Arkansas. His father died on the 20th of December, 1863, and
William Canon resigned and came home to settle up his father's estate.
He then engaged in dealing in horses and mules, and in 1865 he bought
the Forest City saw mill, which he operated until 1866. In 1865 he also
commenced contracting and building railroads. He followed this busi-
ness until 1876, when he embarked in the grain business. In 1877 he
made a trip to. the Black Hills, but after remaining there a short time, he
returned and resumed the grain and stock business. In June, 1879, ne
went to Mound City and opened the grain business at that point, but the
short crop in 1881 making the business dull, he discontinued his transac-
tions there for a short time. In January, 1882, he took charge of the
Forest City Mills. Mr. Canon has eight acres of land and a neat resi-
dence, situated on a hill between Forest City and Oregon, from which he
has a view of both places. Also of Iowa Point, White Cloud, Kansas and
Rulo, Nebraska — five towns and three States. He was the first member
admitted into the Forest City Lodge, No. 214, A. F. and A. M. He also
belongs to the A. O. U. W. He has been a member of the City Council
and of the School Board several terms. Mr. C. was married in October,
1857, to Miss Julia A. McCrary, a native of Missouri. She died in July.
1877. He has four children, Credelia, born August 13, 1859, (now Mrs.
L. H. Luckhardt); Kitty K., born March 22, 1861 ; Charlie R., born
August 28, 1863, and Nellie M., born April 3, 1866. He is an active
member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, of Forest City.
364 HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
AMOS J. CASTLE,
dealer in boots and shoes and gents' furnishing goods, was born in Wash-
ington County, Maryland, July 27, 1838. His parents, John and Eliza
Castle, were both natives of Maryland. Amos was reared to manhood
at his birthplace, receiving a common school education. He commenced
to learn the shoemakers trade in 1854, at Boonsboro, in his native
county, and in 1858 he immigrated to Indiana, where he remained some
six months, being at Hagerstown, Wayne County, during that time. In
the fall of 1858 he came to Oregon and worked at his trade here until
June, 1861, when he enlisted in Company F, Thirteenth Missouri Infan-
try, and took part in the battle of Lexington, Missouri. He, with his
regiment, were taken prisoners and paroled. He returned to Oregon,
and in February, 1862, re-enlisted in Company F, Fourth Missouri
Cavalry. They were discharged in September of that year on account
of being paroled. Mr. C. held the position of orderly sergeant while in
the cavalry. He once more settled in Oregon and resumed work at his
trade. He occupies a room which is filled with a well assorted stock of
boots. He is an active member of Oregon Lodge, No. 54, I. O. O. F., in
which he has filled all of the offices within the gift of the lodge. Mr.
Castle was married February 28, 1865, to Miss Rebecca Jackson, daughter
of John F. Jackson, of Holt County. She was born in Uniontown, Penn-
sylvania, February 27, 1848. He and his wife are active members of the
Presbyterian Church, of Oregon. They have had six children : Otho,
born October 30, 1866 ; Charles, born August 26, 1869 ; Edward, born
August I, 1871 ; Clarence, born May 26, 1873 ; Ellen, born November
11, 1875, and Jessie, born August 19, 1881.
THOMAS COTTIER,
farmer and stock raiser, section 9, is among the early pioneers of North-
western Missouri. His parents John and Catharine Cottier, were both
natives of the Isle of Man. Thomas was born on that island on the 3d
of February, 1829. He remained at his birthplace until eighteen years
of age, spending his boyhood days on the farm, and receiving fair educa-
tional advantages. He crossed the ocean in February, 1847, and after a
voyage of nine weeks, landed at New Orleans, going from there by
steamboat to St. Louis, and thence to Western Missouri. From that
place he came by team to Holt County. Soon after he engaged in team-
ing in Oregon, and also for the government on the plains during the
Mexican War. His mother came here in 1849, and is still a resident of
this county. She is now eighty-eight years of age, but is still active and
in possession of all her faculties. On the 7th of February, 1850, Mr. C.
married Miss Minerva Beeler, a daughter of one of the early settlers of
OREGON AND FOREST CITY. 365
this county. She was a native of Indiana, and came to Missouri with her
mother's family in 1844. They settled in the bottom, but the high water
in the spring of 1844, compelled them to move. This they did by put-
ting their household goods on a raft and wading to the bluffs, some two
miles distant, pushing the raft before them. Mr. Cottier and his wife
subsequently located on the farm where he now resides. He had pre-
empted it in the fall of 1847, and since then he has given his attention
to farming. At that time he owned a yoke of oxen and one horse. The
cattle were used to break the ground and the horse to tread the corn.
During the war he served in the Enrolled Missouri Militia, assisting in
defending the property of the citizens. He has filled the district offices
several terms, but is no office seeker. Mr. C. owns upwards of a 1,000
acres of fine land in Holt County, and some 200 in Nebraska. The home
farm contains 270 acres, is well improved, has a good residence and an
excellent orchard, twelve acres in extent, of 600 bearing trees, two peach
orchards, and a large amount of small fruit. His farm is one of the finest
in the county. He also has an excellent stock farm in Liberty Town-
ship. He and his wife are active members of the Christian Church.
They have had eight children, seven of whom are living: Hannah J.,
born September 10, 1852, (now Mrs. J. G. Elliot, of Mound City); John
T., born January 24, 1854; James C, born December 13, 1855 ', Lizzie,
born September 13, 1857, (now Mrs. James Ward, of Minnesota Valley,
Holt County); Mary S., born August 13, 1859, (now Mrs. John A. Hall, of
Minnesota Valley); Emma, born March 20, 1862, and Robert, born
August 21, 1864.
GEORGE W. CUMMINS,
of the firm of Anderson & Co., dealers in general merchandise, was born
in Crawford County, Ohio, March 29, 1844. His father, George Cum-
.mins, was born in Pennsylvania, of Scottish parentage. His wife, form-
erly Caroline Hoblitzell, was of German descent and a native of Mary-
land. George was reared to manhood at his birthplace and received fair
educational advantages, attending for some time the DeKalb Seminary.
When thirteen years old he commenced clerking in a general merchandise
store, in which he remained until he was seventeen. In September,
1861, he enlisted in Company H, Sixty-fourth Ohio, in what was known
as Sherman's Brigade. They served with the Army of the Cumberland,
receiving their bloody baptism at Shiloh. They then took part in the
battles of Murfreesboro, Prairieville, Chickamauga, and through the entire
Atlanta campaign. Coming back under Thomas they took part in the
battles of Nashville and Franklin, and were mustered out at Nashville,
Tennessee. The subject of this sketch was twice wounded, once at Mur-
freesboro' and once at Chickamauga. At the close of the war he came
west, and, in May, 1865, settled in Oregon. In the fall of that year he
366 HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
engaged in the hardware business, with Mr. Anderson, under the firm
name of Anderson & Cummins. They continued for some two years in
the business, and Mr. C. then purchased the stock and operated it one
year on his own account. Purchasing an interest in a dry-goods line,
he remained in this about one year. He settled on a farm, near Oregon,
in February, 1872, and, after about six years, he moved back to town, in
1878, and in 1879 he became associated with Anderson & Co. He filled
the position of Secretary of the Holt County Agricultural and Mechani-
cal Society for about four years. In his manners he is much of a gentle-
man and an excellent salesman. He still retains his fine farm, near Ore-
gon. Mr. Cummins was married, in 1867, to Miss Eliza Cahill, a daughter
of R. W. Cahill, of DeKalb, Crawford County, Ohio, where she was also
born, in October, 1846. They have two children : Guy, born May 23,
1869; Gertrude, born July 2, 1870. Mrs. Cummins is a member of the
Presbyterian Church of Oregon.
JOHN S. CURZON,
farmer and stock raiser, section 10, is the son of Charles and Sarah
(Hindley) Curzon, who were natives of England. They crossed the
ocean and settled in York State about 1840. John S. was born on the
13th of February, 1848, in Onedia County, New York. He spent his
boyhood days on the farm at his birth place and received the benefits of
a common school education. In 1865 he came west and settled where
he now resides. He farms the Carpenter farm, which contains 582
acres. He is quite largely interested in stock raising, is an energetic,
enterprising citizen, and, being among the early settlers, is widely and
favorably known. Politically he is a Republican. Mr. C. was married
April 10, 1879, to Miss Cinda Adams, daughter of W. H. Adams, of this
county. She is a native of Sibley County, Minnesota, and was born on
the 29th of April, 1858. They have one child living, Johnnie W., born
the 17th of September, 1881 ; lost one, Elgie, who died July 31, 1881.
Mr. C.'s mother resides with him. She is now seventy-five years of age
and is still enjoying good health. Curzon Station was named in honor
of the subject of this sketch.
J. H. C. CURTIS,
clerk of Holt County, was among the early settlers of this county. His
parents, Jacob and Harriet Curtis, were both natives of Virginia. John
was born January 1st, 1830, in Berkley County, West Virginia. He was
reared to manhood at his birth-place, spending his boyhood days on the
farm, and receiving his education in the neighborhood schools. In 1853,
he moved to Butler County, Ohio, and in 1858 he settled in Knox
OREGON AND FOREST CITY. 367
County, Illinois, where he remained for some two years. Then he came
to Missouri, locating in Holt County. He commenced to learn the mill-
wright's trade while in Ohio, and has followed that occupation through
life. He has been engaged in building, repairing or operating almost
every mill in this section of country, or Northwest Missouri, Southern
Iowa, and the eastern parts of Kansas and Nebraska, and has contrib-
uted largely toward the growth and improvement of the county. In the
fall of 1874, he was elected clerk of Holt County, and has since contin-
ued to fill the position with credit to himself and all parties interested.
He is at present interested in the Forest City Flouring Mills. During the
war he served in the Enrolled Missouri Militia. He is an active member
of Oregon Lodge, No. 175, A. F. and A. M., also of Oregon Lodge, No.
54, I. O. O. F. Mr. Curtis has been twice married ; first, in May, 1857,
to Magaret Alleybaugh, who died in December, 1872. He was married
again in March, 1874, to Charlotte Henry, a native of Ohio, and a daugh-
ter of Cyrus and Maria Henry, of that state.
SAMUEL DICKSON
was born in August, 1830, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. His parents,
Stuart and Agnes Dickson, were born in the northern part of Ireland,
and were of Scotch-Irish descent. Samuel was reared to manhood in
Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, and received the benefits of a common
school education ; also learning the blacksmiths trade in his youth. In
1854 he moved to Champaign County, Illinois, where he commenced
work on the Illinois Central Railroad. At the breaking out of the war he
was among the first to offer his services. In June, 1861, he enlisted in the
Twenty-fifth Illinois Volunteer Infantry as a private, and was mustered
out in September, 1864, holding the position of first-lieutenant. He
served in many of the hardest fought battles of the rebellion, among
which were Pea Ridge, Perryville, Stone River, and others. He was
wounded at the battle of Stone River, and was placed on detached duty.
At the close of the war Mr. Dickson returned to Champaign County,
Illinois, where he remained until 1858, when he came to Forest City.
He has since been engaged in railroading, has held different positions on
the road, being at present section foreman. He was married on the
14th of April, 1870, to Mary E. Long, a native of Kentucky. They have
had four children, two of whom are living ; Agnes, born January 19,
i87i,and Nevilla, born August 16, 1875. Mrs. Dickson is a member of
the Baptist Church. Mr. D., religiously, was raised a Presbyterian.
DAVID P. DOBYNS,
of the firm of Dobyns & Co., editors and proprietors of the County
Paper, was born in St. Louis, Missouri, January 25, 1845. His parents,
368 HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
James R. and Mary Dobyns, were natives of Kentucky. David was
reared to manhood at his birthplace. Having several uncles engaged in
the printing business, he concluded to learn that art, and consequently
commenced setting type when but twelve years of age, devoting his
spare moments to it when not in school. This occupation he has fol-
lowed principally through life. He was among the first to respond to
President Lincoln's call for troops, during the war, and although only
sixteen years of age he enlisted, in April, 1861, in Company H, First
Missouri Infantry, under Col. Frank P. Blair. He assisted in taking
Camp Jackson, and also took part in the St. Louis Walnut Street riot.
From there he went to Boonville, thence to Wilson's Creek, where he
was severely wounded in the foot, and with his company he marched
one hundred and fifteen miles, walking most of the way. He was then
discharged on account of disability. Mr. D. afterwards re-enlisted in
Company H, Fortieth Missouri Infantry, and was assigned to duty as
keeper of Gratiot Street Military Prison at St. Louis. He held this
position for several months, and then again joined his regiment at Nash-
ville, Tennessee, taking part in that battle, and also those of Franklin,
Mobile and Fort Blakeley, besides many others. He was mustered out
at St. Louis in August, 1865. Mr. Dobyns subsequently turned his atten-
tion to the newspaper business. He published the Macon Argus and
Macon Republican for several years, and during the winters of 1867-8 he
was one of the enrolling clerks for the Missouri Legislature in the House.
He fiiled the position of county clerk and auditor of Macon County,
Missouri, from 1869 until 1872, and was also police judge for two years
He was then called to take charge of the books of the St, Joseph Herald,
and after remaining some time with the Herald Company he came to
Oregon, in company with W. W. Davenport, who purchased the Holt
County Sentinel, in 1876. In January, 1880, the name of the paper was
changed to The County Paper. In June, 1881, Mr. Davenport sold his
interest to D. P. Dobyns and W. F. Waller, moving to Jacksonville,
Illinois, in October of the same year. In December, 1881, Mr. Waller
sold his interest back to Mr. Davenport, and the company is now known
under the firm name of D. P. Dobyns & Co. Mr. Dobyns publishes a
spicy sheet, interesting and full of news, and has a large circulation. He
is an active member of Oregon Lodge, No. 54. I- O. O. F., and has held
the position of Dietrict Deputy Grand Master and Grand Representa-
tive. He is also a member of Cour de Leon, No. 11, Knights of Pythias,
of Hannibal, Missouri. He was married April 20, 1870, to Miss Emma
Greer, daughter of W. A. Greer, of Macon, Missouri. She was born in
Monroe County, Missouri, on the 11th of March, 1850. They have had
four children : Lulu B., born December 11, 1872 ; Edwin B., born July
4, 1874 ; Leigh B., born November 30, 1878, and James F., born Decern
ber 1, 1880. Mr. D. and wife are each members of the Christian Church
OREGON AND FOREST CITY. 369
HON. THOMAS C. DUNGAN,
attorney and counselor at law, was born in Belmont County, Ohio, April
3, 1840. His father, B. Ellis Dungan, was a native of Pennsylvania,
while his wife, formerly Miss Sarah S. Fox, was born in Philadelphia.
The former was naval constructor in the United States ship yards for
several years. Thomas was reared to manhood at his birth place, spend-
ing his boyhood days on the farm, and receiving excellent educational
advantages. He completed his education at the Vermillion Institute, in
Ohio. Arriving at maturity, he became engaged in teaching and reading
law, and taught for some two years. In May, 1864, he enlisted in Com-
pany E, One Hundred and Seventieth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and
served with the Sixth Army Corps in the Shenandoah Valley, taking
part in the battle of Winchester and other minor engagements. He
held the position of sergeant, and was mustered out at Camp Chase,
Ohio, in September, 1864. At the close of the war, Mr. D. resumed the
study of law, under Hon. W. S. Kennon, of St. Clairsville, Ohio, and was
admitted to the bar in September, 1866. In the November following he
emigrated westward and settled in Oregon, where he commenced the
practice of his profession. Since that time he has been a prominent
member of the Holt County bar. In June, 1868, he was appointed city
attorney, and in April, 1873, at the special election, he was elected circuit
attorney for the Twenty-ninth Judicial district, embracing four counties.
In the fall of 1873, he was elected prosecuting attorney, and filled this
position for two years. In the fall of 1880, he was elected State Senator
from the First Senatorial district, embracing the four counties of Holt,
Atchison, Nodaway and Andrew, and served his constituents in a very
creditable manner. Mr. D. stands among the leading attorneys of
Northwest Missouri. He has filled the position of notary public some
ten years. He owns two fine farms east of Oregon, and a large one of
680 acres near Forbes. He has dealt largely in real estate, and made the
first set of Abstract books in the county. Politically, he is a staunch
Republican, having been brought up to the principles of that party. He
has been a self-made man, and during life has given his attention entirely
to his own business. He is an active member of Oregon Lodge, No.
139, A. F. and A. M., also of Oregon Council No. 15. Mr. Dungan was
married May 13, 1879, to Miss Fanny I. Soper, daughter of Hannibal and
Wolvina Soper, of Holt County. She was born in Ohio. They have
one child, Estella Francis, born February 25, 1880.
HARRY FARAGHER;
jeweler and watchmaker, was born in Toronto, Canada, September 29,
i860. His father, Thomas Faragher, was born on the Isle of Man and
his wife was a native of Ireland. Harry was reared and educated at
370 HISTORY OF HOi/l' COUNTY.
Toronto and graduated from the public schools of that city. His father
was a jeweler and watchmaker, and the son commenced to learn that
trade, with his father, when about thirteen years of age. He worked
there until May, 1880, when he started out on his own account. After
visiting Chicago, and spending some three months there in sight-seeing,
etc., he immigrated westward and located in Oregon, where he started a
jewelry store. He now carries a large and complete stock, one of the
best in the county, and, having been raised to the business, understands
it thoroughly. He is a member of the Good Templar order in Toronto,
and belongs to the Presbyterian Church of Oregon.
DR. GEO. A. FIEGENBAUM, A. M.,
of the firm of Goslin & Fiegenbaum, physicians and surgeons, was born
in Galena, Illinois, January 1, 1855. His father, Henry H. Fiegenbaum,
was a native of Prussia, Germany, and his mother, whose maiden name
was Clara C. Kastenbutt, was from Hanover, Germany. The former
was an itinerant minister in the German M. E. Church, and conse-
quently made various moves. He went with his family to Wapello,
Iowa, in i860, then to Pekin, Illinois, in 1864, thence to Quincy, Illinois,
in 1867, and in 1870 to St. Joseph, Missouri. George now started out
on his own account by first engaging himself as clerk in a mercantile
establishment. In the fall of 1873 he moved to Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, and
took a classical course at the Iowa Wesleyan University and a theolog-
ical course at the German Wesleyan College, attending the two col-
leges together. After five years study he was graduated in June, 1878,
with the degree of A. B. In 1877 he commenced the study of medi-
cine under Dr. Ray Beattie, and in the tall of 1878 he attended his first
course of lectures at the St. Joseph Hospital Medical College. By the
removal of Dr. Beattie to South America Mr. F. was obliged to choose
another preceptor, which he found in the person of Dr. T. H. Doyle, of
St. Joseph. He graduated in the spring of 1880, and that same year
the Wesleyan University conferred upon him the degree of A. M. In
July, 1880, he came to Oregon and formed a partnership with Dr. Gos-
lin. In the spring of 1882 he received the appointment of physician of
Holt County. Dr. F. is a member of the Medical Society of Northwest
Missouri. He was married in October, 1880, to Miss Anna B. Brodick,
daughter of the Rev. I. A. Brodick, of Mt. Pleasant, Iowa. She was
born in Burlington, Iowa, on the 16th of August, 1856. She is an active
member of the Woman's Union of Oregon.
PATRICK FITZMAURICE,
farmer and stock raiser, section 13, a large land owner of Holt County,
was born on the Island of Mayo, in March, 1822. His parents, Thomas
OREGON AND FOREST CITY. 371
and Catharine (Hunt) Fitzmaurice, were both natives of the same island.
Patrick was the second child in a family of eight children. He was
reared at his birth place, and in the fall of 1844, he crossed the ocean in
the ship Pantheon. After landing at New York City, he settled in Bal-
timore. When the call was made for troops during the Mexican war, he
enlisted in 1846, in Company A, Walter Gear's Battalion Light Infantry.
He served under General Scott, and took part in the campaign from the
coast through to the city of Mexico. He was discharged at Baltimore,
Maryland, on the 31st of August, 1848. In 1849, Mr. F. made a trip to
Oregon Territory, and in 1850 he went to California, where he worked
in the gold mines. After celebrating the fourth of July, 185 1, in San
Francisco, he Started for the states by way of the Isthmus, and thence
to New Orleans. He came up the river to St. Louis, and then took a
trip through western Missouri. Returning to Baltimore, he was married
December 23, 185 1, to Miss Mary A. Fitzmaurice. In the spring of 1852,
they started west by cars, thence by steamboat to Weston, Missouri, and
from there by team to St. Joseph, which, at that time, was but a small
place. Leaving his wife there, he started out afoot to look up a location.
He soon purchased the farm on which he now resides, and has since been
engaged in agricultural pursuits. He owns upwards of 1100 acres of
bottom land, well improved, there being upon it a good orchard, brick
residence, etc. It is one of the best stock farms in the county. Mr. F.
has filled the position of school director several terms, taking a deep
interest in educational matters. His first wife died on the 13th of Sep-
tember, 1859, and left three children, two of whom are now living :
Mary Ann, born January 13, 1858 ; Thomas A., born September 13, 1858.
He was again married in i860, to Miss Mary A. Stanton, a native of
Mayo Island. By this union they have seven children : Sarah E., born
December 7, 1*862 ; John M., born September 7, 1864 ; P. Timothy, born
September 7, 1866 ; Edward M., born October 25, 1868 ; Robert E., born
September 2, 1870; Joseph W., born January 14, 1877; Stephen W.,born
July 30, 1 88 1. Himself and family are active members of the Catholic
Church of Forest City.
JACOB S. FOSTER
was born in Baltimore, Maryland, June 4, 1808. His parents, Elijah and
Annie (Singley) Foster, were also natives of that place. Jacob accom-
panied them to Richland County, Ohio, in 1817. They settled in the
heavy timber, among the Indians, and i« this wilderness young Foster
was reared to manhood, his education being obtained in the old log
school-house, with slab benches, puncheon floors, etc. He helped to
open several farms in that vicinity, and, in 1830, he was married to Miss
Mary Ely, a native of Washington County, Pennsylvania. They immi-
grated west, in the fall of i860 and settled in Oregon, since which time
372 HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
he has been a resident of Holt County. During the war he filled the
position of First Lieutenant of the Silver Grays, a company of 106, organ-
ized in this county. His father took part in the war of 1812, and he,
himself, although quite young at that time, remembers quite distinctly
the bombardment of Baltimore. Mrs. Foster died at Oregon, on the 17th
of June, 1875. From this union there had been born nineteen children,
seventeen boys and two girls. Of these five are now living : David, born
July 25, 183 1 ; Jehu, born February 25, 1835 ; Jacob, born March 20, 1841 ;
Solomon, born in February, 1842 ; Rebecca, born March 6, 1846, (now
Mrs. R. L. Coleman.) Mrs. Coleman keeps house for her father and
brothers. She has a daughter, Annie L. Coleman, born February 27,
1877. Mr. Foster has retired from active life and is living with his chil-
dren. He is still quite hale and hearty and bids fair to see many more
years.
D. FOSTER & BROTHERS,
are proprietors of a meat market and also of livery and feed stables.
This firm was organized in 1871. They have one of the best stables in
the county, fitted with a good stock, and are doing a flourishing business
in the livery line. They run a line of hacks from Oregon to Forest City,
for the accommodation of passengers, and carry the mail and express.
For the past ten years they have not missed a mail, and during the high
water in the spring of 1881, they carried it through to St. Joseph. They
are enterprising citizens, and besides the business mentioned, they
operate a superior meat market. David Foster is the eldest living son
of Jacob and Mary Foster. He was born on the 25th of July, 183 1, in
Morrow County, Ohio. He spent his boyhood days on the farm at his
birthplace, and received the benefits of a common school education. In
1854, he accompanied his parents to Noble County, Indiana, where he
remained until the fall of 1859, working on a farm in the summer season,
and teaching school during the winter months. He then moved west
and settled on a farm in Holt County, Missouri. He gave his attention
to agricultural pursuits until the spring of 1870, when he located in
Oregon and kept the City Hotel for one year. In 1871, he engaged in
the livery business with his brothers, which he has since continued. He
has filled the position of city marshal, and has been a member of the
city council. He devotes the most of his time to the care of the meat
market. Mr. Foster was married on the 28th of September, 1858, to
Miss Clara Cline, daughter of John Cline, Esq. She was born in Ohio.
They have nine children : Albert J., born May 5, 1858 ; James F., bornj
July 19, 1859; Charles H., born September 5, 1863 ; Christian, born May
28, 1868 ; Edward, born March 1, 1870; Robert L., born December 4,
1871 ; Lillian A., born January 29,1866; Cattie, born September 14,
1874, and Myrtle D., born September 6, 1877.
OREGON AND FOREST CITY. 373
JEHU FOSTER,
the second son of Jacob and Mary Foster, was born in Morrow County,
Ohio, February' 25, 1835. He remained at his birthplace until he was
eighteen years of age, when he accompanied his parents to Noble
County, Indiana. He spent his boyhood days on the farm and received
a common school education. In 1858 he took the California fever and
started for the land of gold. While en route he stopped at Oregon and
finally located here. He went to Iowa Point in the spring of 1859 and
for one year conducted a livery stable for Dr. Robinson. In the spring
of i860 he settled on a farm near Oregon, where he remained some six
years. During the war he served in the Enrolled Missouri Militia for
about six months. In 1866 he moved to Oregon and engaged in the
stock business. In the spring of 1870 he took charge of the City Hotel
at Oregon and operated that one year, after which he became associated
with his brother in the livery business, and has since followed that occu-
pation. Mr. Foster was married the 17th of December, 1863, to Miss
Ellen Markland, daughter of Colonel R. D. Markland, who served in
the Enrolled Missouri Militia in this section of country for some time.
Mrs. F. was born near Cincinnati in June, 1840. They have two chil-
dren : Emma C, born Febrnary 25, 1868 ; Frank F., born March 17,
1870. Mrs. Foster has been an active member of the Christian Church
since 1868.
WILLIAM H. FRAME,
Sheriff of Holt County, was born in Brown County, Ohio, on March 12,
1848. His parents, W. R. and Nancy (Hook) Frame, were both natives
of Ohio. William remained at his birthplace until nineteen years of age,
spending his boyhood days on the farm and receiving his education in
the neighborhood schools. In 1863, when only fifteen years of age, he
enlisted with the one hundred day men, in Company D, One Hundred
and Thirty-second Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was mustered in at
Gallipolis, Ohio. After serving his time he re-enlisted in Company I,
One Hundred and Ninety-first Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served
nearly a year. He took part in some of the engagements in the Shen-
endoah Valley, although on post duty most of the time. The regiment
was mustered out at Winchester, Virginia, in November, 1865. The sub-
ject of this sketch then returned to his old home, in Ohio, and remained
there until 1868, when he came westward and settled on a farm near
Mound City. In 1869 he moved to a farm near Craig, on which he lived
one year, next turning his attention to the mercantile business, in Craig.
In 1878 he was elected Sheriff of Holt County and was re-elected in 1880.
He makes an excellent official, and discharges the duties of this position
with credit to himself and to the entire satisfaction of all parties inter-
374 HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
ested. He is a member of Craig Lodge, No. 21 1, I. O. O. F., in which he
has filled all the offices of the subordinate lodge. He is also a member
of Oregon Lodge, No. 197, A. O. U. W., in which he has filled most of
the offices. Mr. Frame was married June 28, 1874, to Miss Fannie
Arnold, daughter of Thomas Arnold of Holt County. She was born in
Atchison County, Missouri. They have one child, Richard W., born July
l9< i875- Mrs. Frame is a member of the Ladies Union of Oregon.
CHRISTIAN FUHRMAN,
farmer, is the owner of 277 acres of land, his residence being on section
13. He was born in Germany, May 8, 1826, and in 1832 came to this
country, settling in Ohio. In 1836, he moved to Adams County, Indiana,
where he was raised to manhood, and there he helped his father clear a
heavy timber farm. Later he bought some land of his own, which, by
more than ordinary work he managed to improve. In the spring of 1869 he
sold his farm and moved to the Platte Purchase, locating in Holt County,
where he purchased the farm where he now lives. This was nearly all
new and unimproved land. By the help of his family he has obtained
such a home as is worth a few years of toil. His residence is a good
one, and he has one of the best bank barns in the county, a former one
having burned down in 1876, being struck by lightning. An orchard of
300 trees is on the place. As a man and neighbor, Mr. F. is honest and
kind, and is honored by all. He married Miss Elizabeth Behurick, in
Indiana, in 1847. She was the daughter of John Behurick, from Ger-
many. They have six children living: Henry Charles, Sophia, Christ,
Daniel, Edward and Elizabeth. Philip died November 6, 1880, aged
29 years Mary and John died in Indiana in 1858. Mr. F. and family
are members of the Evangelical Association. In politics he is a Repub-
lican.
ASHER GOSLIN, M. D.,
of the firm of Goslin & Fiegenbaum, physicians and surgeons, was born
«n Clermont County, Ohio, February 24, 1830. His father, Nathaniel
Goslin, was born in Virginia, while his mother, whose maiden name was
Annie Cox, was from New Jersey. Asher spent his boyhood days on
the farm at his birth-place, and received his education at Antioch College,
of Yellow Springs, Ohio. He commenced the study of medicine under
Dr. D. H. Bradley, of Felicity, Clermont County, Ohio, in 1856, and took
his first course of lectures at the Ohio Medical College, situated at Cin-
cinnati, Ohio, during the winter of 1858-9. In October, 1859, he moved
to White County, Illinois, and practiced at that point until September,
1861, when he enlisted in Company H, Forty-eighth Illinois Infantry.
He was elected captain in the regiment in April 1862, and on the battle
OREGON AND FOREST CITY. 375
field of Shiloh he was promoted to surgeon of the regiment, serving in
this capacity until October, 1864. The last year of his service he was
in charge of the Fifteenth Army Corps Field Hospital. In October,
1864, Dr. G. re-enlisted and was promoted to acting staff surgeon of the
United States Army. At the time of re-enlistment he was presented
with a case of surgical instruments, valued at $200, by his old regiment
(the Forty-eighth Illinois). He served until May, 1865, and took part in
the battles of Fort Henry, Fort Donelson, Shiloh, siege of Corinth,
second battle of Corinth, siege of Vicksburg, Jackson, Mississippi, Mis-
sionary Ridge, the Atlanta campaign, through with Sherman to the Sea
and through the Carolinas to Washington, where he took part in the
grand review. At the close of the war he settled in Olney, Illinois, and
resumed his practice. He remained there until May, 1869, when he
located in Oregon, Missouri, in June, 1869. His kind manner and cheerful
countenance makes him a welcome visitor to the sick room, for to the
best qualifications as a physician, he adds promptness in attention to
calls. In July, 1880, he accepted as a partner Dr. Fiegenbaum. Since
then they have had a large and lucrative practice. Dr. Goslin is a member
of the Masonic and Odd Fellow's Lodges. He has filled the position of
president of the Oregon Normal School Board, and professor of physiology
in the school. He was married September 1, 1855, to Miss Sarah A.
Quinn, a native of Felicity, Clermont County, Ohio, and daughter of
Isaiah and Acineth Quinn, of that place. She was born September 4,
1835. They have one child, Estella M., born July 16, 1857. Mrs. G. is
a member of the Presbyterian Church of Oregon, and an active member
of the Woman's Union of Oregon.
ORVILLE GRAVES,
of the firm of Graves & Weber, dealers in general merchandise, was
born in Washington County, Kentucky, August 26, 1832. His parents,
James and Ruth S. Graves, were from Virginia. Orville was raised to
manhood at his birthplace, on the bank of a little creek called Pleasant
Run, some four miles from the village of Springfield, the county seat.
He received his education in the old fashioned log school houses, and
when sixteen years of age he commenced to learn the blacksmith trade.
He worked the first year for thirty dollars, and furnished his own cloth-
ing and washing, and in the spring of 185 1, he went aboard a steamboat
at Louisville, Kentucky, going to St. Louis. He went from there up the
river to St. Joseph, and thence by team to the northeastern part of Atchi-
son County. He and two brothers took up a claim on east Tarkio Creek,
remained there one year, and then purchased an improved farm on the
Nodaway River, in Nodaway County. In the fall of 1852, their parents
moved here and settled with the boys. In 1865, the subject of this
376 HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
sketch sold out with the intention of starting for Oregon Territory. He
traveled over the country considerably, but finally settled at Forest City
and engaged in the mercantile business with J. B. Truett. After thus
continuing the business five years, George Weber became a partner,
and he afterwards sold out to the present partner, Emil Weber. They
carry a large and complete stock in their line, and receive a liberal pat-
ronage. Mr. Graves has been a member of the city council several
years. He belongs to Forest City Lodge No. 214, A. F. and A. M., and
has filled the office of treasurer for a number of years. He was married
February 9, 1853, to Miss Frances Vinsonhaler, daughter of Jacob Vin-
sonhaler, an old pioneer of Nodaway County. She was born in Ohio
in February, 1835. They have four children living: Mary B.,born Feb-
ruary 4, 1854, (now Mrs. Emil Weber); Annie E., born in 1856, (now
Mrs. Robert P. Zook); Charles T., born July 2, 1862, and Daisy L., born
in 1870. Lost three. Mrs. G. is a member of the M. E. Church. Being
an old pioneer, Mr. Graves is well known in this vicinity. He has ever
taken a deep interest in building up and improving the county, for which
he deserves much credit.
JOSEPH GROVES,
dealer in general merchandise, was born near Luray, Page County, Vir-
ginia, January 14, 1842. His parents, Peter and Catherine Groves, were
both natives of Virginia. Joseph was reared to manhood at his birth-
place on the farm and received a common school education. During
the war he espoused the southern cause and served for about four years
in the Confederate army. He was a member of an artillery company
with Hill's corps, William Pegram's battalioo, and took part in nearly
all the battles against the army of the Potomac, through the entire
siege of Petersburg, at the battles of Fredricksburg, Chancellorsville
and through Grant's campaign. His battery fired the first cannon shot
at the battle of Gettysburg. Mr. G. served until the close of the war,
after which he turned his attention to farming in his native county and
state. In the fall of 1867 he emigrated west and remained one year in
Hancock County, Illinois. In 1869 he came to Forest City and started
a livery stable, carrying on the business some two and a half years.
He then became associated with George B. Chaddock, in the general
merchandise business, under the firm name of Chaddock & Groves,
and, after three years, Mr. Groves took the stock in his name and has
continued the business since. He has a branch store at Mound City,
conducted under the firm name of Groves & Furguson. Mr. G. also
ships some grain and deals in agricultural implements of all kinds.
He owns a handsome residence and other town property. He is at
present a member of the city council and of the school board. Mr.
Groves was married the 26th of February, 1871, to Miss Cora Whobrey,
OREGON AND FOREST CITY. 377
daughter of J. B. Whobrey, of this county. They have three children :
John, born October 16, 1872 ; Mattie, born March 16, 1875 ; Mary, born
April 16, 1879. Himself and wife are active members of the M. E.
Church South, in which he fills the position of recording steward and
Sabbath School superintendent.
DANIEL HAHN, Sr.,
farmer and stock raiser, section 3. Prominent among the earliest
pioneers of Holt County, is the subject of this sketch. His parents,
Andrew and Mary Hahn, were natives of Maryland, and were among
the early pioneers of Columbiana County, Ohio. Daniel was born in
that county, on the 24th of November, 18 12. His boyhood days were
spent on the farm, and he received an education in the subscription
schools kept in the log houses. His father owned a saw mill, and when
twelve years of age Daniel commenced to work in the mill, following the
business for several years. He emigrated west with his family in the
fall of 1840, came by steamboat to Boone County, Missouri, and thence
by ox teams to what is now Holt County, arriving here on the 27th of
March, 1841. It was a vast wilderness, inhabited principally by roving
bands of Indians, and abounding in game. He took up a claim in sec-
tion 17, Lewis Township, on the bottoms, built a log cabin and broke
some thirty acres of ground. Being a good shot, he killed game enough
to keep the family in meat the year round. Their milling point was
Platte River Mills, below St. Joseph, and during the winter of 1842, he
made all their meal on a hominy block. The high water in the spring
of 1844 drowned his stock and destroyed his farm. He then settled on
another farm, on which he remained until 1846,. when he located where
he now resides. It consists of 200 acres of well improved land, watered
by running water, and well adapted to stock raising. It lays one and
one-half miles south of Oregon. He has a comfortable residence, good!
orchard, etc. He built a water saw mill on Mill Creek, in 1848, and run
it until 1862. During the war he espoused the Union cause, shouldered
a musket and went to the front, although fifty-two years of age. He
enlisted in Company H, Thirty-fifth Missouri Infantry, in the spring of
1862, and served until the close of the war, taking part in many of the
engagements in Missouri, Arkansas, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Missis-
sippi. At the close of the war he returned to his farm, and has given
his attention to agricultural pursuits since. Mr. H. is now living with
his third wife. His first wife was Miss Susan Kerns, who died in 1847,
leaving eight children, three of whom are now living : Mary, Leah, born
February 3, 1841 (now Mrs. Charlie Prather) and Melinda, born January
22, 1843, (now Mrs. John Marsh, of Oregon). His second wife was Nancy
Hogue. She died in 1866, and left eight children, five of whom are liv-
378 HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
ing : Diana, born January 18, 1850, (now Mrs. William Miller) ; Rich-
ard and Daniel, twins, born April 8, 1855 ; Anna J., born December 29,
1858 ; David, born December 30, i860. He was married again in 1873,
to Mrs. Sarah Anderson, a native of Indiana. She has one child by her
former husband, Ell J. Anderson, born June 15, 1871. By this union they
have had three children, two of whom are living : Adam, born August 9,
1874, and Anna J., born August 15, 1875.
JOHN W. HAIGLER,
farmer and stock raiser, section 12, a well-to-do farmer of Holt County,
was born December 9, 1837, in Franklin County, Missouri. His parents,
Eli and Elizabeth (Hinkle) Haigler, were both natives of Virginia. John
was the fourth child in a family ol seven. He was reared on a farm,
receiving the benefits of a common school education, and in the spring
of 1849 ne came to Holt County and settled on the Missouri River bot-
tom. At the death of his mother, in 1851, he returned to his old home,
remaining until 1855, when he again came to this county. In the fall of
1859 he took a trip to Texas, and after spending a few months on the
frontier he returned to Holt County. In the spring of 1864 he went to
Nebraska and remained there until the spring of 1866. Since then he
has resided in this locality. He owns some 300 acres of fine bottom
land, 200 of which are under cultivation. He has a handsome brick
residence, and his farm is one of the finest for stock purposes in the
county, he being quite largely interested in that business. The high
water in the spring of 1881 damaged him to the extent of about $4,000,
destroying 100 acres of winter wheat, fences, etc. Mr. Haigler was mar-
ried February 27, 1861, to Sidonia Furguson, daughter of Joseph N. and
Polly Furguson, of Franklin County, Missouri. She was born in that
county July 5, 1835. By this union they have four children: Mary J.,
born December 13, 1861 ; Virginia E., born October 11, 1864; Harry L.,
born January 14, 1868, and John W., born September 26, 187 1. They
have lost three. Mrs. Haigler is a member of the Methodist Episcopal
Church South.
HASNESS & IRVINE,
editors and proprietors of the Holt County Press. This firm is composed
of J. M. Hasness and L. Irvine. J. M. Hasness was born in the village
of New Lisbon, Columbiana County, Ohio, January 22, 1849. His father,
Abraham Hasness, was a native of Maryland, while his wife was a native
of Ohio. In 1857 J. M. accompanied his parents to Iowa, and after
remaining there some two years he made a short visit to Ohio, and
thence to Oregon, Holt Count)', Missouri, in the spring of 1859. His
fathe-r was a cabinetmaker by trade, and opened a shop at this place.
OREGON AND FOREST CITY. 379
J. M. received fair educational advantages and, in 1867, he began to learn
the printing business, first in Oregon and then at Pleasant Hill, Missouri.
From there he went to Hiawatha, Kansas, in 1870, where he held the
position of foreman of the Hiawatha Dispatch for three years. In Jan-
uary, 1874, he moved to Rock Port, Atchison County, Missouri, and
started the Rock Port News. In August of that year he sold an interest
to William Kaucher. They moved the- paper to Oregon, and started
the Missouri Valley Times. In 1876 Mr. Kaucher sold his interest to
Henry Shutts, and the new firm changed the name of their paper to the
Holt County Press. In 1877 Mr. Shutts disposed of his share to Clark
Irvine and, in 1878, Mr. Hasness purchased Mr. Irvine's interest and con-
ducted the paper alone until September, 1881, when he sold a half inter-
est to Leigh Irvine. They publish a neat and newsy sheet and represent
the Democratic interests of the county in a very able and satisfactory
manner. Mr. H. is an able writer and is much of a gentleman in his
manners, having risen to his present position as a journalist step by step.
He is an active member of Oregon Lodge, No. 54, I. O. O. F., and holds
the position of District Deputy Grand Master. He also belongs to the
A. O. U. W. of Oregon. He was married October 4, 1880, to Miss Alice
Kreek, daughter of T. I. Kreek, one of the old pioneers of Holt County.
She was born in this county August 15, 1857. They are active members
of the M. E. Church of Oregon, in which he holds the position of Sab-
bath-School Superintendent. Leigh Irvine, of the firm of Hasness &
Irvine, also of the firm of O'Fallen & Irvine, attorneys, is a son of Clark
and Annie Irvine, who were pioneers of Holt County, Missouri. Leigh
was born on the 28th of November, i860, in Oregon. After receiving a
preparatory education in the Oregon schools he entered the State Uni-
versity at Columbia, Missouri, in the fall of 1880, graduating from the
law department during the summer of 1881. He then formed a partner-
ship with Mr. O'Fallon and commenced the practice of law at Oregon.
In September, 1881, he purchased an interest in the Holt County Press,
and now carries on both branches of business. He is a good writer and
a deep thinker and stands among the prominent attorneys of the county.
THOMAS S. HINDE,
druggist and apothecary and dealer in books, etc., was born in Mt. Ver-
non, Jefferson County, Illinois, on the 21st of April, 1847. His parents,
James and Elizabeth Hinde, were natives of Kentucky. When quite
small Thomas was taken to White County, Illinois. His father prac-
ticed law, and held the positions of circuit clerk and recorder of that
county for several years. Thomas received his education principally at
the State University, at Bloomington, Indiana. When twelve years of
age, he commenced to assist his father in the circuit clerk's office,
380 HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
remaining with him while not in school until he was twenty-one. In
the fall of 1867, he migrated west and settled at Savannah, Andrew
County, Missouri, and engaged in the grocery business. After fol'owing
this occupation for eighteen months, he embarked in the drug business
with Dr. Holloway, with whom he continued until October, 1872, when
he came to Oregon. He soon opened a drug store at this point,
and has since carried on a flourishing business. His stock, the largest
in the city, is very complete. He also carries a stock of fancy groceries,
and has a neat and tasty store room on Nodaway Street. He is an active
member of Oregon Lodge No. 54, I. O. O. F., and has filled all the offices
within the gift of the lodge. Mr. Hinde was married on the 22d of Sep-
tember, 1867, to Miss Flora A. Thompson, daughter of William B.
Thompson, of White County, Illinois. She was born in Carmi, White
County, Illinois, May 6, 1879, ar,d was an old schoolmate of Mr. Hinde.
They had four children : Grace, Willie, Edith and James. Mrs. H. is a
member of the Presbyterian Church.
JOHN C. HINKLE,
farmer and stock-raiser, section 18, was born November 23, 1837, in
Franklin County, Missouri, on the bank of the Missouri River. His
parents, Adam and Sarah Hinkle, were both natives of Virginia, but
came to Missouri about the year 1830. John was the fourth in a family
of six children. His parents both died when he was quite small, and he
grew to manhood an orphan. His mother died in 1842, and his father in
1843. John remained in the vicinity of his birth until he was seventeen
years old. He received the benefits of a common school education, and
August 10, 1858, he landed in Holt County, Missouri. He then purchased
the place where he now resides, there being a small log cabin upon it,
and some twenty acres broken. Since this date, he has been a resident
of Holt County, actively engaged in agricultural pursuits. He at present
owns some 719 acres of fine bottom land, about 510 of which are under
cultivation. He has a comfortable residence and an excellent barn,
besides an orchard of 800 apple trees. His farm is well watered and
well adapted to stock raising, and is one of the finest in the county.
During the late civil war he enlisted in the Confederate army, and served
three years under General Price, taking part in the battles of Blue Mills,
Lexington, Pea Ridge, second Corinth, Vicksburg, West Plains and
many others, serving in the commissary department most of the time.
At the close of the war, he returned to his farm. He is a member of
Forest City Lodge, No. 214, A. F. and A. M. Mr. Hinkle was married
the 8th of August, [858, to Miss Susan T. Noble, a native of Scotland
County, Missouri, and a daughter of John and Viney Noble. She was
the eighth in a family of ten children, and was born October 16, 1835,
OREGON AND FOREST CITY. 38 1
Her father came from Kentucky, while his wife was born in Tennessee.
They came to Missouri about the year 1816, when it was still a territory.
The former taught school in Pike County, when he was obliged to take
his rifle with him and watch for Indians. Both of the parents and all of
the family are still living, none of the latter having ever been sick. Mr.
and Mrs. Hinkle have had a family of six children, five of whom are now
living. John A., born July 18, 1859 > Jehu G., born November 13, i860 ;
William, deceased ; George W., born January 30, 1866 ; Leola Olive,
born January 19, 1868 ; Byron Lee, born August 6, 1870. Himself and
wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, of Tarkio
Chapel, in which he formerly held the position of steward. The high
water in the spring of 1881, destroyed eighty acres of fall wheat, and
damaged 1,000 bushels of corn, besides sweeping away his fences.
HOBLITZELL & BRO.,
dealers in pine lumber and farm wagons. The firm is composed of
Cornelius and Joseph Hoblitzell. Cornelius Hoblitzell was born in
Platte County, Missouri, January 10, 1841. His father was a native of
Maryland, while his wife was from Pennsylvania. They came to Holt
County, Missouri, in the spring of 1844, and settled in Oregon, after-
wards moving upon a farm five miles east of town. On this place they
lived some time and then came back to Oregon. The town of Browns-
ville, Nebraska, next became their home, and in the spring of 1861 they
returned to Holt County. The boys obtained a fair school education,
but received a thorough insight into business. During the war Joseph
served in the Union army, and Cornelius served in the Enrolled Mis-
souri Militia. In 1865 Joseph and Cornelius engaged in the mercantile
business, which they continued some two years and then became inter-
ested in the lumber business, in which they have since been engaged.
They have a large yard at St. Joseph, Missouri, which Joseph superin-
tends, and Cornelius superintends the other four, situated at Oregon,
Forest City, Craig, and Fairfax. All these yards are conducted by men
well qualified for their positions — Edmund Pinkston at Forest City,
Charles Doughty at Craig, and William Combs at Fairfax. They own
all the lumber yards in Holt County, except two, and do a thriving busi-
ness at these points. They have taken a deep interest in the growth
and improvement of this county. Cornelius moved to Craig in 1875
and resided there six years, returning to Oregon in 188 1. He owns a
fine fruit farm east of Oregon, of some seventy-five acres, on which he
has some 1,100 trees of all kinds and a large quantity of small fruit.
He is a member of Craig Lodge, No. — , A. F. & A. M., in which he
holds the office of Worshipful Master. Mr. H. was married March 19,
1861, to Amanda M. Combs, of Peru, Nebraska. She was a native of
382 HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
Illinois and was born November 27, 1842. They have, three children
living: Cora B., born January 14, 1862, (now Mrs. H. F. Allen, of Wat-
son, Atchison County); Winnie V., born February 9, 1870 ; William H.T
born January 5, 1881. Himself, wife and eldest daughter are active
members of the M. E. Church, Oregon, in which he fills the positions of
steward and Sabbath School superintendent. He is also president of
the Holt County Sabbath School organization.
VINE HOVY,
agent for the Kansas City, St. Joseph and Council Bluffs Railroad, at
Forest City, was born in Urbana, Champaign County, Ohio, on the 22d
of July, 1832. His parents, Samuel T. and Rachel C. Hovy, were both
natives of Ohio. Vine was reared to manhood at his birthplace, and
received an education in the neighborhood schools. He learned the
brickmakers trade in his youth, and in 1856 he moved to McDonough
County, Illinois, remaining there for three years, working at his trade.
In 1859 he immigrated to Colorado, and made that vicinity his home
until September, 1862. He was located at Tarryall and Blue River, and
was engaged in mining and ranching, after which he returned to the
States. In the winter of 1862 he took another trip west with a freight
train, but having sold his outfit he again came to the States. In the
spring of 1863 he went to Montana, returned to Ohio in November, 1864,
and enlisted in Company I, One Hundred and Ninety-sixth Ohio Volun-
teer Infantry. The regiment was placed on duty at Fort Delaware, and
Mr. H. was mustered out in September, 1865, at Camp Chase, Ohio. He
came west in November, 1865, and located at East Atchison, where he
entered the employ of the Kansas City, St. Joseph and Council Bluffs
Railroad Company, commencing as a truck-man in the freight house.
Later, he became freight agent, and in September, 1879, he accepted the
position as agent at Forest City, and has filled the position since, with
credit to himself and to the satisfaction of the railroad company. He is
amember of the city council of Forest City. He owns an interest in a
steam sawmill. Mr. Hovy is a member of the Knights of Pythias, and of
the Ancient Order of United Workmen, of Atchison. He was married
July 22, 1856, to Miss Lizzie M. Goheen, daughter of J. W. Goheen, of
Belleville, Illinois. They have an interesting family of four children :
Emma B., nineteen years old ; Lottie L., nine years of age ; Nellie M.,
aged six, and Laura C. F., four years old. Mr. H., his wife and eldest
daughter, are members of Presbyterian Church at Forest City.
WILLIAM KAUCHER.
Prominent among the old pioneers of this county is the subject of
this sketch. His parents, Jacob and Dorothy Kaucher, were both natives
OREGON AND FOREST CITY. 383
of Pennsylvania. William was born in Berks County, Pennsylvania,,
November 22, 183 1. He spent his boyhood days principally in German-
town, Ohio, receiving fair educational advantages. His father was a mill-
wright, and his four sons learned that trade. William's first work on his
own account was at Sidney, Shelby County, Ohio, but from there he
went to Freeburg, Ohio, and then to Terra Haute, Indiana, next moving
to Westfield, Clark County, Illinois. During the Kansas and Nebraska
excitement he came west, and settled at Leavenworth, in April, 1855.
He located in Oregon in July, 1855, and superintended the erection of
the first steam mill in the coanty, and probably the first one above St.
Joseph. He has since then made Oregon his home, and has been inter-
ested in nearly every mill in Northwestern Missouri. In 1856, he, with
a partner established a general shop in Oregon, for the manufacture of
looms and other articles of furniture. They continued the business some
two years. From that time on he has been engaged in erecting and operat-
ing mills in Missouri, Iowa, Nebraska and Kansas. He was elected sheriff
of Holt County, in the fall of 1862, and was re-elected in the fall of 1864.
When all the officers in the state were thrown out in 1865, the subject of
•our sketch was re-appointed by the governor, and filled the office until
the close of 1866. In November, 1867, he was appointed United States
Assistant Internal Revenue Collector, of Holt, Atchison, Nodaway and
Andrew Counties, he filling the position until August, 1871. The office
was then abolished, and the business thrown into the collector's office.
He then turned his attention to agricultural pursuits. In 1S74, in part-
nership with J. M. Hasness, Mr. K. started the Missouri Valley Times, at
Oregon. In August, 1876, he sold out to Henry Shutts, and turned his
attention to the milling business. February 28th, 1881, he purchased an
interest in the East Forest City Mills. These mills are owned by a stock
company, and are among the most complete mills in Northwest Mis-
souri, being rated as a 225 barrel mill. He fitted it up and now super-
intends the business. Mr. Kaucher has had a long experience in the .
business, and understands it thoroughly. He is a member of Oregon
Lodge No. 139, A. F. and A. M., and Oregon Lodge No. 54, I. O. O. F.,
also Oregon Encampment No. 43, I. O. O. F. He was married Septem-
ber 26, 1858, to Miss Sarah E. Watson, daughter of Judge Samuel Wat-
son, one of the earliest pioneers of Holt County. She was born near
Oregon, in 1842, and died August 9, 1872. By this union they had seven
children, four of whom are living : Mary, born May 20, 1861 ; Lilly,
born November 18, 1863 ; Eva, born December 15, 1866 ; Lawrence, born
September 12, 1869. Mr. K. was married again May 26, 1873, to Lucy
S. Christian. She is a native of Chicago. They have had three children,
two of whom are living : Leah E., born December 9,. 1877, and. George,.
born November 20, 1880.
384 HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
JAMES A. KEEVES,
•dealer in general merchandise, was born on a farm in Berkeley County,
Virginia, September 25, 1828. His parents, Arthur and Sarah Keeves,
were both natives of Virginia. James was the youngest of six children,
five of whom are now living. He spent his boyhood days on the farm,
and commenced to follow the plow when only nine years of age, receiv-
ing but a common school education, in the subscription schools. In 185 1
he left his birthplace to preach, as a supply minister for the M. E. Church,
on the Wardensville circuit, in Hampshire County, Virginia. One year
later he returned to Berkeley County. His father died in 1850, and his
mother decided to move west with the family. In the spring of 1854
they took the steamer at Wheeling, West Virginia, going to St. Louis,
then went to St. Joseph, and thence to Oregon, by team, arriving here
May 22, 1854. The subject of this sketch, having $500, determined to
settle on a farm. He, in partnership with his mother, purchased 160
acres, paying $2,000 for it. It is now the County Poor Farm. In i860
Mr. K. moved to Oregon and conducted the City Hotel one year, clear-
ing $1,500. He then moved back on. the farm, on which he remained
until the spring of 1864, whe he located in Oregon. He soon entered
into partnership with Daniel E. and John G. Cathell, in the general mer-
chandise business, which they continued till 1866. He afterwards worked
four years, as book-keeper, with Levi Zook and James Stalt, in their
bank. October 4, 1870, he bought an interest in a general merchandise
store, with Judge Watson. They erected a good brick block in 1878,
and on the 4th of October, 1878, Mr. Watson retired and Mrs. Mary
Bevan purchased an interest, she being represented by her son. On the
18th of January, 1882, Mr. Keeves purchased Mrs. B.'s interest. He now
•carries a well-assorted stock and does a good business. He is a member
of Oregon Lodge, No. 139, A. F. and A. M. Mr. Keeves has been twice
married ; first, October 6, 1863, to Miss Eliza Hahn, daughter of Richard
Hahn, one of the old pioneers of Holt County. She died October 9,
1864. He was married again the 22d of March, 1870, in Berkeley County,
Virginia, to Miss Kate T. Jones, a native of that county, born January
10, 1843. He has been a member of the church since he was nineteen
years ol age. He first belonged to the Methodist, but there not being
any members of that denomination here when he came he joined the
Presbyterian Church, in which he fills the position of Elder. His wife is
also a member of that denomination.
ROBERT L. KELLY,
deceased, was born in Pennsylvania in December, 18 14. When he was
ten years old his father moved to Knox County, Ohio, and bought a
OREGON AND FOREST CITY. 385
farm. He remained at home until he was eighteen years of age, then
went to Kentucky, and there learned the stonecutters trade, at which he
worked more or less during life. April 10, 1850, he married Miss Cas-
sandra Perrigo, the daughter of William Perrigo, of Breckinridge County,
Kentucky, where she was born in 1828. They had six children : George
W., James W., Elizabeth, who married David Ramsey, of Atchison
County ; Eliza, Ellen and Irene. In the spring of 1850 Mr. Kelly
came to this state and county, and bought unimproved land. He at
once commenced with a will to cultivate it, put up a small house, set out
an orchard, etc. At the breaking out of the war, when the call for troops
was made, he responded at once, entered the Sixth Missouri State
Militia as first lieutenant, and after his time expired he re-enlisted in
the Thirty-fifth Missouri Volunteer Infantry as sergeant, and was sta-
tioned at Benton Barracks, St. Louis. After being there some three
months he was taken sick and died, December 22, 1862. He was an
able, honest, capable and intelligent man, Union trom principle, and a
good soldier. Mrs. K. was left on her new farm with her small children
to care for, and while she experienced many hardships and trials, she
was brave, and faced the dangers with true valor and womanly courage.
She ha.s raised her family, given them good educations, and four of them
have become teachers. She has kept her farm of 200 acres, situated on
section 23, and has succeeded in keeping it in excellent condition. They
are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
MAJOR GEORGE W. KELLY
is a prominent man among the early settlers of Holt County. He was
born near Union, Monroe County, Virginia, on the 26th of July, 1824.
His parents, John W. and Mary (Stuart) Kelly, were both natives of
Virginia. George accompanied them to the White Sulphur Springs and
then to Lewisburg, Virginia, in 1835, where he remained until November,
1840. His father edited the Western Enquirer, and George worked in
the office and learned the printing business. In the fall of 1840 he came
westward with his parents, stopping a short time in Lafayette County,
Missouri. The elder Kelly traveled through to Holt County to view the
country, returned, and in January, 1841, he and his son George came up
and erected a cabin in what is now known as Nichols' Grove,* where they
took claims. The family followed during the succeeding March. John
W. Kelly being a lawyer, moved to Oregon and hung out his shingle.
He was appointed commissioner to purchase the town site, and was the
first lawyer enrolled in the county. He filled the position of county
judge for several terms, and also represented the county several terms in
the Legislature. He was nominated for lieutenant governor, on the
Thomas Benton ticket, but was defeated. He died the 26th of Septem-
25
386 HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
ber, 1868. George received a fair education, and attended the first school
taught in the county. He read law to some extent with his father, and
while in Virginia, he had studied Latin and Greek. Upon arriving at
maturity he engaged in trading, and served several terms as deputy
sheriff of Holt County. During the Mexican war, in 1847, he enlisted in
Craig's company, Lieutenant Colonel Powell's battalion of mounted Mis-
sourians. This company was made up in Holt and Atchison Counties.
They were ordered out on the plains, — started for Oregon Territory ;
they built Fort Kearney, and remained a short time at Fort Laramie, and
made an expedition into the Sioux country. They were discharged in (
November, 1848, after which he returned to Holt County, Missouri. In
the spring of 1850 the subject of this sketch started overland for Cali-
fornia, leaving Oregon on the 14th of April, and arriving in Sacramento
City the 3rd of July. He went by the northern route from Humboldt
north through the southern part of Oregon, having missed the shorter
route. After remaining one year in California, he returned by the Isth-
mus and New Orleans, and then to Holt County. He was engaged as
deputy sheriff and also in dealing in land and stock. In September,
1861, he enlisted in Kimball's regiment, Missouri Volunteer Militia, and
held the position of major of cavalry in this regiment. In March, 1862,
he re-enlisted as major of the Fourth Regiment Missouri State Militia
Volunteers, and served with his regiment three years, or until the close
of the war, having acted in Southern Missouri and Arkansas. He assisted
in driving General Shelby out of Missouri in 1863, and General Price in
1864. He was the only field officer on the battle field at Little Blue, his
regiment losing forty-eight men in this encounter.. He rode across the
creek at the head of his regiment, under the enemy's fire. His horse was
shot twice, and Captain Blair, one of his best captains, was killed. He
commanded the right wing. They took part in the battle of Mine Run,
Kansas, where they captured 800 prisoners and ten loaded pieces of
artillery. At the close ol the war Major K. returned to Holt County,
and has since made this his home, with the exception of six months spent
in Kansas City, and one year at St. Joseph. He commenced the hotel
business in Oregon in 1875, and in August, 1877, the hotel burned. In
November, of that year, he came to Forest City and conducted the
Brady House two years and four months. Since then he has retired from
active life. He has never been a member of any .secret society, nor has
he ever drank any liquor. He was married January 10, 1847, to Miss
Alvira H. Davis, a native of Ohio. She died at Forest City, November
2, 1879. She was an active member of the M. E. Church.
PHILIP KOLLMOR,
superintendent of the Holt County Poor House, was born in Wurtenberg,
Germany, on the 6th of December, 1826, and is the son of Fredrick and
OREGON AND FOREST CITY. 387
Catharine Kollmor, both natives of Germany. Philip was reared to
manhood in the village of El Hofen, receiving a common education. He
learned the baker's trade, and also served for a while in the German army-
In 1852 he crossed the ocean, and landed at New York City on the 6th
of February, remaining there some ten months, working in a sugar
house. From there he went to Morrow County, Ohio, where he worked
four years in the coal mines, after which he came to Holt County, Mis-
souri, arriving here April 29, 1856. For the first few years he worked
by the day in Oregon. During the civil war he was among the first to
respond to President Lincoln's call for troops. He enlisted June 13,
1861, in Company B, Twenty-fifth Missouri Infantry, and took part in
the battle of Lexington, Missouri, and was taken prisoner and parolled.
He re-enlisted and at the bloody battle of Shiloh, on the 6th of April,
1862, he was severely wounded. He remained in the hospital until Sep-
tember I, 1862, when he was discharged on account of disability. Return-
ing to Holt County, Mr. K. engaged in farming and trimming fruit trees.
He now owns an improved farm of 40 acres, situated on the road between
Oregon and Forest City. He took charge of the Holt County Poor House
March 1, 1880, and has since filled this position. He makes an efficient
superintendent, being a man of strict integrity and gifted with a kind
and generous nature. Mr. Kollmor was married October 1, 1854, to Miss
Fannie Millheart, a native of Baden, Germany. They have eight
children : William, born May 10, 1857 ; Sophia, born September 27,
1858 ; Trocy, born April 10, i860, (now Mrs. Michael Toll, of this county)
Albert, born December 7, 1863 ; Emma, born April 6, 1867 ; Elizabeth,
born March 13, 1868; Melia, born December 25, 1870; Fredrick, born
April 18, 1878. Two are deceased. Himself and wife are members of
the German M. E. Church, of Oregon.
THOMAS ISRAEL KREEK,
retired merchant and fruit grower, has forty-five acres of land adjoining
the corporation of Oregon. He is the son of Andrew and Amelia
(Castle) Kreek, and was born in Washington County, Maryland, May
13, 1826. His advantages for acquiring an education were very limited.
In youth he learned the shoemaking trade and worked at it for many
years. In 1852 he came to this state, locating in Holt County, where
he started a shoe shop, at Oregon, and continued the business until
1861, when he embarked in the general merchandise business with
Jonas Lamer, an old merchant. They bought goods on a rising market
and did a very large and profitable business. In 1865 Mr. K. sold out
to his partner, and in the fall of the same year he entered into business
with Samuel Hershberger, and the relation has been continued for
many years, though with several changes in the firm. Now the firm is
388 HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
Kreek & Watson, and, as it is one of the old and successful firms, is
enjoying a very satisfactory patronage. The business is carried on by
the sons of Messrs. Kreek & Watson. Mr. Kreek has been from the
first one of the leading men in Oregon in the way of building. First
he erected a good residence in the eastern part of the city, and in 1875
he built two large brick stores and a third one with Mr. Hershberger.
In 1881 he put up one of the finest residences in the city — a model
of architectural beauty and splendor. On his forty-five acres of land
he has some 800 apple trees, 300 pear, 500 peach, and cherries, plums,
grapes and all other small fruit of the best quality. He married Miss
Elizabeth Steel Jackson, in Fayette County, Pennsylvania, January 15,
185 1. They have by this happy union eight children living: John
Andrew, Amelia Castle, Elizabeth A., Agnes Steel, Thomas Orick,
Franklin Edward, Harry Ellsworth and Mary Ellen. Mrs. Kreek's
father was John F. Jackson, and her mother was formerly Nancy Can-
non. Mr. Kreek was treasurer of Holt County in 1879-80, and has
been a member of the city council for many years. He is a Republi-
can in politics and religiously is a Methodist. John A. Kreek is a
partner in the store of Kreek & Watson, and is a young man well edu-
cated in business life. By experience, courteous manners, and honor-
able dealing has built up a very desirable trade.
KREEK & WATSON,
dealers in general merchandise. This firm is composed of J. A. Kreek
and Jonas Watson. The former was born in Union, Fayette County,
Pennsylvania, January 5, 1852. His father, T. I. Kreek, was a native of
Maryland, and his mother, whose maiden name was E. S. Jackson, was
born in Fayette County, Pennsylvania. They moved west in the fall of
1862, and settled at Oregon, Holt County, Missouri, where John A. was
reared to manhood. After receiving a preparatory education in the
schools of the place, he entered college at Springfield, Ohio. The elder
Kreek was engaged in merchandising, and John was brought up to learn
that business. After completing his education he clerked with his
father, and on January 1, 1878, his father then retired and turned the
business over to his son and Jonas Watson. They carry about the
heaviest stock of goods in town, and do a flourishing business. Mr. K.
is a young man of steady and industrious habits, and one that gives his
attention to his business. He plays first alto in the Oregon Cornet
Band. Jonas Watson, of this firm, is a son of Samuel and Ellen Wat-
son, who were pioneers of Holt County. He was born near Oregon,
May 14, 1846, and was reared to manhood on this frontier, receiving a
fair education, and spending his boyhood days on the farm until twelve
years of age. He then commenced to assist in his father's woolen fac-
OREGON AND FOREST CITY. 389
tory, where he worked until 1865, when he turned his attention to agri-
cultural pursuits. On the first of March, 1874, his father engaged in the
merchandise business with James A. Keeves, under the firm name of
Watson & Keeves. Jonas clerked in this store until October, 1877.
January 1, 1878, he became associated with J. A. Kreek, under their
present firm name. Mr. Watson is an excellent salesman, and holds the
respect of a large circle of friends. He has filled his present office of
public alderman for some three years. During the war he served in the
Enrolled Missouri Militia. He is a member of the Odd Fellows frater-
ternity, and has always taken an active part in furthering the interests
of the town. He was married November 6, 1870, to Miss Elizabeth
Schute, daughter of Herman Schute, who was an early settler of Holt
County. She was born and raised here. They have five children :
Jennie M., born November 27, 1871 ; Ida E., born October 19, 1874;
Cordelia, born April 13, 1876, and Jonas L., born August 4, 1881. Mrs.
W. is an active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of Oregon.
DANIEL KUNKEL, Sr.,
miller, manufacturer and inventor, was born in York County, Pennsyl-
vania, May 1, 18 1 5, and when ten years old his father moved to Richland
County, Ohio, where Daniel received his education. He was engaged
in chopping and clearing rough timbered land until his father had a farm
and improvements, when he bought a piece of land and made a small
start in life. In 1847, he sold out his farm and came to Holt County.
Observing that the settlers needed a grist mill, and finding good water
facilities where his mill now stands, he set about the task of erecting a
suitable structure, with that indomitable will which has characterized
his whole life. In September, 185 1, he had a mill ready for grinding.
People came from far and near. Business at once became brisk, even
beyond his most sanguine hopes, and in 1861, he added a fine engine
and set up machinery for carding wool. In 1865, needing better facili-
ties and more room, he made a large brick addition, filled it with
machinery for manufacturing cloth, and also added three run of burrs
and crushers, the mill having but one run at first. Mr. K., with the
assistance of his sons, has been doing a very successful and satisfactory
business, until now he has retired. In January, 1882, the four sons and
son-in-law bought the whole establishment. They all have been edu-
cated in the mill and factory, and are giving great satisfaction to their
customers. In 1864, Mr. K. invented a washing machine, which has
been a success, and a late improvement has placed it at the head of
these articles. The railroad men say that his car coupler is the one of
all others which is destined to come into use. He has also invented a
drill extractor, which is one of the most useful and valuable tools for
390 HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
miners in use. Few men have done more for the town and country than
Mr. K. He has been the architect of his own fortune, and by commenc-
ing poor, by diligence and economy he has accumulated a competency.
He married Miss Veronica Butler in 1836. Of this union six children
are living: Gideon, John E., Daniel, Margaret, Cornelius and Christo-
pher B. Mrs. K. died in September, 1852. He married for his second
wife, Miss Elizabeth Haner, in 1855. They have six children : Elizabeth
B.,. Albert, George W., Mary A., Lydia A. and Cordelia.
JOHN E. KUNKEL,
merchant, miller and woolen manufacturer, was born in Richland
County, Ohio, July 20, 1837, and came to this county, with his father, in
1847. He was brought up from boyhood in a mill, and has a perfect
understanding of the mill and factory. He accompanied his brother,
Gideon, to California, and after remaining ten months he returned and
has worked in the mill since that time. In 1882 he bought an inter-
est in the establishment, with his brothers, and, perhaps, there is none
of them as well qualified for every part of the business as he. He mar-
ried Miss Mary Haner, of Oregon, in 1864. She was born in Germany.
They have three children, Gideon, John Wesley and Rozina. Mr. K.
took, to rear, Mary Beam, when she was a small child, and has cared for
her until she is grown to be a young lady. Mr. K. is an excellent
mechanic and an intelligent gentleman, and. a man with his habits of
industry must and will succeed in life.
MICHAEL LEHMER,
physician, surgeon and druggist, was born in Somerset County, Pennsyl-
vania, February 13. 1823. His father, Jacob Lehmer, was a native of
Pennsylvania, and his wife, Barbara Lehmer, was from Virginia. Michael
accompanied his parents to Tuscarawas County, Ohio, in 1837. He spent
his boyhood days on the farm, and received a preparatory education in
the common schools. In 1846, he entered Wittenburg College, situated
at Springfield, Ohio, where he attended for some eighteen months, after
which he commenced the study of medicine with Doctor Winwood, of
Springfield, Ohio. He remained with that gentleman about one year,
then went to Boston, Massachusetts, and took his first course of lectures
in the fall of 1847, at the medical department of the Howard University,
called the Massachusetts Medical College. In the spring of 1848, he
returned to his old home in Ohio, and that summer studied medicine
under Doctor Selden. In the fall of 1848, he took a partial course at the
University Medical College of New York City, then entered Detmold's
Practical School of Medicine and Surgery, and graduated from there in
OREGON AND FOREST CITY. 39 1
the spring of 1850. Returning to his old home in Ohio, Dr. L. engaged
in the practice of his profession. He immigrated west in July, 185 1, and
settled at Oregon, Holt County, Missouri, where he resumed practice
until 1872. His health being poor, he discontinued all except the office
practice. In 1870, he opened a drug store, and has since continued
therein. He has a neat residence in the south part of town. His store
was burned in 1877, but he immediately erected a substantial brick and
opened a new stock of drugs, now having a large and complete stock.
Being a man of long experience in the business, he understands it thor-
oughly. The doctor was married in 1865, to Miss Susan C. Dumm, a
native of Monroe County, Ohio.
JUDGE SOLOMON LEHMER,
section 24, was born in Somerset County, Pennsylvania, in December,
1826, and early moved to Tuscarawas County, Ohio, with his father,
where he remained until grown. He received a good education and
followed farming at home, and for three years he studied medicine and
attended a course of lectures at the medical department of the Univer-
sity of New York City, under the celebrated Dr. Mott. As his prefer-
ences were for farming, he gave up the practice of medicine and has
now become one of the large and enterprising farmers of the county.
He came to this locality in 185 1, and after some eighteen months he
bought the farm which he has since occupied. This land and the coun-
try about it was an unoccupied, boundless prairie, but he has set out
forest trees, an orchard of 400 apple trees, with all kinds of other fruits
and a fine vineyard, built a beautiful residence and other buildings, and
has one of the best homes in this section. He, in company with his
brother, Jacob Lehmer, who is unmarried, owns 612 acres of land. Mr.
L. is a good farmer and one of the leading, enterprising citizens of the
county. He was elected county judge in 1866, and for six years served
as such to the great satisfaction of the county. He is a leading Repub-
lican and a Lutheran. In 185 1 he was married in Ohio to Miss Eliza-
beth Hill. She was born in Greenock, Scotland. They have four chil-
dren living : Helen, Agnes, Bessie, and George. Bayard Taylor, his
eldest son, died when twenty-four years of age.
CAPTAIN STEPHEN T. LUCAS,
grain and live stock dealer, was born in Bradford County, New York, on
the 19th of May, 1836. His father, Uriah Lucas, a native of York State,
was a farmer by occupation, and his mother, formerly Lucy H. Potter,
was from Pennsylvania. Stephen was reared to manhood at his birth-
place, spending his boyhood days on the farm and receiving an education
392 HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
in the neighborhood schools. He early learned the plasterers and brick-
layers trade, and in 1855 he immigrated to Clinton County, Iowa, where
he remained for two years. Then he moved to Rock Port, Atchison
County, Missouri, and after one year, came to Forest City in the spring
of i860. When the war broke out he was among the first to respond to
President Lincoln's call for troops. In July, 1861, he enlisted in Com-
pany E, Twenty-fifth Missouri Volunteer Infantry, as a private. The
regiment were taken prisoners at the battle of Lexington, and paroled,
after which they took part in the battle of Shiloh, and the Tennessee cam-
paign. At Nashville they were consolidated with Col. Biswell's Engineer-
ing Corps, as the First Missouri Engineers. Here the subject of this
sketch received the position of second lieutenant. His regiment assisted
in building the railroad from Nashville to Johnstonville, under Colonel
Flad, after which they joined General Sherman in the Atlanta campaign.
At Atlanta Mr. Lucas was promoted to first lieutenant, and at Savannah,
Georgia, he received a commission as captain of Company M, First
Missouri Engineers. They went through with Sherman, and after the
surrender of Johnston's army, marched through Richmond to Washing-
ton, and took part in the grand review. Then to Louisville, Kentucky,
and from there to St. Louis, where he was mustered out in July, 1865.
Captain Lucas had served some four years and six days, and had taken
part in many of the hardest fought battles of the war. He soon returned
to Forest City and went to work at his trade. In the fall of 1874 he was
elected sheriff of Holt County, and served two terms. In 1878 he turned
his attention to the stock and grain business at this point, in which he is
at present engaged. He owns a small farm of fifty-seven acres, adjoin-
ing the town, and also owns twenty-three lots, besides having a neat
residence in the city. He is a well respected citizen, and every worthy
cause receives his support. Captain Lucas was married on the 16th of
December, 1868, to Nancy C, daughter of Allen Wood, an old pioneer
of this county. She was born in Kentucky, but was principally raised
in Holt County, Missouri.
.GEORGE P. LUCKHARDT,
nurseryman and fine stock breeder, is a native of the Kingdom
of Prussia, Germany, January 17, 1826, and was the son of Gott-
fried and Mary Luckhardt, also natives of Germany. George remained
at his birth-place until he was seventeen, receiving his education in the
schools of the village. He was reared under the auspices of the German
Reformed Church, having for his pastor the renowed Peter Langhart.
He was first educated for a teacher, but when fifteen years of age went
into the government treasury department, where he continued for one
year. He then commenced to learn the watchmaker's trade, with his
OREGON AND FOREST CITY. 393
brother, and when seventeen he left home and traveled over Germany
for several years, working at his trade. In June, 1850, he crossed the
ocean, and landed at Baltimore, Maryland, from whence he went to Phil-
adelphia, and thence to Huntingdon, Pennsylvania, where he received a
good position. After remaining there one year he moved to Johnstown,
Pennsylvania, in 1851, and opened a jewelry store on his own account.
Four years after he came west and settled in Oregon, in November, 1855.
He here opened a jewelry store, and when the war broke out he was
appointed county treasurer, and in the fall of 1861 he was elected to that
office. He filled the position some two and a half years. Mr. L. next
opened a photograph gallery, but still carried on the jewelry business.
In 1865 he disposed of these branches of business and purchased 80 acres
of improved land, with a good brick residence upon it, adjoining the
town on the north. He here embarked in the nursery business, and
though there were but six fruit trees on the place when he bought it, he
now has 40 acres in orchard, besides all varieties of fruit peculiar to this
climate. His health being poor, Mr. L. concluded to abandon the nur-
sery business, and turn his attention to raising fine stock hogs. In the
spring of 1881 he imported some of the finest stock in the United States.
His Poland Chinas are registered at Indianapolis, Indiana, and he is tak-
ing great pains to keep none but the best stock. He was one of the first
aldermen of the city. He is a member of Oregon Lodge No. 139, A. F.
and A. M., in which he has filled the position of Master some two years.
He was formerly a member of the Odd Fellows Lodge. Mr. L. was mar-
ried November 2, 1852, to Miss Henrietta F. Von Luenen. She was a
native of the town of Luenen, Germany, which was named after her
father's family. She was born June 27, 1832. They have had twelve
children, eight of whom are now living: Mary H., born August 5, 1853;
(now Mrs. W. M. Hampshire, of Mound City,) Louis H., born September
18, 1857 ; Julia, born August 26, 1861 ; George, born December 9, 1863 ;
William, born August 26, 1865 ; Flora H., born July 23, 1868 ; Anna A.,
born September 9, 1869 ; Nellie, born December 27, 1875. Himself and
wife are active members of the Presbyterian Church, of Oregon, in which
he holds the position of elder. He formerly filled the position of Sab-
bath School superintendent, for fifteen successive years. In 1867, he
was a representative to the general assembly, held at Cincinnati, from
the upper Missouri Presbytery.
SAMUEL B. LUKENS,
dentist, was born in Harrison County, Ohio, March 9, 1826. His parents,
Moses and Elizabeth Lukens, were both natives of Ohio. Samuel spent
his boyhood days on the farm and received an education in the neigh-
borhood schools. When twenty-one years of age he commenced to learn
394 HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
the dentist's profession, at Mount Pleasant, Jefferson County, Ohio.
After studying for about one year he traveled for two years, and finally
located at Cadiz, Harrison County, Ohio, in 1850, and practiced there in
the same room for sixteen years. In the fall of 1866 he came west and
located at Gilead, Lewis County, Missouri, where he remained until 1871,
after which he came to Oregon. Here he has since continued in busi-
ness and now has neat rooms over Castal's shoe store. His long experi-
ence gives him a thorough knowledge of his profession, and that he under-
stands both the surgical and the mechanical part of it all will acknowl-
edge. Charles Lukens assists in the business and has obtained a com-
plete knowledge of it from his father. Mr. L. has a handsome residence
in the northeastern part of town. He is a member of the Odd Fellows'
fraternity. He was raised among the Quakers and still adheres to many
of the sterling principles taught by that sect. He was married, May 2,
1849, t° Miss D. J. Johnson, of Lynchburg, Virginia. She was a daughter
of Jonathan Johnson, who held the position of tobacco inspector of
Lynchburg for some thirty years. They have five children living :
Charles W., born December 28, 1856 ; Elizabeth, (now Mrs. James Myer,
of Holt County); Susan J., born December 2, 1861 ; Mary E., born Feb-
ruary 10, 1864; Jonathan J., born January 30, 1867. Mrs. L. was also
reared in the faith of the Quakers. He is an active member of the M.
E.'Church of Oregon, and was licensed to preach in October, 1879. His
eldest son, Charles, who is with him in business, studied for a lawyer
and was admitted to the bar on the 17th of June, 188 1, at the adjourned
term of court. He is a very promising young man. He was married
December 24, 1881, to Miss Alice Rayhill, of Pana, Christian County,
Illinois. She was born in Washington County, Indiana, in January, 1852.
He is a member of the M. E. Church.
WILLIAM LUNSFORD,
farmer and stock raiser, section 29, also an early settler of Holt County,
was born on the banks of the Cumberland River, in Wayne County,
Kentucky, October 17, 1819. His parents, Isam and Rhoda Lunsford>
were natives of North Carolina. They moved to Kentucky in an early
day, and when William was seven years of age they went to Morgan
County, Indiana. After remaining there seven years, in 1833 they came
to Crawford County, Missouri. William moved to Holt County in 1847
and settled where he now resides, in the heavy timber. He once wit-
nessed an Indian war-dance near his residence, in which one hundred
Indians took part. He kept a store and traded with the Indians, and
improved his farm in those early days. His farm now contains 169 acres
of well improved land, White Cloud, Kansas, being situated on the
opposite bank of the Missouri River. He also owns an improved farm
OREGON AND FOREST CITY. 395
of 200 acres, on section 19. He is a hard working, industrious citizen,
and holds the esteem of a large circle of friends. He has filled the posi-
tion of school trustee several years, road overseer, etc. He is an active
member of Burr Oak Grange, No. 1739, and fills the office of elector, and
was one of its charter members. Mr. L. was married in 1839 to Miss
Rachel L. Walker, a native of Alabama. They have seven children :
Mary A., born March 8, 1840, (widow of Elias E. Penny); Wesley J., born
August 20, 1842.; Drucilla E., born March 7, 1844, (now Mrs. John Tur-
ney, of this county); Robert H., born February 25, 1847; George C., born
December 17, 1852 ; John F., born December 14, 1856, and Isaac H.,
born February 19, 1862. Three are deceased. Mrs. Lunsford is a mem-
ber of Burr Oak Christian Church.
WESLEY J. LUNSFORD,
farmer and stock raiser, section 29, was born on the 20th of August,
1842, in Crawford County, Missouri, and is the second child of William
and Rachel L. (Walker) Lunsford, mention of whom is made elsewhere.
He accompanied his parents to Holt County in 1847, and was reared to
manhood on the frontier, receiving a common school education. Dur-
ing the civil war he took an active part and enlisted in Company D,
Fourteenth Kansas Cavalry, July 29, 1863. He served on the frontier
and filled the position of second-duty sergeant. At the close of the
war he returned to Holt County and has since given his attention to
agricultural pursuits. He owns a fine farm of 212 acres, 100 of which
is under cultivation, and upon it he has a good orchard, neat residence,
etc. He owns another farm of 300 acres in section 23. At present Mr.
Lunsford fills the office of school director. He was one of the charter
members of Burr Oak Grange, No. 1739, and filled the position of mas-
ter the two first terms, now filling the same position. He was married
on the 12th of March, 1863, to Miss Susan E. Boyd, daughter of Joshua
Boyd. She was born in Cooper County, Missouri, October 17, 1844.
They are both active members of Burr Oak Christian Church, in which
he fills the position of deacon.
J. FOSTER MARSHALL,
real estate dealer and loan agent, is a native of the city of Columbia,
South Carolina, and was born July 29, 1847. He was named after his
father, who was also a native of the same place. His mother's maiden
name was Elizabeth A. De Bruhl. She was of French origin, although
born in Columbia. Foster was principally raised at Abbeyville, about
one hundred and five miles north of Columbia, receiving a preparatory
education in the schools of that place. During the war he espoused the
396 HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
southern cause, and assisted in defending what he believed to be the
rights of his country. In the fall of 1864, when only seventeen years of
age, he enlisted in Trenholm's battalion of cavalry, under Wade Hamp-
ton, and served until the close of the war, filling the position of orderly
sergeant. The command was fighting Sherman continually from that
time to the close of the war. Mr. M.'s father had served in the Mexican
War as Captain of Company E, of the famous Palmetto Regiment. He
also took an active part in the late war, filling the position of colonel,
and was killed at the second battle of Manassas Junction, in 1862. At
the close of the war, Foster returned to the home of his childhood, and
in January, 1867, entered the University of South Carolina, situated at
Columbia, from which institution he was graduated in 1868. He then
went to Ocala, Florida, and was engaged in the cultivation of cotton, he
owning a large cotton plantation on the famous Silver Run, where De
Soto claimed old age could be restored to youth by bathing in its waters.
In 1871, Mr. M. returned to the place of his nativity, and soon after-
wards immigrated westward, arriving in Kansas City, Missouri, on the
29th of May of the same year. He soon engaged in civil engineering
on the Kansas City, Memphis and Mobile Railroad, and assisted in build-
ing this road. In July, 1872, he settled at St. Joseph, where he remained
for one year, and in 1873, he became located at Phelps, Atchison County,
Missouri, where he formed a partnership with J. W. Osborn in the real
estate and brokerage business under the firm name of Osborn & Marshall.
They moved their principal place of business to Mound City in the fall
of 1875, and continued the business until the spring of 1878, when they
dissolved, and Mr. Marshall resumed the calling on his own account,
with headquarters at Oregon, and a branch office at Mound City. He
carries on a flourishing business, and has the respect of many acquaint-
ances. He is no office seeker, but gives his attention strictly to his
legitimate business. Politically he is a Democrat. His father was
elected to the State Senate of South Carolina when twenty-five years of
age, and filled the position for some fifteen years.
MICHAEL MAY,
farmer and stock raiser, section 27. The subject of this sketch was born
in Montgomery County, Indiana, March 14, 1830. His parents, John and
Martha May, were both old citizens of that place. He accompanied
them to Greene County, Missouri, when nearly nine years of age, and
about this time his father died. After remaining some years his mother
and her family moved to Lamar County, Texas, and after one year they
returned to Jackson County, Missouri, and then came to Holt County in
the fall of 1843. They settled at Iowa Point, on the Missouri side,
raised one crop of corn after the high water had subsided in 1844, and
OREGON AND FOREST CITY. 397
then sold out and moved to where Mr. M. now resides. The country-
was a wilderness and abounded in game. Hog and hominy was the
principal diet, and it was very difficult to get grinding done. In 1861
he took a trip across the plains to Washington Territory and Oregon,
and after spending some three years on the coast he returned by way
of the Isthmus and New York City to Holt County, Missouri. He
soon purchased his old farm, and has since remained upon it. He
now owns 273 acres of fine bottom land, which is well improved,
most of it being under cultivation. A handsome residence and a
small orchard adorn the place. He has filled the position of school
trustee, and was formerly a member of the Grange, his wife still
holding her membership. Mr. May has been three times married :
First, in 1854, to Olive Currier, a native of Wisconsin, who died in
the spring of 1861. They had three children : Frances E., born, Jan-
uary 8, 1857, now Mrs. James Harris, of this county ; Warren, born
December 27, 1858, and Jane, born October 26, i860. He married again
in 1864 to Sarah Pilkerton, a native of Missouri. She died in March,
1868. By this union there was one child, Flora A., born November 20,
1866. He married his present wife, Nancy Nolan, a native of Jackson
County, Missouri, September 30, 1869. She was born March 12, 1833.
They have two children : George, born February 11, 1872, and John E.,
born January 17, 1874. Mrs. May is a member of the Christian Church,
of Forest City.
HENRY MINTON,
farmer and stock raiser, section 8, is a prominent pioneer of Holt County.
He was born in Wayne County, Kentucky, March 14, 1822, and was the
son of Isaac and Ruth (Blevins) Minton, both natives of Kentucky.
Henry was the fourth child in a family of eight children. He accom-
panied his parents to Tennessee when five years of age, and there his
father died and his mother moved to Franklin County, Missouri, in 1835 ■
Henry was reared to manhood in that locality, on the farm, receiving a
common school education. In 1846 he volunteered in Jack Hayes' regi-
ment of Texas Rangers, and assisted in the Mexican war. His company,
with several others, was left to guard the Texas frontier. In 1848 he
returned to Franklin County, arriving August of that year ; then made a
trip to Holt County. He went back to Franklin County, with the inten-
tion of moving to Holt in the spring, but taking the California gold
fever in the spring of 1849, ne crossed the plains to the land of gold.
He was six months and four days on the way. He remained there until
the fall of 185 1, engaged in working in the gold mines, and returned by
the Isthmus of Panama, Cuba and New Orleans. In the spring of 1852
he came to Holt County and settled in this township. An elder brother,
his mother and sisiter accompanied him. The county was then an
398 HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
unbroken wilderness, but since that time he has been engaged in agri-
cultural pursuits. He owns at present 1,600 acres of fine bottom land,
and on the home farm there are some 400 acres under cultivation. He
has a good brick residence, and an orchard of some 250 bearing trees.
This is one of the finest stock farms in the county. During the civil
war Mr. M. enlisted in the Fourteenth Kansas Cavalry, and served some
time, filling the position of second lieutenant. He was taken sick and
left in the hospital at Camden Point, Arkansas, in April, 1864, and while
there he fell into the hands of the rebels. After he had recovered, he
was taken to Tyler, Texas, and kept until February, 1865. He was then
exchanged at New Orleans, obtained thirty days' furlough, visited his
family, and joined his regiment again at Pine Bluffs. They went to the
Cherokee Nation, where they were finally discharged. Politically, he is
an old-time Democrat. He is a member of the Ancient Odd Fellows.
Mr. Minton was married December 15th, 1852, to Mrs. Lucretia A.
Jeffries, whose maiden name was Lucretia Boyd, daughter of J. C. Boyd,
an old pioneer of Holt County. She was born in Cooper County, Mis-
souri, January 10th, 1837. They have had ten children, nine of whom
are living. Joseph L., born November 23, 1853 ; Isaac M.,born February
23, 1856; William E., born March 1, 1858; John R., born September 30,
i860; Martha J., born February 18, 1864; George H., born September
23, 1866; Ida L., born December 8, 1872 ; Lucretia B., born September
9, 1876 ; David H., born January 20, 1881. Himself and wife are mem-
bers of the Christian Church of Burr Oak, in which he holds the posi-
tion of elder.
MINTON BROTHERS,
dealers in general merchandise, are among the enterprising business
firms of Holt County. W. E. Minton, a member of this firm, was born in
Holt County, Missouri, March 1, 1858. His father, Henry Minton, was
one of the pioneers of this county. He was a native of Tennessee. Mrs.
Minton's maiden name was Lucretia Boyd, a native of Cooper County,
Missouri. William was reared to manhood at his birthplace, spending
his boyhood days on the farm and receiving a preparatory education in
the common school. In 1876 he commenced to attend the State Normal
School, at Kirksville, Missouri, and, after a course of two years there, he
entered the State University, at Columbia, in 1878, and graduated from
the normal department. On March ich 188 i, he commenced the mer-
cantile business at Forest City, in partnership with two brothers. They
are located on Commercial Street and carry a large and complete stock,
and do a flourishing business. William has the principal care of the
business. In his manners he is much of a gentleman and is an excellent
salesman. Having been raised in the county he is well known by all.
OREGON AND FOREST CITY. 399
•
He is an active member of Forest City Lodge, No. 214, A. F. and A. M.
He was married October 13, 188 1, to Miss Minnie Dyer, a niece of Pat
Dyer, of St. Louis. She was born in Warren County, Missouri, in Novem-
ber, 1859. She was principally raised and educated in St. Louis, by her
uncle. She is a member of the M. E. Church.
ROBERT MONTGOMERY,
of the firm of Montgomery & Roecker, bankers, was born on the 9th of
August, 1837, in Bangor, Ireland. His parents, Hugh and Agnes Mont-
gomery, were both natives of Ireland, and when seventeen years of age
Robert crossed the ocean, landing at New York City, June 13, 1854. He
soon became engaged as clerk in a wholesale house, and in December,
1854, he moved to Jackson County, Ohio, where he remained until i860,
making his home with an uncle, and attending school some two years-
He then resumed the duties of a clerk at the Latrobe iron furnace, and in
i860, he located in Greenup County, Kentucky. One year later he
returned to Ohio, and again engaged as clerk at the Keystone furnace.
After remaining there some four months, in August, 1861, he volunteered
in the Union army. He went to Greenup, Kentucky, where he assisted
in recruiting Company C, Twenty-second Kentucky Volunteer Infantry,
and held the position of second lieutenant. After serving some eighteen
months, he accepted a position as Aid-de-camp, on General George W.
Morgan's staff. In June, 1863, General Morgan resigned ; the subject of
this sketch also resigned, and accepted the position of sutler of the First
Ohio Heavy Artillery, with which he continued until February, 1865.
During his term of service he took part in the battles of Pond Gap, under
General Garfield, at the taking of Cumberland Gap, in 1862, under Gen-
eral Morgan, the battle of Yazoo Bluffs, in the rear of Vicksburg, under
General Sherman, then under General McClellan, of Illinois, -at the cap-
ture of Arkansas Post, and back to Vicksburg, where Morgan resigned.
In 1862, while they held Cumberland Gap, Mr. Montgomery, with a force
of men, went to Barboursville, Kentucky, and paroled some four hundred
prisoners. In February, 1865, he became a clerk at the Berkley iron
furnace, where he remained for some nine months. On the 14th of
November, 1865, he married Miss Frances S. White, daughter of Hiram
W. White, of Olney, Richland County, Illinois. She was born in Jack-
son County, Ohio, March 28, 1841. They subsequently traveled one
year in the west, then returned to Jackson County, Ohio, in the spring
of 1866, where he was employed as clerk with the Lincoln iron furnace
company. In April, 1870, he moved to Olney, Illinois, and in June, 1871,
he immigrated westward, and settled in Oregon, Holt County, Missouri,
where he purchased the interest of James Scott, in the banking business.
This business was conducted under the firm name of R. Montgomery &
40O HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
•
Co., until January i, 1872, when Levi Zook became associated with them,
forming the firm of Zook & Montgomery. In January, 1875, Mr. Zook
retired, and M. S. Norman became a member ; the name of the firm then
becoming Montgomery & Norman. January 15, 1877, Mr. Roecker pur-
chased Mr. Norman's interest, and the firm name was changed to Mont-
gomery & Roecker. This bank does a flourishing business, and is on a
solid basis. Mr. Montgomery is an active member of Oregon Lodge
No. 139, A. F. and A. M., in which he has filled the position of Master
for about three years. He also belongs to Keystone Chapter, No. 46, of j
Mound City. Himself and wife are both active members of the Presby-
terian Church, of Oregon, in which he fills the position of elder and
Sabbath School superintendent. They have one child, Hiram W., born
July 14, 1868.
SAMUEL W. MORRISON,
county collector, was born March 7, 1843, in Lancaster County, Pennsyl-
vania, and was the son of Alexander W. and Margaret Morrison, who
were natives of the same state. Samuel was reared to manhood at his
birthplace, spending his boyhood days on the farm and receiving an
education in the neighborhood schools. During the war he served in
the state militia of Pennsylvania when the state was invaded. In Feb-
ruary, 1869, he moved westward and settled in Holt County on a farm.
In 1870, he moved to Atchison County, and remained one year, and in
1871, he was made deputy county clerk of Holt County. In 1872, he
became deputy county collector, and filled the position until the fall of
1876, when he was elected county collector for a two years' term. He
was re-elected in the fall of 1881, and at present fills the office,, discharg-
ing his duties with scrupulous care and fidelity. He is an active mem-
ber of Oregon Lodge No. 139, A. F. and A. M., in which he at present
holds the office of junior warden. He was formerly a member of the
Grand Army of the Republic. Politically he is a staunch Republican,
and is a public spirited and enterprising citizen. Mr. Morrison was
married March 28, 1877, to Miss Flora Hahn, daughter of Richard Hahn,
an old pioneer of Holt County. She was born and raised here. They
have two children: Blanche, born January 9, 1878, and Kate R., born
March 22, 1881. They are members of the Presbyterian Church of
Oregon.
JAMES B PAYNE,
proprietor of stave and heading factory. The subject of this sketch
was born in Boone County, Missouri, June 3, 1834. His father, Ballin-
ger Payne, was a native of Kentucky, and his mother, formerly Mary
Hobbs, was born in Virginia. They moved to Missouri in an early day.
OREGON AND FOREST CITY. 401
James passed his youthful days on the farm and received his education
in the neighborhood schools. He accompanied his parents to Holt
County in the fall of 1849, an<^ nere he remained until 1858, when he
moved to Doniphan County, Kansas. He was engaged in farming up
to 1864, when he commenced the general merchandise business at
Lafayette, Kansas. This he followed some seven years. Returning to
Holt County in the fall of 187 1, he located at Oregon, where he con-
tinued the mercantile business until 1878, then purchasing the stave and
heading factory in the spring of 1877. It is fitted up with a complete
set of machinery and does superior work, being capable of turning out
some two car loads of work per week. Mr. Payne owns some 900 acres
of land in Holt County, most of which is improved. He owns his resi-
dence property in Oregon, the grounds surrounding which are decorated
with evergreens and are the handsomest in the city. During the late
war he served in the Kansas Militia and assisted in driving Price out of
Missouri in 1864. He is a member of Oregon Lodge, No. 139, A.
F. & A. M. Mr. Payne was married on the 27th of April, 1853,
to Miss Mary E. Reed, daughter of Andrew J. Reed, of this county.
She is a native of Johnson County, Missouri, and was born on the 30th
of December, 1838. They have been blessed with nine children, eight
of whom are living: Andrew B., born February 13, 1854; Emily J.,
born August 12, 1856, (now Mrs. Byron Edmonds, of this county); Min-
nie C, born November 28, 1858, (wife of Rev. P. M. Best, of Sidney,
Iowa); Mary E., born April 11, 1861 ; James W., born March 15, 1864;
David, deceased; Eva, born September 6, 1869; Johnnie E., born May
15, 1876, and Laura A., born July 13, 1881. Mr. P. and his wife are
active members of the Christian Church of Oregon. .
HUGH PENNEL,
farmer, stock raiser and fruit grower, is the owner of 350 acres of land,
his residence being in section 25. Mr. P. was born in Wayne County,
Ohio, February 1, 1821. His opportunities for attending school in youth
were limited. In April, 1842, he came to Holt County and made a
claim, where he now lives, and when the land came into market he
entered it. He has made his farm, two miles east of Oregon, one of the
finest of the township. He was among the early pioneers of the county,
and for ten years he experienced many hardships and was deprived of
many comforts. In 1842 he assisted to raise the first building in
Oregon, which was a log store, built by William Zook, who had about
$800 capital to purchase goods. Mr. P. has a valuable orchard, with all
kinds of fruit, and in 1868 he built his fine brick residence. His father,
William D. Pennel, came here in the spring of 1843, and took the claim
one-half mile west of his son, where he made a fine farm. In 185 1 he
£6
402 HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
died. His wife died in Ohio in 1838. They left seven children, of
which Hugh was the second. Hugh Pennel was married in Holt County
to Miss Hannah Beeler, September 18, 1856. They have by this happy
union four children living: John, William, Jennie and Cora Belle.
Elizabeth died when eight years old, and Mary died at the age of six
years. Mr. P. is an active Republican. He and his estimable com-
panion are zealous members of the Presbyterian Church. Mrs. P.'s
father was Israel D. Beeler. Her grandmother was formerly Hannah
Drybread, and her grandfather Thomas Beeler.
IRA PETER,
dealer in general merchandise, was born in Washington County, Ken-
tucky, April 1, 1836. His parents, Richard and Lucy Peter, were both
natives of Kentucky. Ira spent his boyhood days on the farm and
received his education in the neighborhood schools. He, with his father,
came overland, in a buggy, in the fall of 1852, and settled in Oregon, and
here he became engaged as clerk in a drug store. After remaining in
the drug business some five years, in the spring of 1857, ne embarked in
general merchandising. In 1861 he opened a drug store, which he car-
ried on until 1869. He then resumed the general merchandise business,
in company with M. S. Norman, with whom he continued till 1875, when
he purchased Mr. Norman's interest. Mr. Peter now carries one of the
largest stocks of goods in town, and does a flourishing business. He
came here when the town was a mere village and has taken an active
part in furthering its interests, always having been an open-hearted and
public-spirited citizen. During the war he served in the Enrolled Mis-
souri Militia. Politically he is a Democrat. Mr. P. has been twice mar-
ried ; first, in 1861, to Miss Susan Owsley, a native of Andrew County,
Missouri. She died March 1, 1870, leaving four children : Charlie, born
January 23, 1862 ; Bryant, born August 6, 1863 ; Frank, born September
16, 1865 ; Mary, born February 18, 1870. He was married again Octo-
ber 2$, 1873, to Miss Betty Price, a native of Page County, Virginia.
They have one child, Lucy, born August 14, 1876. Himself and wife are
both active members of the Presbyterian Church of Oregon, in which he
fills the position of deacon.
THOMAS L. PRICE,
dealer in hardware and agricultural implements, was born August 8,
1853, in Page County, Virginia, near Blue Ridge, where the famous gave
has lately been discovered. His father, Peter Price, was born in 1798 in
Virginia, and his mother, Mary Keyser, was also a native of that state.
She is now some seventy-two years of age and she and her husband
OREGON AND FOREST CITY. 403
are both residents of Oregon at present. The parents of Thomas
moved west, settling in Oregon in 1855, and he was reared to manhood
on the frontier and received his education in the schools of this place.
In October, 1875, he commenced clerking with his brother-in-law, Mr.
Ira Peter, with whom he remained four years, after which he engaged
in dealing in clothing and gents furnishing goods in partnership with B.
B. Frazer, of St. Joseph. After continuing the business one year at Ore-
gon, they moved to Watson, where they remained one year. Mr. P.
returned to Oregon in December, 1881, and in February, 1882, he
opened a stock of hardware and agricultural implements at this point,
the only house in this line in town. He is an enterprising young man,
and, having been raised in the county, is well and favorably known. He
is a member of the A. O. U. W. Lodge, No. 196, of Oregon. Mr. Price
was married October 20, 1879, to Miss Sedora Wilson, a native of Indiana.
She was born on the 14th of December, 1858. She is an active member
of the Presbyterian Church of Oregon.
JOHN PROUD,
farmer, section 13, was born in Ross County, Ohio, in 1807. He was
raised a farmer, and at that early day his school advantages were limited-
He married Miss Sarah H. King, in Fayette County, Ohio, in 1830.
She was born in Ross County, Ohio, March 24, 18 12. They had ten
children : Bennett Colvin, born in 1831, died in 1853 ; William J., born
in 1833, died in 1845 ; Timothy H., born in 1836 ; David K., born in 1838;
Rachael A., born in 1841, died in 1862 ; Samuel W., born in 1844 ; Clark
O., born in 1847 ; Laura R., born in 1849, died in 1864'; Elizabeth A.,
born in 1852; Luella L., born in 1855. At her death Rachael Ann left
her husband and three children. David K. enlisted in September, 1861,
in the Thirty-fourth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and died at Camp Nel-
son, Kentucky, of typhoid fever, in March, 1862. In 1849, Mr. and Mrs.
Proud moved to Howard County, Indiana, where they improved a heavy
timbered farm, and made a fine home. In 1864, they sold out and moved
to Holt County, Missouri, and here he bought a farm, on which he has
made excellent improvements. This contains 130 acres, and now in his
old age, he has a good, comfortable home, with all the comforts that he
can desire. He took William H. Snow, when he was three years old, to
bring up. He is now of age, and is a worthy and industrious young
man, and is working the farm of Mr. P. Mr. Snow was born in Decatur,
in 1 86 1, and with his parents came to Holt County, where his mother
died, leaving three children. To relieve Mr. and Mrs. Proud still further
from care, they have for many years had Miss Louisa Mingers, from
Athens, Ohio, who lives with them and takes full charge of the house-
work. She is a good housekeeper, and an excellent companion. Mrs.
404 HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
P.'s father, John King, was born in Virginia, and was an able minis-
ter in the M. E. Church. Mr. Proud is a Republican in politics, and a
Methodist in religious preferences.
CLARK O. PROUD,
of the firm of King & Proud, druggists and stationers, was born near
Kokomo, Howard County, Indiana, November 28, 1847, and was the son
of John and Sarah Proud, who were natives of Ohio. Clark spent his
boyhood days on the farm, and attended the neighborhood schools. He
accompanied his parents west in March, 1864, they settling some three
miles north of Oregon. Mr. Proud served for some time in the Enrolled
Missouri Militia. He attended school in Oregon, and in 1867, com-
menced teaching, which profession he continued for some eight years.
In 1875 ne went to Atchison County, where he remained, following his
calling, for about two years. In the fall of 1877, he came to Oregon and
purchased the interest of Levi Owens in the drug store, and entered into
partnership with Dr. King, under the firm name of King & Proud, they
enjoying a liberal share of the patronage of the residents of this city,
and deserve their success. In 1881 Mr. Proud filled an unexpired term
as mayor of Oregon. He has also filled the position of councilman.
He was married August 31, 1867, to Miss Rebecca Curtis, daughter of
James Curtis, Sr., late of this county. She was born and raised here.
They have two children, Willard C, born June 28, 1873 ; Effie, born Sep-
tember 1, 1877. Mrs. Proud is a member of the Christian Church of
Oregon.
JACOB QUICK,
farmer and stock raiser, section 22, was born on the 22d of June, 1837, in
Callaway County, Missouri. His father, Thomas Quick, was a native of
Kentucky, and his mother, whose maiden name was Rachel Johnson,
was from North Carolina. Jacob was the fifth in a family of eight chil-
dren. He spent his boyhood days on the farm, and has given his atten-
tion to agricultural pursuits through life. In August, 1850, he came to
Holt County, with his parents, his father taking up a claim in section 26.
During the war Jacob Quick espoused the Union cause, and enlisted in
Company K, Fourteenth Kansas Cavalry, on the 19th of September,
1863. He served under Gen. Steel, on the frontier. He has filled the
offices of school director and road overseer three years each, and is well
acquainted all over the county. He owns 335 acresof fine bottom land,
160 acres of which is under cultivation. He has a handsome residence,
a fine orchard of 100 trees, and his farm is well stocked. Mr. Quick was
married February 14, 1867, to Miss Jane Cunningham, daughter of Isaac
Cunningham, of this county. She was born in Edgar County, Illinois,
OREGON AND FOREST CITY. 405
March 27, 1848. They have had eight children, seven of whom are liv-
ing : Rachel M., born November 1 1, 1867 ; George W., born June 14, 1869 ;
Becky A., born December 31, 1871 ; Florence T., born December 12,
1872; Hattie E., born January 5, 1874; Samuel J., born September 16,
1876; Lucy, born September 23, 1878.
GEORGE W. QUICK,
farmer and stock raiser, section 22, the sixth child in a family of eight,
was born September 1, 1841, in Callaway County, Missouri, and is the
son of Thomas and Rachel (Johnson) Quick. The former was born in
Kentucky, and the latter was a native of North Carolina. George
accompanied his parents to Holt County, Missouri, in the fall of 1850.
The country was then a vast wilderness, and inhabited by roving bands
of Indians and wild game. It was in a log cabin on this frontier that
the subject of this sketch was reared to manhood, his education being
obtained in a log school house with a dirt floor. This school building
was erected in about 1850, and was on the edge of Forbes Township.
Chade Colcher was his first teacher. About the time George arrived at
maturity the civil war broke out, and he enlisted in Company K, Four-
teenth Kansas Cavalry, on the 19th of September, 1863, and served on
the frontier. He took a trip to White County, Illinois, in 1864, thence
through Iowa, and back to Holt County in the fall of 1865. Since then
he has given his attention to agricultural pursuits. He owns 940 acres
of fine bottom land, about 600 acres of which are under cultivation, there
being upon it a good dwelling and a fair orchard of 150 trees. He has
two thoroughbred Norman French horses, and other graded stock. Mr.
Q. was married April 4, 1866, to Miss Flora Edwards, daughter of Thomas
Edwards, of this county. She was born, in Greene County, Georgia,
October 12, 1849. By this union they have had eight children, seven of
whom are living ; James T., born February 13, 1867 ; William J., born
October «i8, 1868 ; Afton L., born October 18, 1870 ; Moses A., born
February 27, 1873 ; Byron W., born April 17, 1875 ; Claude, born March
25, 1877, and George W., born November 9, 188 1. Himself and wife are
active members of the Christian Church. Mr. Q. is gifted with a reten-
tive memory, and relates many anecdotes of his early trials here.
CAPTAIN ALBERT ROECKER,
of the firm of Montgomery & Roecker, bankers, was born in the town of
Leonberg, Wurtemburg, Germany, on the 9th of November, 1840. His
parents, Frederick and Katherine Roecker, were also natives of that
place. Albert lived there until eighteen years of age, receiving the
benefits of a common education. He also learned the painter's trade.
406 HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
In July, 1859, he crossed the ocean, landing at New York on the 18th of
September, of that year. There he engaged in working at his trade,
and there he remained until July, i860, when he moved westward and
settled at Forest City, Holt County, Missouri, assisting his brother-in-
law in the brewery until February, 1862. Mr. R. then enlisted as a pri-
vate in Company B, Fourth Cavalry, Missouri State Militia, and served
in Southern Missouri and Northern Arkansas, participating in all the
important engagements of the campaign. He assisted in driving Price
from Missouri in 1864, and took part in the battles of California, Browns-
ville, Little Blue, in Jackson County, and Marias des Cygne, Kansas,
where they captured General Marmadukeand several hundred prisoners,
and some pieces of artillery. The subject of this sketch was subse-
quently promoted to captain, filling every office, except that of second
lieutenant. His company was mustered out in March, 1865, but he was
retained and put in command of Company A. The staff officers were
all mustered out, and he had full command. He was mustered out in
July, 1865. At the battle of Little Blue, Mr. R. was acting adjutant
under Major Kelly, his real position being first lieutenant under Captain
Blair, who was killed in this battle. At the close of the war he returned
to Forest City, and was again engaged with his brother-in-law in the
brewery until July, 1866. In the fall of that year, he was elected sheriff
and collector of Holt County, and was re-elected in 1868. In 1870, he
was elected county clerk, and served one term of four years. In Febru-
ary, 1875, he crossed the ocean and visited the home of his childhood,
but later returned to Oregon. In January, 1877, Captain R. became
associated with R. Montgomery in the banking business, under the
present firm name of Montgomery & Roecker. He is an active member
of Forest City Lodge No. 214, A. F. and A. M., also of Keystone Chap-
ter No. 46, of Mound City. He was married the 7th of February, 1867,
to Miss Elizabeth Weber, who was born in Wheeling, West Virginia.
She is the daughter of A. Weber, of Atchison County. They have been
blessed with six children : Louisa, born May 18, 1868 ; Emma, born
April 21, 1870; Annie, born March 26, 1872; Frederick, born May 24,
1874; Charles, born June 30, 1876; Frank, born February 18, 1880.
Himself and wife are members of the Lutheran Church.
CHRISTOPHER SCHLOTZHAUER,
farmer and miller, section 10, is one among the pioneers of Northwest-
ern Missouri. His parents, Rudolph and Christiana, were both natives
of Germany. Christopher was born on the 12th of April, 1828, in that
country. He crossed the ocean with his father and mother about 1835,
and landed at New Orleans. After remaining some two years in Louisi-
ana, they came by steamboat to St. Louis and thence to Boonville,
OREGON AND FOREST CITY. 407
Cooper County, Missouri ; thence where the subject of this sketch was
reared to manhood, spending his boyhood days on the farm and receiv-
ing fair educational advantages. He helped clear two farms in that
densely wooded locality, and when seventeen he commenced to learn
the carpenter trade, which he followed for several years. In 1852 he
moved to Atchison County, Missouri, and settled at Irish Grove, con-
tinuing to live in that neighborhood engaged in farming for twelve
years. He also operated a saw-mill two years. In the spring of 1864,
he came to Holt County and settled where he now resides. He has
since been engaged in agricultural pursuits and at present owns 160
acres of well improved land. His farm is well watered by two never
failing springs and a branch. Curzon Station, on the Kansas City, St.
Joseph & Council Bluffs Railroad, is only a short distance from his resi-
dence. In May, 188 1, Mr. S. purchased the steam saw-mill located at
that point. This mill does as much business as any in the county, is
complete in its appointments, and when crowded is capable of cutting
ten thousand feet per day. Mr. S. is a very enterprising and energetic
citizen. Politically he is an Independent Republican and formerly
voted the old Whig ticket. He was.married on the 9th of April, 1848,
to Miss Dorathy Snider, daughter of John P. Snider. She is also a
native of Germany, and was born on the second of January, 1843. She
was brought across the ocean when about one year of age. They
have had eight children, six of whom are living : Sarah E., born Jan-
uary 24, 1849, (now Mrs. Jacob Mart, of Oregon, Missouri); Rudolph,
born November 13, 1850 ; Philip, born March 30, 1856 ; John, born
October 8, 1858; Christopher, born September 13, 1862 ; Julia A., born
July 3, 1865. Himself and wife are active members of the German M.
E. Church. He has filled the position of a local preacher in this church
for some twenty-five years.
RUDOLPH SCHLOTZHAUER
was born in Cooper County, Missouri, in 1850, and in 1866 came to
Oregon. After attending school for some time, he entered the Sentinel
office in Oregon, and learned the printing business, at which he worked
for ten years. He married Miss Elizabeth B. A. Kunkel in 1876. She
was the daughter of Daniel Kunkel, Esq., of this city. They have two
children, Ina Alberta and Morton Virner. In 1878, Mr. Schlotzhauer
abandoned the printing business and entered the mill and factory of
Daniel Kunkel, with whom he has since remained. In the winter of
1882, Mr. Kunkel sold the mill and factory to three of his sons and the
subject of this sketch. They are doing an excellent business, obtaining
large quantities of wheat, and manufacturing fine brands of flour. Many
of the neighboring towns are supplied by them. Mr. S. is an industrious
man, and has hosts of friends.
408 HISTORY OF HOlT COUNTY.
JAMES SCOTT
is prominent among the early settlers of Holt County. He is a native
of Washington County, Virginia, where he was born October 26, 1821.
His parents, Robert and Eleanor D. Scott,' were both natives of Virginia.
James passed his youthful days on the farm and attended the neighbor-
hood schools. He accompanied his parents to Fountain County, Indiana,
;n 1834, but his father died, in 1838, and the care of the family fell upon
James. In the fall of 1840 they moved to Cole County, Missouri, and
settled near Stringtown, twelve miles from Jefferson City. In March,
1842, they came to Holt County, locating on a farm four miles north of
Oregon, where they pre-empted a piece of wild land, and commenced to
improve a farm. The county was almost totally uninhabited, save by
Indians, and many were the hardships endured by those who first sought
homes on the frontier. On the 15th of March, 1855, Mr. Scott married
Miss Sophronia A. Johnson, a native of Morgan County, Missouri, and a
daughter of Richard and Mary Johnson. She was born May 5, 1838.
Her parents both died when she was about seven years of age, and she
was adopted and raised by James Miller, one of the early pioneers of
Holt County. Mr. Scott and his wife soon settled on a farm of their
own, some three miles north of Oregon. In 1846 Mr. S. was elected
county assessor of Holt County, and filled the office four terms. In the
fall of 1859 he was elected county clerk, moved to Oregon and served
in this office until compelled to retire by the convention ordinance, in
1864, which threw out all of the officers of the state. He then became
engaged in the real estate business, which he continued until 1867, when
he entered into the banking business with Levi Zook. They opened the
first private bank in Oregon, under the firm name of Zook & Scott, but,
in 1871, the latter member retired from the business on account of ill-
health. In 1873 he moved on a farm, three miles east of Oregon, where
he lived until the fall of 1880, when he returned to Oregon and engaged
in dealing in real estate and loaning money. He purchased a handsome,
residence, in the western part of the town, and has made it one oi the
best in the city. During the war Mr. S. remained a strong Union man.
Politically he is a Democrat. Himself and wife are active members of
the Presbyterian Church of Oregon, with which denomination they have
worshipped since 1864. Mr. S. has filled the position of elder several
years and is an active Christian worker. His mother is living with him
now, and, though seventy-nine years of age, is still in the enjoyment of
good health. She is one of the oldest pioneers now living in Holt County.
HENRY SHUTTS,
attorney and counselor at law. Prominent among the rising young
attorneys of Northwest Missouri, is the subjectjof this sketch. He was
OREGON AND FOREST CITY. 409
born in Columbia County, New York, December 29, 1843, and is the son
of John and Catharine (Cole) Shutts, both natives of York State. His
parents early moved to Ulster County, New York, and settled near
Kingston, and when Henry was thirteen, they moved westward, locating
at Joliet, Will County, Illinois. There he remained until twenty years
of age, having received a good academic education. In 1863 he took a
trip west, and spent one season in Colorado. On his way home he
stopped a short time in Atchison County, and finally became engaged
in teaching. Going next to Forest City, Holt County, he resumed
teaching, and also read law. In the spring of 1865, Mr. S. came to
Oregon, and read law with Dan Zook. He was admitted to the bar in
1865, by Judge William H. Herren, of the then Twelfth Judicial District
of Missouri, and since that date he has been a resident of Oregon. In
1866 he purchased the outfit of the old Missouri Valley Times, in part-
nership with Mr. Hasness. They started the Holt County Press, the
only Democratic organ in the county, and after continuing the business
one year, Mr. Shutts sold his interest to Mr. Irvine. He was elected
mayor of Oregon, in 1866, and filled the position two years, and was the
Democratic candidate for representative in 1867. He is a member of
the Masonic fraternity. Mr, Shutts was married in 1868, to Miss Tilly
Collins, daughter of S. C. Collins, an old settler of Oregon. She was
born here on the 15th of June, 1845. She is an active member of the
Presbyterian Church of Oregon.
LAWSON SIPES,
farmer and stock raiser, section 13. The subject of this sketch, an early
resident of the county, was born in Morgan County, Indiana, October
9, 1858, his parents, Daniel and Katie E. Sipes, being natives of Indiana.
They moved to Missouri in the fall of 1841, and took up a claim, where
Lawson now resides, built a log cabin and broke a small piece of ground.
It was on this frontier that young Sipes was reared to manhood, he assist-
ing in clearing the farm. He spent his spare moments in hunting, and
during the war he espoused the Union cause, and served in the Enrolled
Missouri Militia. He has ever been an enterprising citizen, always
adhering to principles of honesty, integrity and attention to business.
He owns a fine farm of 160 acres, upon which he has a new residence, a
good orchard of some 1,500 peach trees and 200 apple trees. Mr. Sipes
was married on the 20th of November, 1859, to Miss MelindaE. Hoffman.
She was born in Ray County, Missouri. They have been blessed with
eight children, Charles L., born October 24, 1862 ; Rebecca, born January
16, 1865 ; Richard D., born March 6, 1867 ; Mary E., born February 6,
1870 ; John R., born June 11, 1871 ; William L., born October 24, 1874;
Joseph H., born April 1, 1877 ; and Eddie F., born September 11, 1879.
4IO HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
SAMUEL STUCKEY,
proprietor of a livery and feed stable, also a pioneer of Holt County,
was born in Berkeley County, West Virginia, April 3, 1831. His parents,
Samuel and Hannah Stuckey, were both natives of Virginia. Samuel
was reared at his birthplace, on the farm, and derived his education
from the native schools. In 1852 he went to Champaign County, Ohio,
where he remained three years, after which, in 1855, ne moved to Iowa,
settling in Jefferson County. On the 14th of February, 1857, ne landed
in Oregon, Holt County, Missouri, where he worked at various occupa-
tions until i860. On the first of September, i860, Mr. S. married Miss
Virginia W. Russel, daughter of R. H. Russel, of Holt County. She was
born in this county, June 4, 1844. Soon after they settled on a farm in
Nodaway Township, on which Mr. S. remained until March, 1866. He
served one term as constable of that township, and in the spring of 1866
he took a trip to the home of his childhood. After visiting his parents
he returned in the fall of that year and settled in Oregon. He was sub-
sequently appointed constable of Lewis Township, and was marshal of
Oregon for three years, serving one year by appointment, and was
elected for two years, and in the spring of 1871 he was elected mayor
and justice of the peace of Oregon. He served in this capacity four
years, consecutively, then acted as deputy sheriff two years. In 1877 Mr.
S. was re-elected mayor of Oregon, and re-elected in 1878. In 1879 he
was appointed deputy sheriff, continuing to discharge the duties of that
office until April, 1880, when he commenced the livery business in
Oregon. He has one of the best livery outfits in the county, and is ever
found ready to attend to the wants of the traveling public. He also
runs a line of hacks to Forest City. Mr. Stuckey is a member of Oregon
Lodge, No. 54, I. O. O. F., of which he fills the office of Left Support.
Himself and wife are members of the Presbyterian Church, of Oregon,
in which he holds the position of deacon. They have raised two orphan
children : Hattie Adams (now Mrs. Samuel Simpson), and Miss Bertha
Bonnell, born on the 10th of August, 1869.
JOHN T. THATCHER,
physician and surgeon, was born in Lancaster, Schuyler County, Mis-
souri, August 22, 1850. His father, William S. Thatcher, was from Ken-
tucky, and by occupation was a merchant. His mother, formerly Miss
Martha J. Gates, was a native of Illinois. John remained at his birth-
place until twelve years of age, and in the spring of 1863, he accompa-
nied his parents to Council Bluffs, Iowa, where he remained until 1865,
thence to Plattsmouth, Nebraska, and in the spring of 1867, they moved
to Missouri City, Clay County, Missouri. Three months later Atchison,
OREGON AND FOREST CITY. 411
Kansas, became their home. In 1871, Mr. T. commenced the study of
medicine under G. H. T. Johnson, of that place. In the fall of 1872, he
attended a partial course of lectures at St. Louis, but on account of the
institution suspending operations, he went to Detroit, Michigan, and
attended the Detroit Homecepathic Medical College during the winters
of 1872-3, and 1874. He graduated on the 12th of February, 1874, after
which he returned to Atchison and entered into partnership with his
preceptor for six months. In January, 1875, he went to St. Louis, and
attended a partial course of lectures at the Missouri Medical College, an
allopathic school. Returning to Atchison, he opened an office on his
own account. In February, 1876, he embarked in the drug and book
business, but after one year he removed to St. Joseph, and took charge
of Dr. Hall's Homeoepatic Pharmacy. In November, 1877, he returned
to Atchison and opened an office, remaining in this place until the 22d
of April, 1878, when he came to Oregon. A partnership was effected
with Dr. J. A. Callen, under the firm name of Callen & Thatcher, but the
relation was dissolved on the 23d of May, 1879. Since then Dr. Thatcher
has continued the practice of his profession alone, in which he has been
very successful, being cheerful and attentive to the wants of the afflicted.
He is a member of Oregon Lodge No. 139, A. F. and A. M., in which he
holds the position of secretary. He also belongs to the A. O. U. W., of
Oregon, Lodge No. 197, and fills the offices of financier and medical
examiner. He is a member of Friendship Lodge No. 5, I. O. O. F., of
Atchison, Kansas, and was formerly a member of the Kansas State and
Missouri Valley Medical Society. Dr. Thatcher at present fills the posi-
tion of president of the Oregon City Board of Aldermen, and is also a
member of the Oregon Cornet Band.
E. VAN BUSKIRK,
an able attorney, counselor at law and notary public of Holt County,
was born in Richland County, Ohio, February 25, 1822. His father,
Lawrence Van Buskirk, was born in Hancock County, Pennsylvania, and
his forefathers came from Holland. His mother, whose maiden name
was Elizabeth Labor, was of Irish descent, and was born in Maryland.
She died when young Van Buskirk was about four years of age. He
lived with an uncle until twelve years old, then went to Marion County,
Ohio, and joined his father, who had again married. When eighteen
years old, he commenced to learn the printer's trade at Mount Vernon,
Ohio, where he worked two years. In 1842, he immigrated west, and
settled in Andrew County, Missouri, with an uncle. In 1845, L. D. Nash
started the Western Empire — the first paper published in Savannah —
and as he did not fully understand the business, he induced the subject
of this sketch to take charge of the business, which he did for one year.
412 HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
In 1846 he went to Weston, Platte County, Missouri, and published the
Western Empire and the Regular Baptist for S. J. Lowe. In 1848, he
returned to Savannah and published the Western Empire for one year
on his own account. His health failing, he discontinued the business,
and settled on a farm. He came to Holt County in March, 1852, and
engaged in teaming, for the purpose of recruiting his health In August,
1853, he was elected circuit clerk and recorder of Holt County, and was
re-elected in 1859, serving until the 5th of May, 1865. Mr. Van Buskirk
had been engaged in the study of law for some time, and was duly admit-
ted to the bar in June, 1865, and has continued the practice of his pro-
fession since that time. In February, 1861, he was elected a delegate to
the state convention, to consider the relation of Missouri to the Federal
Government. He served at five different sessions, or until July 1, 1863,
when an election was called and elected a Legislature. Under an order
from General B. F. Loan, he was made enrolling officer of Holt County.
Accordingly he stumped the city, organized the militia and assisted in
recruiting the Twelfth Missouri Cavalry. He drew the supplies for the
regiment and was elected major, but fell sick, and when the regiment
was called into service, was compelled to resign. He was afterwards
appointed as agent to procure credit for enlistments in favor of Holt
County. He has served on the town school board several years, and
took an active part in the erection ot the present school house. He is
a member of Oregon Lodge, No. 139, A. F. & A. M., in which he fills the
position of treasurer. Politically, he is a Democrat. He owns a hand-
some residence and property in the west part of town. Mr. Van Buskirk
was married on the 25th of December, 1844, to Miss Eliza J. Hart,
daughter of William and Priscilla Hart, of Andrew County, Missouri.
She was born in Morrow County, Ohio, March 10, 1824. They have
four children living, Priscilla, born February 6, 1846, (now Mrs. Martin
Whitmer, of this county) ; Alexander, born November 17, 1849 '■> John,
born December 28, 1858, and Mary, born December 1, 1863. Two are
deceased. Himself and wife are members of the Regular Baptist Church.
JONES VAUGHAN,
farmer, section 11, was born in Culpeper County, Virginia, on the 19th
of September, 1808, and was the son of John and Margaret Vaughan,
both natives of Virginia. Jones was reared to manhood at his birth-
place, spending his boyhood days on the farm and receiving a common
school education in the subscription schools. In 1836 he emigrated
westward and remained five years in the vicinity of Hannibal, Missouri.
He then returned to Virginia and was located near his old home until
1854, when he came west with his father's family. They landed in
Oregon on the 23d of November, 1854. He settled where he now
OREGON AND FOREST CITY. 413
resides in 1855, and since that time has been engaged in agricultural
pursuits. During the war he made one trip with the militia to Fort
Scott, Kansas. He has always been a hard working man, and now
owns a good farm of eighty acres, most of which is under cultivation.
He has a comfortable residence, fair orchard, etc. He was formerly a
member of the Grange. Great credit is due him for the care with
which he watched over his aged parents. His father died in 1874, after
having lived to the age of eighty-six years and six months. His mother
is still living and is now in her eighty-ninth year, and though quite
feeble, is tenderly cared for by her son and daughter. An unmarried
sister presides over the household affairs for Mr. Vaughan. Being an
old settler, he is widelv known over this countv.
M. D. WALKER,
farmer and stock raiser, section 1, was the youngest of a family of eight
children. His father, Isaac Walker, was a native of New Hampshire,
and was married to Jane Reno, who was born in Pennsylvania. They
moved to Indiana, about the year 1840. The subject of this sketch was
born on the 29th of September, 1843, in Dearborn County, Indiana. He
accompanied his parents to Mason County, Illinois, in 1848, and there
passed his boyhood days on the farm, receiving a preparatory education
in the high schools of Havana, Illinois. When he was preparing to enter
college the civil war broke out, and he was among the first to respond
to President Lincoln's call, although only eighteen years of age. He
enlisted in Company C, Second Illinois Cavalry, in June, [861, and served
until the close of the war, taking part in man)' of the hardest fought
battles of that conflict, among which were Ft. Henry, Ft. Donelson,
Island No. 10, Davis' Bridge, Holly Springs, through the Vicksburg Cam-
paign, in the battles of Black River Bridge, Champion Hill, Jackson,
Mississippi, and many others. He participated in the celebrated raid
from Baton Rouge to the mouth of the Pascagoula River, thence by
steamer to New Orleans, and then to Pensacola, Florida, taking part in
the capture of Spanish Fort and siege of Mobile. He served at Mont-
gomery, went next to Vicksburg, and then on the expedition through
Texas, being mustered out at New Orleans, in June, 1865. Mr. Walker
then returned to Springfield, and devoted six months to the study of
medicine. Upon moving to Peoria, Illinois, he entered Cole's commer-
cial college, from which institution he graduated in February, 1866.
After visiting St. Louis, Kansas City and Council Bluffs, he finally com-
menced the wholesale liquor business at Denver, Colorado, with a branch
house at Central City. After remaining here some six months, he
returned to Council Bluffs and embarked in the drug business. In August
1867, he came to Holt County, and bought and improved what is now
414 HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
known as the Libby farm. This he sold in 1870, moved to Oregon, and |
opened a drug store, continuing this business one year, when he pur-
chased his present farm in 1871. He has since given his attention to
agricultural pursuits, and now owns a farm embracing a quarter section
of fine land, 140 acres of which are under cultivation, upon it there being
a good orchard. He takes a deep interest in educational matters, and
has filled the various district offices. He is a member of Oregon Lodge
No. 196, A. O. U. W. Mr. Walker was married in September, 1868, to |
Miss Olibia Fash, a daughter of James L. Fash, of Peoria, Illinois. She
was born on the 7th of October, 1848, and was raised and educated at
Peoria. They have had four children : Esther V., born October 17, 1869;
Lawrence J., born February 26, 1876 ; Ophelia, born April 23, 1878, and
an infant, unnamed, born October 4, 188 1. Himself and wife are active
members of the Presbyterian Church, of Oregon.
JUDGE SAMUEL WATSON.
Among the oldest pioneers and most respected citizens of Holt
County is Samuel Watson. He was born in Richmond> Wayne County,
Indiana, October 27, 1813. His parents were originally from Kentucky.
Samuel was reared to manhood in his native village, receiving a com-
mon school education. He commenced to learn the cabinet trade when
sixteen years of age. and this occupation he followed some eight years
at his birthplace. In the fall of 1841 he came overland with a brother,
to this then western country, and after crossing the Nodaway River on
the 18th of October, 1841, he took up a claim one and a-half miles south-
east of where Oregon now stands. He built a log cabin upon it in the
spring of 1842, planting some eight acres of corn. Roving bands of
Indians passed occasionally in those early days, and since then the sub-
ject of this sketch has been identified with the interests of Holt County.
He assisted in building the first school house in the vicinity. In 1844 he
was elected justice of the peace, and filled the position for four years.
In 1846 he was appointed county judge, and served some nine years. In
1856 he represented his county in the State Legislature. Ray & Cope-
land built the first woolen mill in the county on his land, and in 1846 he
purchased the mill, and after operating it ten years remodeled it and
carried on the business until 1865. In 1862 he moved into Oregon. In
1868 he embarked in the general merchandise business with a partner,
and continued the business until 1878. He still owns his original claim
of 160 acres, and has it well improved. Judge Watson was married in
December, 1834, to Miss Ellen Edwards, a native of North Carolina.
They have had seven children, two of whom are living, Nannie and
Jonas. The five deceased are : William P., Richard C, James F. and
Sarah E., twins, and Mary J. It is to such sturdy, bold pioneers as Mr.
OREGON AND FOREST CITY. 415
and Mrs. Watson that the rising generations are indebted for the trans-
formation of a wilderness to one of the most attractive and desirable
locations in Missouri.
EMIL WEBBER,
of the firm of Graves & Webber, dealers in general merchandise, was
born in Prussia, Germany, on the 20th of December, 1848, and was the
son of Herman and Justine Webber, both natives of that place. Emit
immigrated to the United States in October, 1865, landing at New York
City, from whence he came to Forest City. He soon commenced clerk-
ing with George Webber, and, in January, 1874, he went to Mound City,
where he entered into the general merchandise business, with a partner.
After continuing there for three years he became associated with Mr.
Graves, in January, 1877, in his present calling. Mr. Webber was married
June 30, 1876, to Miss Mary B. Graves, daughter of Orville Graves. She
was born in Nodaway County, Missouri, February 4, 1854. They have
one child, Fannie C, born April 30, 1877. Mrs. Webber is a member of
the M. E. Church, South.
AMOS WEIS,
farmer and stock raiser, section 3, was born in Hessen Darmstadt,
Germany, on the 15th of June, 1825. His parents, Jacob and Clara
Weis, were both natives of Germany. Amos was the eldest of a
family of seven children. He was reared on a farm at his birthplace
and received excellent educational advantages. In 1848 he crossed the
ocean and landed at New York City on the 10th of May. He soon
settled at Cleveland, Ohio, remaining in that vicinity until 1855, when
he moved to Dane County, Wisconsin, and improved a farm. In the
spring of 1862 he came to St. Joseph, Missouri, and after a short time
moved to Nebraska, locating in Otoe County, near Nebraska City. He
sold out in 1865, came to Holt County and settled where he now resides
and since then has been steadily engaged in improving his farm. He
owns 140 acres, well improved, there being two dwelling houses upon it.
The residence he occupies is situated on an elevation and gives a fine
view of the surrounding country and the city of Oregon, one mile dis-
tant. His farm is well adapted to stock raising. Mr. Weis is an open-
hearted and generous citizen and is endowed with a true spirit of man-
liness. He was married in December, 1849, to Miss Elizabeth Belar.
She crossed the ocean in the same year as her husband — 1849. They
have had four children, three of whom are living : Henry, born Septem-
ber 1, 1850 ; Elizabeth, born June 13, 1852, (is now Mrs. Nicholas Stook,
of Oregon), and Charlie, born November 22, 1865 ; lost one, Philip.
Himself and wife are members of the German Reformed Church.
416 HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
CHARLES WYLIE,
farmer and stock raiser, is one of the enterprising citizens of this locality.
He was born July 8, 1839, in Oneida County, New York. His father,
Charles B. Wylie, was a native of Connecticut, while his mother, Lucinda
Gridly, was born in the State of New York. Charles spent his boyhood
days on the farm, at his birthplace, and received a common school edu-
cation. He immigrated west, in 1859, and settled on Rush Island, which
then belonged to Doniphan County, Kansas, but the river has since
changed its course, leaving the island in Missouri. Mr. Wylie returned
to New York, in 1861, and, after remaining for three years, he again came
to Missouri, in 1864, and settled on the same island. He was engaged
in the lumber and wood business at that time, when steamboats ran the
river, and afterwards followed farming. In 187 1 he moved to Forest
City, and then upon his farm, on section 25, a short distance north of
Forest City. His wife's health being poor he moved back to Forest City,
in 1880. He owns a good residence property there, and has in his pos-
session nearly all of section 25. This is well improved. He also owns
a half interest in 1,000 acres on Rush Island, 240 acres near Craig, and
some 300 acres in section 31, he being in partnership with Mr. Richard-
son of Forest City. The high water in the spring of 1881 damaged him
to the extent of some $4,000, washing away nearly five miles of fencing,
destroying his fall wheat, damaging 1,300 bushels of corn in the cribs,
and some 250 bushels of wheat in the bin. But, with the energy char-
acteristic of the man, he soon commenced repairing his losses. Mr.
Wylie was married on the 25th of December, 1866, to Miss Ellen March,
a native of Essex County, New York. They have two children, Nellie
and Frankie.
DANIEL ZACHMAN,
county recorder, was born in Marion County, Ohio, on the 20th of April,
1841, and was the son of Francis and Mariah Zachman, who were natives
of Baden, Germany- but who crossed the ocean in [829. Daniel was
reared to manhood at his birthplace, spending his boyhood days on the
farm, and receiving an education in the neighborhood schools. He also
worked some at the carpenter trade. When the cloud of civil war
enshrouded the country, Mr. Z. was among the first to respond to Presi-
dent Lincoln's call for three years' men. He enlisted as a private in
October, 1861, in Company D, Eighty-second Ohio Volunteer Infantry,
and served until the close of the war, taking part in the battles of second
Bull Run, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, where the regiment was badly
demoralized, Chattanooga, Missionary Ridge, siege of Atlanta, through
with General Sherman to the sea, and through to Washington, where he
took part in the grand review. He was discharged in July, 1865, having
OREGON AND FOREST CITY. 417
been promoted to sergeant. At the close of the war, Mr. Z. returned to
his old home, and in the fall of October, 1866, he came west and settled
at Nickols' Grove, Holt County, Missouri, where he engaged in farming.
He improved a fine farm of 160 acres, and now has a good residence, etc.
In the fall of 1878 he was elected recorder of Holt County, and has since
continued to fill the position, with credit to himself and all parties inter-
ested. Politically, he is a staunch Republican, and he has the respect
and esteem of a large circle of friends. Mr. Z. was married March 6,
1866, to Miss Rebecca Anselment, daughter of Joseph Anselment, of
this county. She was born in Marion County, Ohio, on the 12th of April,
1844. They have three children, John N., born December' 28, 1866 ;
Solomon O., born in December, 1873, and Flora A., born February 3,
1876. Mr. Zachman and wife are members of the Evangelical Associa-
tion.
LEVI ZOOK,
retired banker, and one of the leading business men of Holt County, is a
native of Marion County, Ohio. His father Daniel Zook, and his mother,
whose maiden name was Annie Forney, were natives of Pennsylvania.
Levi was born on the 10th of May, 183 1. He accompanied his parents
to Missouri, in the Spring of 1842, and arrived in Holt County on the
1st of May, when the county was something of a wilderness. The sale
of lots for the town of Oregon took place soon after they reached here,
and his father purchased a few of these lots and erected the first business
house in town. He soon started a general merchandise business in
partnership with one of his sons. Here the subject of this sketch was
reared to manhood. He received a fair education mostly by self appli-
cation, and after becoming old enough, he assisted his brother in the
store. His father died in the fall of 1842, and was the first person buried
in the town. In the spring of 1850, Levi became a partner with his
brother, and they remained in the business some five years, when they
retired. Upon recovering his health, which had long been poor, Mr.
Zook again entered into the general merchandise business, in partnership
with Hiram Patterson, with whom he continued about six years, under
the firm name of Zook and Patterson.- In 1857 they moved to Forest
City, and did business there until the fall of 1861, when the breaking out
of the war demoralized this locality to some extent. Mr. Z. moved the
stock of goods to Glenwood, Mills County, Iowa, where he closed it out.
In the spring of 1862 he opened a stock of dry goods at Oregon, on his
own account, but in 1864 he accepted as a partner, Mr. Jonas Lamar.
They continued the business until 1868. In 1867, our subject, in con-
nection with James Scott, opened a private bank, ( the first one in
Oregon) under the firm name of Zook & Scott. In 1870 Mr. Zook retired
from the banking business, but still continued the merchandise business
27
41 8 HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
at different points. January I, 1872, he again resumed the banking bus-
iness with Robert Montgomery, under the firm name of Zook & Mont-
gomery, with whom he remained until January, 1875, when he retired
from the banking business. He retained an interest in the merchandise
business at different points, until 1881. During the summer of 1881, he
superintended the improvements on the county court house. He has
never sought for office, but has always given his attention to his legiti-
mate business. During the war he was a strong Union man, and assisted
in raising volunteers. He also served in the Enrolled Missouri Militia,
his health not permitting his entering into the regular service. He is a
member of Forest City Lodge No. 214, A. F. and A. M., and an active
member of the Presbyterian Church, of Oregon. Mr. Zook was married
on the 3d of November, 1859, to Miss Minnie Von Lunen, She was
born in Prussia, Germany, but was brought across the ocean when quite
young. Her parents settled in Pennsylvania, in which state she was
raised. She died November 2, 1864, leaving one child, Charles D., born
July 24, i860.
CHAPTER XV.
LIBERTY TOWNSHIP.
BOUNDARIES-PHYSICAL FEATURES-EARLY SETTLERS-NEW LIBERTY CHURCH— BIO-
GRAPHICAL.
Liberty Township, the north central division ot Holt County, extends
in an east and west direction eight miles, and in a north and south direc-
tion six miles, forming the surface of a rectangular parallelogram. This
is one of the new townships, having been organized as late as 1874, out
of Benton, of which it was formerly a part. It is bounded on the north,
in a distance of eight miles, by Atchison County ; on the east by Clay
Township ; on the south by Benton, and on the west by Lincoln Town-
ship.
PHYSICAL FEATURES. .
Almost the entire surface of Liberty Township is prairie land ;
besides Ross Grove, in the southern part of the township, only a small
amount of timber being found, and that in the neighborhood of the
streams alone. The entire area of the township is well watered by
Squaw Creek and its tributaries, and also by other minor streams.
Squaw Creek enters Liberty Township in section 19, township 63,
range 38, and flows in a southerly by westerly direction through six
sections, entering from section 13, Benton Township. The middle
branch of this creek rises in the southeast quarter of section 21, and,
flowing in a southwesterly direction through a portion of eight sections,
enters the east branch of the same in section 13, township 62, range 38.
The east branch of Squaw Creek rises in the northwest quarter of sec-
tion 26, township 63, range 38, and, flowing in a generally southwesterly
course, unites in section 13 with the west branch, forming the main
body of Squaw Creek, which here flows southward into Benton Township.
Davis Creek rises in section 10, township 62, range 38, of Liberty
Township, and, flowing in a southwesterly direction through sections 15
and 16, enters Benton Township, in section 21.
EARLY SETTLERS.
Liberty Township was one of the last localities settled in Holt
County, and the general character of its improvements is rather above
420 , HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
the average. A few settlers, however, located in an early day in the
southern portion of the township, when the same was included in Ben-
ton Township. Probably the first of these was Robert K. Ross, of Ten-
nessee, still (1882) living in the place. He settled in what is now known
as Ross' Grove on the northeast quarter of section 7, township 62, range
38, near the waters of Squaw Creek, four and a half miles due north of
Mound City. Among those who settled in the neighborhood about this
time, or shortly after, came William Gady, John Clinger, from Indiana ;
Mrs. Sarah Stockwell, Henry French, Chris Shultz, and Adam Avery,
all from Indiana. Samuel Nay, from Illinois, settled within the present
limits of the township about 1846. Tinsley Dickey, from the same state,
also came about that period. William Beauchamp, from Kentucky,
settled there in 1850. Five years after, Fount. Donan, from Kentucky,
•settled in the neighborhood. John Hindman and Hiram Lawrence,
from Ohio, were also among the earlier settlers. J. Glick, from Vir-
ginia, settled there in i860. Henry Miller, from Illinois, came in 1864,
and William G. Mclntyre, ex-sheriff of the county, settled in Liberty
Township about 1867. Of late years, attracted by the superior excel-
lence of its lands, the territory of this township has rapidly settled up
with an enterprising and intelligent class of citizens. The streams on
public highways are all crossed by excellent bridges, and go.od school
houses are found in every district. Attention is also directed to the
culture of fruit, for the superior excellence of which Holt County is so
justly noted, and the day seems not far distant when every farm in Lib-
erty Township will have, as in other districts of the county, its bearing
orchard.
NEW LIBERTY CHURCH.
The only church building in Liberty Township stands on the farm
of James R. Miller. On the southeast corner of the southwest quarter
of section 3, township 62, range 39, is a lot including ten acres of ground,
six of which are devoted to the purpose of a cemetery, and the other
four, in the corner of this lot, is the church yard proper, in which stands
the neat structure of the church, a frame building erected by the Mis-
sionary Baptists in 1876, at a cost of $2,100. The building is 40x60 feet
in extent, and presents a plain, though neat appearance. The congrega-
tion of this church was organized in New Liberty School House (District
57) in the neighborhood of the year 1872, by Rev. E. S. Egerly, of Oregon.
Among the original members were J. J. Crews and wife, H. C. Offutt and
wife, David Hanks and wife, and William Drury. The congregation con-
tinued to meet in this school house till the erection of the church edifice.
Through the liberality of the Baptists, other denominations are per-
mitted tc hold services in the building, a privilege of which several
organizations in the county occasionally avail themselves.
LIBERTY TOWNSHIP. 42 1
As an evidence of the rapid advance in the value of property in this
section of Holt County, it is worthy of remark that the last piece of
vacant land in Liberty Township sold in May, 1881, at the rate of $20
per acre.
There are no towns in Liberty Township.
-G*— ?^Jfr=S2— S>
£tK^
^BIOGRAPHIC A L.R
WILLIAM G. ANDES,
farmer and merchant, section 32, was born on the 16th of February, 1848,
and was a native of Shenandoah County, Virginia. His father, John
Andes, a farmer by occupation, was born in Rockingham County, Vir-
ginia, and his mother, whose maiden name was Susan Glick, was also a
Virginian" by birth. In May, 1857, William G. came to Missouri, locating
in this county. He passed his youth in Virginia and Missouri and
received a common school education. He has been engaged in farming,
principally, during life, and now owns 320 acres of land, with a young
bearing orchard of 250 trees, and has an abundance of small fruits. He
has some 400 peach trees. Mr. Andes is Democratic in his political
views. He was married May 22, 1877, to Miss Elizabeth Moler, daughter
of Samuel Moler. They have two children living : Jessie, aged four
years, and Adam, five years old. Two are deceased. Mr. Andes' relig-
ious preferences are with the German Baptists.
L. I. BENNETT,
farmer, section 3, was born in Rockingham County, Virginia, on the 29th
day of March, 1846. His parents, William and Melinda (Airy) Bennett,
were both natives of Virginia. The former was a farmer by occupation,
and L. I. passed his youth on the farm in his native state, receiving an
education in the common schools. During the war he served for
eighteen months in the Confederate service, being a member of Company
E, Twenty-ninth Battalion of Virginia. In March, 1870, he moved to
Missouri, and the same year became a resident of Holt County. He
now owns 170 acres of land, with a young orchard of 130 apple and
peach trees, besides smaller fruits. He has upon his place some fine
graded stock. Politically, he is a Democrat. Mr. Bennett was married
422 HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
November 18, 1866, to Ellen Hanley, daughter of Mr. Samuel Hanley.
They have five children, Anna Florence, aged thirteen ; John M., aged
ten ; Charles, aged eight ; Maud Ellen, aged six, and Sidney, aged five
years. Mr. B.'s religious preferences are with the Christian denomi-
nation.
J. S. CHAPIN,
section 3, was born in Washington County, New York, October 4, 1832.
His father, Alvin Chapin, was a native of Massachusetts, and his mother,
formerly Mary Brewster, was born in Rutland County, Vermont. J. S.
Chapin spent his early youth on a farm, and obtained a common school
education. In 1845 he moved to Illinois, and from there came to Holt
County, Missouri, in 1869. He now has in his possession 210 acres of
land, with an orchard of 300 apple trees, some cherry, plum and pear
trees, and 200 grape vines, besides other fruit. Mr. Chapin makes a
specialty of fattening and shipping cattle. He was married February
10, 1870, to Helen J. Bradt, daughter of Richard Bradt, Esq. She was
born in New York State, but was raised in Wisconsin. Mr. and Mrs. C.
have six children : Charles B., born March 9, 1871 ;• Frank H., born
November 10, 1873 ; Harry C, born January 20, 1876 ; Mable E. and
Grace E., born June 7, 1879, and an infant born January 28, 1882. He
is Republican in politics.
JOHN T. COTTIER,
a son of Thomas Cottier, Esq., was born in Holt County, Missouri, Jan-
uary 24, 1854. His youth was spent on his father's farm, near Oregon,
and his primary education was obtained in the common schools. He
also attended some time later the high school at Oregon. He is a Repub-
lican in his political views. Mr. Cottier has a fine farm of 160 acres of as
good land as is to be found in this county, situated in section 20. His
young orchard contains some 300 apple trees, besides peaches, cherries,
plums, etc. His religious preferences are with the Christian Church.
JAMES COTTIER,
farmer, section 19, was born at Oregon, Holt County, Missouri, Decem-
ber 13, 1855. His father, Thomas Cottier, a farmer by occupation, and
a native of the Isle of Man, and his mother, whose maiden name was
Minerva Bealer, was born in Indiana. James passed his younger days
on the farm at home, and attended the common schools and also the
high school at Oregon. He owns 171 acres of excellent prairie land,
improved, upon which are 150 young apple trees. Mr. Cottier is a Repub-
lican. He was married December 22, 1880, to. Miss Alice King, daughter
of O. H. King, Esq. He religiously inclines toward the Christian
denomination.
LIBERTY TOWNSHIP. 423
HENRY CRANSLIN,
farmer and stock feeder, section 4, is a native of Germany, where he was
born September 10, 1830. His parents were both born in Germany, and
the father was a farmer by calling. Henry left his native country when
five years of age, in 1835, and for four years was a resident of New
Orleans. When he was nine years old he went to Morgan County,
Missouri, in 1839, and after living there for seven years he located in
Lafayette County. In the spring of 1862 he came to Holt County, where
he now owns 800 acres of land. He has a good orchard of 200 trees.
His educational advantages were much neglected in early life, but by
self application in later years he has obtained a liberal knowledge. Mr.
Cranslin was married in June, i85i, to Sarilda Nicholas, who was born
September 13, 1836, in Madison County, Illinois. Her father was William
Nicholas. They have four children : Nancy J., born January 2, 1865 ;
Margaret A., born December 3, 1867 ; Henrietta, born July 17, 1870, and
Louisa Ellen, born September 1, 1871. In politics Mr. C. is a Republi-
can, and religiously a German Baptist.
PETER DEARMONT,
farmer, stock feeder and shipper, section 14, is a native of Virginia, and
was born in Clarke County, of that state, April 17, 1835. His youth was
spent in tilling the soil, and his education was such as could be received
in the common schools. During the war he was in service for four years,
and was in the battles of Gettysburg, Petersburg, first and second Bull
Run, the seven days fight around Richmond, and several minor engage-
ments. In 1871, he removed to Missouri, locating in Holt County, and
here he now owns 190 acres of land, his orchard embracing apple, peach,
cherry and plum trees. Mr. Dearmont was married in St. Joseph on the
12th of November, 1858, to Miss Mary E. Bell, daughter of Strother
Bell, Esq. She was born in Clarke County, Virginia. Mr. and Mrs. D.
have six children: Washington, born September 22, 1859; Beauregard,
born September 22, 1861 ; James Lee, born June 3, 1863 ; Lucy, born
March 5, 1866; Hays, born April 14, 1869, and Claude H., born Septem-
ber 15, 1875. Mr. Dearmont is a Democrat, and religiously a Methodist.
JOSEPH T. DEARMONT,
farmer, section 11, was born in Clarke County, Virginia, on the 19th of
November, 1844. His parents, Michael and Lucy (Ferguson) Dearmont,
being natives of the same state. The youth of Joseph was passed on a
farm, and for a time he attended the common schools. In the fall of
1871 he came to Missouri and located in this county, where he now
resides, having in his possession 100 acres of land, upon which is a good
424 HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
though young orchard, of the various varieties of fruit. During the late
war, he was for three years a member of Company D, Sixth Virginia
Cavalry, of the Confederate army. He was in the battles of Manassas,
Brandy Station, Winchester, and several smaller engagements. Mr. D.'s
religious preferences are with the Presbyterian denomination. He has
been twice married ; first, October i, 1865, to Matilda A. Bell. His
second marriage was to Ellen E. Piper, January 17, 1878. She was born
and raised in Frederick County, Virginia. Mr. D. has two children,
Charles H., born February 5, 1868, and Mary Maud, born July 27, 187 1.
He is a Democrat in his political views.
FOUNTIN DONAN,
farmer, section 18, was born on the 1st day of September, 1830, in Hart
County, Kentucky, and was the son of David C. and Elizabeth (Gillaspy)
Donan, both natives of Virginia. The former was a farmer by occupa-
tion, and Fountin passed his boyhood days in his native county, obtain-
ing a good common school education. He was also an attendant of a
Masonic college. In 1850 he took a trip to California, returning to Ken-
tucky in 1852, and in March, 1856, came to Missouri, locating in Holt
County, in September of that year. In the fall of 1858 he went to Colorado,
returning to Missouri in 1859, and in 1863 he again went to Colorado,
and from there to Montana. Mr. D. now has 560 acres of land, with an
orchard of 600 apple trees, cherries and other fruit, and upon his place
he keeps good graded stock. In 1859-60-61, he held the position of
deputy surveyor, and during the war he belonged to Colonel Slayback's
regiment of the Missouri Confederate service. He was in two engage-
ments, those of Blue Mills, and Lexington, Missouri. September 10,
1871, Mr. D. was married to Mary Ashby, daughter of Lloyd Ashby, Esq.
Their family consists of John, aged eight ; William Henry, aged seven ;
Anna L., aged six, and Robert A., two years old. He is a Democrat,
and religiously, a Methodist.
WILLIAM DRURY,
farmer and stock feeder, section 11, is a native of Hart County, Ken-
tucky, where he was born in May, 1836. His father, T. B. Drury, was
born in New York, and his mother, whose maiden name was Elizabeth
Walden, was a Kentuckian by birth. The younger days of William were
passed on a farm and in attending the common schools. In 1856 he
moved to Minnesota, where he lived until October, 1859, then locating
in Illinois. After residing in that state for two years he returned to
Minnesota, in the spring of 1862, and then entered the army, becoming
a member of Company F, Second Minnesota Cavalry. He was in sev-
eral engagements with the Indians, and remained in service two years.
LIBERTY TOWNSHIP. 425.
Mr. D. continued to live in Minnesota until October, 1868, when he came
to Holt County, Missouri, and here he now owns 160 acres of land, upon
which is a good bearing orchard of 250 apple and 300 peach trees, with
a choice variety of small fruits. He also has some good graded cattle,
and feeds and ships large quantities of stock. May 11, 1856, Miss Sarah
Herron, daughter of John Herron, became his wife. She was born in
Ohio, on the 8th of July, 1837. They have a family of four children : M.
W., born March 6, 1859 J S. F., born August 13, 1861 ; Hannah M., born
January 17, 1865 ; George Samuel, born March 8-, 1878. Mr. D. is a
Republican in politics.
THOMAS J. FEASEL,
section 1, was born in Darke County, Ohio, on the 13th of August, 1844,.
and was the son of Joseph Feasel, a native of Tennessee, and Matilda
nee Templeton. Thomas spent his earlier youth on a farm, and at the
common schools in Indiana. When only thirteen years of age, in Sep-
tember, 1857, he c.ame to Holt County, Missouri. During the late war
he served for three years in Company D, of the Seventh Iowa Cavalry,
and was in numerous conflicts with the Indians, among which were the
battles of Horse Creek and Julesburg, Nebraska. Politically, he is a
Republican, and is a member of the Baptist Church. Mr. Feasel was
married November 10, 1867, to Miss Nancy J. Watson, daughter of Mr.
Henry Watson. They have five children : Sarah J., born November 10,
1868; Mary E., born September 16, 1870; Nathan D., born January 12,
1876; Alberta May, born October 14, 1879, and Nettie L., born May 24,
1881. Mr. F. has 240 acres of land, with a young, bearing orchard of
150 apple, 100 peach and 40 cherry, besides a few plum trees.
JOSEPH FLORY,
farmer, section 12, was born in Augusta County, Virginia, on the 20th of
January, 1844, his parents being Daniel and Christena (Sniteman) Flory.
The former, a farmer by occupation, was a native of Rockingham County,
Virginia, and the mother of Germany. The early life of Joseph was
passed on a farm in his native county, and he was educated in the com-
mon schools. He took a trip to the Rocky Mountain country, and spent
two years in that region, previous to his coming to Holt County, Mis-
souri, in May, 1874. Mr. F. now has eighty-five acres of land, and one
hundred apple and fifty young peach trees, with other varieties. His
religious preferences are with the Latter Day Saints, and in December,
1875, he was ordained by his church to preach. On the 2d of May, 1867,
he was married to Miss Susan A. Coffman, a native of Virginia, and
daughter of Mr. Joseph Coffman. They have three children : Sarah C,
born August 27, 1868; Mary Alice, born March 10, 1875, and Isaac T.,.
born May 7, 1877. Mr. F. is independent in his political views.
426 HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
HENRY FLORY,
farmer, section I, a native of Augusta County, Virginia, was born on the
17th of September, 1848, and was the son of Daniel Flory, who was born
in Virginia,, and an agriculturist by calling. His mother's maiden name
was Christena Sniteman, and she was a native of Germany. Henry was
raised in his native county, on a farm, obtaining a common school edu-
cation. In the spring of 1887 he came to Holt County, Missouri, began
tilling the soil, and now owns a farm of forty acres, well improved, and
with a small, good bearing orchard. Mr. Flory was married in Augusta
County, Virginia, to Miss Eliza A. Fauber, daughter of Peter Fauber, of
that county. She was born on the 18th of October, 1849. Politically,
he is a Democrat, and his religious preferences are with the German
Baptists.
LEMUEL FOUNTAIN,
farmer, section 15, was born in the town of Perin, Clermont County,
'Ohio, on October 9, 1830, his parents being Matthew and Patty P.
Fountain. His father, who was engaged in the occupation of farming,
was a native of New York, and his mother of Massachusetts. Lemuel
•spent his youth in Indiana on a farm, there receiving an education such
as the common schools afforded. In 1867 he moved to the state of Min-
nesota, and on the 9th of April, 1868, came to Missouri, locating in
Holt County, where he now owns eighty acres of good land. He has
300 young bearing peach and other varieties of fruit trees. Mr. F. is an
advocate of the principles of the Republican party, and his religious
preferences are with the Methodist denomination. October 16, 185 1, he
was married to Miss Martha Coburn, daughter of Mr. John Coburn.
Their family consists of Amanda Hazlett, aged twenty-eight ; Edwin,
aged twenty-five.; William, aged twenty-three; Ezra, aged twenty-
two ; Anna, aged eighteen ; James, aged sixteen ; Lemuel, aged four-
teen ; Matta May, aged twelve years, and Guy, six years old.
LEVI GILLIS,
farmer and stock dealer, section 18, postoffice, Mound City, is a son of
George Gillis, and was born in Clinton County, Missouri, July 7, 1839.
He came to Holt County with his parents, and here he has since resided,
except a short time during the war. He has made farming his principal
occupation, and now has 300 acres of land, on which he erected a fine
residence in the year 1881. April 12, 1865, Mr. G. was married to Miss
Martha Morrow, who was born in Greene County, Ohio, April 15, 1843.
They have five children : Olive, Cordelia, Thomas, Nettie, and Lau-
■rania. Mr. G. is a member of Mound City Lodge No. 294, A. F. and
A. M.
LIBERTY TOWNSHIP. 427
JOSEPH GLICK,
farmer and stock raiser, section 33, was born on the 25th of August, 1830,
in New Market, Shenandoah County, Virginia, the son of Joseph and
Susan (Wampler) Glick. The former was a farmer by occupation, and a
native of Virginia, and the latter of Maryland. Joseph was raised on a
farm, in his native county, and received a good common school educa-
tion. In 1857 he came to this state, and on October 14th of that year,
located in Holt County, where he is now the owner of 165 acres of land.
He first settled in Benton Township, and for sixteen years lived on one
place, and has been an occupant of his present farm for eight years.
During the late war he served for three months in the State Militia. He
is a Democrat. Mr. Glick was married February 20, 1868, to Lucinda
Palmer, a daughter of Mr. Martin Palmer. Mrs. Glick was. born in Ben-
ton Township, Holt County, Missouri, November 1, 1852. They have
four children, Lucinda Ann, born July 27, 1871 ; William J., born August
30, 1874 ; Ida May, born October 27, 1876, and Maggie V., born July 19,
1880. On the 13th of April, 1873, Mr. G. was ordained to preach the
gospel by the German Baptist Church, of which he had so long been a
rqember. He has upon his farm some fine Berkshire hogs. His orchard
contains 125 apple and ?0O peach trees, besides other selections.
JOEL GLICK,
farmer, section 4, is a native of Shenandoah County, Virginia, where he
was born on September 14, 1839, ms parents being Joseph, a farmer, and
a native of Virginia, and Susan (Wampler) Glick, the latter of Maryland.
Joel spent his youth on a farm in Virginia, and for some time attended
the common schools. In 1857 he came to Missouri, and the same year
located in Holt County, and here he now owns 170 acres of land. Mr.
Glick's religious preferences are with the German Baptist denomina-
tion, and in September, 1875, he was ordained as clergyman. Politically
is a Democrat. March 20, 1862, he was married to Achsah Pearson,
daughter of James Pearson. They have five children : Martina Bell,
aged seventeen ; William J. S., aged fifteen ; Ann Eliza Susan, aged
eleven ; George L., aged five, and David Casper, aged two years.
GEORGE W. KELLER,
farmer, section 15, was born on the 7th of January, 1838, in Morrow
County, Ohio, and was the son of John and Matilda ( Sames ) Keller.
The former a native of Pennsylvania, was an agriculturist by occupation,
and the mother of George was originally from Ohio. Young Keller was
raised in his native state, on a farm, receiving his education there and
428 HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
in Missouri. In the fall of 1857 he came to this state, and settled in
Holt County, where he now has in his possession 40 acres of land, with
150 young apple trees, and an abundance of small fruits. For four years
in the late civil war Mr. K. was a member of Company F, Fourth Mis-
souri State Militia. He was in several conflicts, among which were the
battles of Springfield, Missouri, and Mine Creek, besides minor engage-
ments. He is Republican in politics. On the nth of February, 1865,
he was married to Rebecca Ann Thornton, a daughter of Franklin
Thornton, Esq. Their family consists of Armina E., twelve years old.;
Delia M., aged ten ; William J., aged six ; George A., four years of age,
and Alta M., eighteen months old. Religiously, Mr. K. inclines toward
the Methodist faith.
JACOB R. KELLER,
farmer, section 32, was born on February 11, 1852, in Baltimore County,
Maryland. His father, David Keller, a farmer by occupation, was born
in Maryland, and his mother, formerly Rachel A. Bowl, was from the
same state. The early life of Jacob was passed in Pennsylvania on a
farm, and he obtained a common school education. In 187 1, he removed
to Missouri, and the year following (1872) came to Holt County. His
landed estate consists of 168 acres, and upon his farm he has 115 apple
trees, with a great quantity of peaches, pears, cherries, etc. Politically
he is a Democrat. Mr. Keller was married September 9, 1875, to Miss
Virginia Andes, daughter of John Andes, Esq. They have two children
living; John Elmer, aged four years, and Charles Marvin, born April 18,
1880. One child is deceased. Mr. K. religiously is a German Baptist,
and in the fall of 188 1, he was ordained a minister of his church.
WILLIAM G. McINTYRE,
farmer, section 10, a native of Holt County, Missouri, was born on the
20th of May, 1847, his parents being Lewis and Mariah (Blair) Mcln-
tyre. The former was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, and was a tiller
of the soil, and William's mother came originally from Indiana. Young
Mclntyre's youth was spent on a farm, he receiving his education in the
common schools of Holt County. During the war he was in service for
three years and five months in Company K, Thirteenth Missouri, and
he participated in the campaign of 1864 against Price. Politically he is
a Republican and has served this county as its sheriff and collector. In
the fall of 1872 he was elected sheriff and served for one term, and in
1874 he was the choice of the people for the position of collector. He
is zn Old School Presbyterian. Mr. Mclntyre has a fine farm of eighty-
five acres, with 130 young apple and fifty peach trees, with small fruits.
He was married March 12, 1871, to Miss Anna Miller, daughter of
LIBERTY TOWNSHIP. 429
Henry C. Miller, of Liberty Township, Holt County, Missouri. Mrs.
Mclntyre was born in Cincinnati, Ohio. Two children have been born
to them : Guy E., born April 18, 1878, and Bertha A., born May 6,
1880.
JOHN P. McMURRAY,
farmer, section 36, was born in the Shenandoah Valley, within the limits
of Clarke County, Virginia, on January 23, 1839. His father, Peter, was
a native of Virginia, as was also his mother, whose maiden name was
Catharine Sample. John was educated in the common schools of his
native state, and he subsequently moved to Missouri, locating in Holt
County, in October, 1871. His estate consists of 160 acres of land, and
a good young orchard of 120 apple, with peach, pear and other fruit
trees ; also 100 grape vines. Mr. McMurray is a member of the Masonic
fraternity. During the late war he was in the Sixth Virginia Cavalry,
of the Confederate service, and was in both of the battles of Bull Run,
and all of the principal engagements around Richmond. He is a staunch
Democrat. He has been twice married : First, on November 3, 1859, to
Sarah E. Dearmont, and the second marriage occurred to Ellen G.
Crebs, daughter of John H. Crebs, of Virginia. Mrs. McMurray is a
native of that state, and was educated at Dunbar Seminary, of Winches-
ter, Frederick County. Their family circle embraces : Wilton, born
November 18, i860 ; Willie, born May 21, 1863 ; Walter, born October
3, 1865 ; Wade, born May 30, 1867 ; Edgar, born February 11, 1872 ;
Edith, born September 7, 1873 ; Ella, born February 17, 1876; Stonewall
Jackson, born May 13, 1878, and Eola, born July 7, 1880. Mr. McMur-
ray's religious preferences are with the Presbyterian denomination.
HENRY C. MILLER,
section 9, was born in Germany, October 23, 182 1, and his parents were
each natives of that country. His father was a farmer, and Henry was
raised and received a common school education at his birthplace. He
is a machinist by trade, the greater part of his youth having been spent
in a machine shop. In December, 1844, he emigrated to New Orleans,
and after residing there tor eighteen months, in December, 1846, he
moved to Cincinnati, Ohio. From thence he went to Vicksburg, and
after nearly a year, returned to Cincinnati, and until 1852 he worked at
the machinist trade. In that year, Edgar County, Illinois, became his
home, and there he was engaged in farming. In the spring of 1865, Mr.
Miller came to Holt County, Missouri, and now owns a farm of 160 acres
of land. He has a fine bearing orchard of 150 apple and 140 peach
trees and a good vineyard of 600 grape vines, besides smaller fruits.
Mr. M. was married in Cincinnati in December, 1847, to Christena Heyer,
430 HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY,
daughter oi John Heyer. She was born in Germany, December 25, 1826
Their family consists of Annie, (wife of William G. Mclntyre), born
January 18, 1852 ; Franklin, born August 29, 1855 '■> Louisa, (wife of O.
M. Kelly), born April 1, 1858, and John, born April 12, 1861. Mr. Miller's |
religious preferences are with the Lutherans, and his political views are
Republican.
JOHN A. MILLER,
is a native of Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, where he was born
February 19, 1837. His parents, Martin and Margaret (Halter) Miller,
as well as both of his grandparents, were born in Cumberland County,
Pennsylvania, and there John was raised, being educated in the common
schools. He resided in his native county until 1869, when he came to
Holt County, Missouri, and settled near Oregon, where he lived for about
eight years. He then moved to this township, and located where he now
resides, having a good farm of 160 acres of land in what is known as
Minnesota Valley. His orchard includes 200 apple, 100 peach and some
cherry trees. Mr. Miller was married in Cumberland County, Pennsyl-
vania, in January, 1855, to Miss Catharine, daughter of Abram Severs,
Esq. Mr. and Mrs. M. have ten children : Alfred A., born May 26, 1858;
John A., born February 14, i860 ; Margaret C, born January 22, 1862 ;.
Amanda M., born April 17, 1864; Martin A., born June 6, 1866; Wil-
liam H., born August 5, 1868 ; Eva May, born November 7, 1871 ; Mira
Belle, born April 1, 1873 ; Mary Ann, born April 8, 1875, and James A.
G., born July 12, 1878.
J. P. NORMAN,
farmer and stock raiser, section 6, was born on the 15th of May, 1847,.
being a native of Page County, Virginia. His father, John, was an agri-
culturist by occupation, and was born in Virginia, and his mother whose
maiden name * was Lucy A. Peterfish, was from the same state. The
youth of J. P. Norman was spent in his native state, on a farm, his educa-
tion being received in the common schools of Indiana. In March, 1869,.
he removed to Missouri, locating in this county, and now owns 126 acres
of land, upon which is some good graded stock. He also has a young
bearing orchard. For eighteen months during the war, he was in Com-
pany K, Second Virginia Infantry of the Confederate service, and par-
ticipated in the battles of Gettysburg and Chancellorsville, besides
minor engagements. He is a Republican in politics. Mr. Norman was
married December 15, i$72, to Rachael A. Flinn, daughter of Adam
Flinn. They have three children : Minnie A., aged eight years ; Lura
A., aged seven years, and Walter, three years old. Religiously, Mr. N.
is a German Baptist.
LIBERTY TOWNSHIP. 43 T
WILLIAM R. OWENS,
farmer, section 3, owes his nativity to Saline County, Missouri, where
he was born on the 29th of March, 1849. His father, John Owens, a
native of Tennessee, was engaged in farming, and his mother, formerly
Mary Bright, was a Kentuckian by birth. William' passed his youth in
Missouri on a farm, and during his early life attended the common
schools. In April, 1875, he came to Holt County and here he now owns
120 acres of land and a young orchard of seventy-five apple trees and
some small fruits. Politically Mr. O. is a Democrat. March 10, 1870,
Miss Elizabeth Anderson, daughter of William. Anderson, became his
wife. His religious preferences are with the Christian denomination.
F. S. PEARCE,
farmer, stock feeder and shipper, section 17, was born on the 16th day
of January, 1845, in Baltimore County, Maryland, and was the son of
William and Elizabeth (Hartman) Pearce, both natives of Pennsylvania.
In March, 1855, young Pearce came to Missouri, locating in Holt
County. He was raised on a farm, partly in Maryland and also in this
state, he receiving a common school education. During the late war he
enlisted in Company D, Twenty-eight Illinois Regiment and served for
nearly four years, participating in the battles of Belmont, Shiloh, the
surrender of Vicksburg and several minor engagements. The landed,
estate of Mr. Pearce consists of 130 acres of land, upon which is a
young orchard of 120 apple, peach and pear trees, etc. He has beeni
twice married, first, in 1866, to Rebecca J. Penrose, daughter of Mr.
John Penrose, and by this union there was one child, A. E., now fifteen
years of age. On the 16th of January, 1873, Emma J. Bender became
his wife. Her father was Elias Bender, Esq. They have one child, U.
S., aged five years. Mr. P. is Republican in politics, and religiously is a
Methodist.
I. C. PEARCE,
farmer and feeder and shipper of hogs and cattle, section 27, is a native
of Baltimore County, Maryland, where he was born on the 27th of August,
1847. His parents were WilUam Pearce, a farmer, who was born in Penn-
sylvania, and Elizabeth Pearce, whose maiden name was Hartman, of the
same state. In 1855, I- C. was brought to Missouri and settled in Holt
County, and here his youth was principally spent, and his common school
education mostly obtained. During the late civil war he was in the
State Militia for twelve months. His farm contains 160 acres of land,,
with a young orchard of 250 apple and 200 peach trees, and some grapes,,
etc. He devotes much attention to his stock interests. Religiously,.
"Mr. Pearce's preferences are with the Methodists. He was married in*
432 HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
January, 1868, to Mary A. Kunkel, daughter of Henry Kunkel. They
have five children, Ida, aged ten years ; Lilly, aged eight ; Nellie, aged
six ; Hayes aged four years, and Gertrude, aged two years. In politics,
Mr. P. is a Republican.
R. K. ROSS, Sen.,
farmer, sections 4 and 6, was born in Guilford County, North Carolina,
February 25, 18 10, being a son of Andrew Ross and Anna, nee Kimmons,
both natives of North Carolina. Young Ross passed his early days in
Tennessee, on a farm, but was denied the privileges of acquiring an
education in the schools of pioneer fame. He was an early settler of
Missouri, and especially of Holt County, to which he had moved in 1847.
He now owns a farm of 140 acres. Mr. Ross is a member of the Masonic
fraternity, and also belongs to the Latter Day Saints. October 1, 1831,
he was married to Jane Bird, daughter of Mr. John Bird, and a native of
Tennessee. Their family consists of ten children : Andrew J., Nancy,
Mary H., Eliza J., Lucinda, Rachel, George W., Isaac, R. K. and Frances.
They have lost five children. Mr. R. is a Democrat.
R. K. ROSS, Jr.,
section 4, is a son of R. K. and Jane (Bird) Ross, the former of North
Carolina and the latter of Tennessee, and was born in Holt County,
Missouri, November 26, 1852. He here spent his youth on a farm,
obtaining a common school education, and has always made this county
his home. His landed estate consists of eighty acres of land, well
improved. Politically, Mr. Ross is a Democrat, and his religious prefer-
ences are with the denomination of Latter Day Saints. In March, 1878,
be was married to Miss Mary Worley, whose father was Peter Worley.
They have two children : William Thomas, two years old, and an infant
son, Robert K.
JUDGE GEORGE P. SKEELS,
farmer, stock feeder and shipper, section 15, was born in Scipio Town-
ship, Seneca County, Ohio, August 8, 1833, his parents being Silas and
Anica (Beardsly) Skeels. The former was a native of New Haven
County, Connecticut, and the latter was born in the same state. George
was reared in his native county on a farm, and received a liberal educa-
tion at the Seneca County Academy, located at Republic. When he
was seventeen years of age, he began teaching school, and with one
exception taught every winter until i860. March 27, 1856, he removed
to Kansas, where he remained until October 26, 1857, when he came to
Holt County. In 1859, he returned to Ohio, but after being there for
four years, came again to this county in 1864. Since residing here he
has taught school four years. In the fall of 1866, Mr. Skeels was elected
LIBERTY TOWNSHIP. 433
county judge, was re-elected in the fall of 1868, and has served in this
capacity for eight years, thus showing the esteem, as an official, in which
he is held by the community. He is a staunch Republican in his politi-
cal views, and is a member of the Masonic order. In the fall of 1866,
he commenced farming, and has given much attention to agriculture
and the feeding and shipping of stock, having upon his place some good
graded cattle and thoroughbred hogs. His farm contains 220 acres, and
he has a bearing orchard of 300 apple and 100 peach trees, besides cher-
ries, plums, grapes and other fruit. Judge Skeels was married January
I, i860, to Miss Serilda A. Caton, daughter of Mr. Christopher P. Caton.
She was born in Carroll County, Missouri, but was brought to Holt
County when a child. Their family consists of six children : Dora H.,
born August I, 1862 ; Frank B. and Flora E. (twins) born October 26,
1865 ; Myrtie E., born July 12, 1868 ; May F., born January 24, 1871, and
George P., born September 25, 1872. The judge's religious preferences
are with the Universalists.
WILLIAM SMITH,
farmer and stock raiser, section 16, is a native of Northumberland
County, Pennsylvania, and was born on the 13th of July, 1835, his
parents, John and Rachael A. Smith, both having been born in Pennsyl-
vania. The former was an agriculturist, and William passed his youth
on the farm, and also worked at the trade of blacksmithing. His educa-
tion he received in his native state. In 1856 he moved to Michigan, for
one year followed his trade, and then worked on a farm until the spring
of 1869, when he came .to Missouri, locating in Holt County. He now
owns 340 acres of excellent land, with a superior orchard of 230 apple
trees, also cherries, plums, grapes and small fruits in abundance. Mr.
Smith is Republican in politics. On the 15th of March, i860, Miss
Catharine Shunkweiler, daughter of Henry Shunkweiler. became his wife.
Their family consists of nine children : Lydia A., aged twenty-one
years ; Mary E., aged nineteen ; Amelia C, aged seventeen ; George H.,
aged fourteen ; William E., aged eleven ; John W., aged nine ; Benjamin
F., aged five ; Charles Ira, aged two, and Andrew T., born December 23,
1881. Religiously, Mr. Smith's preferences are with the Evangelical
Association.
ELIAS SMITH,
farmer, section 16; was born on the 24th of December, 1837, in Schuyl-
kill County, Pennsylvania, and was the son of John and Rachel Smith,
who were natives of Pennsylvania. His father was a tiller of the soil,
and the early life of Elias was passed on the farm, he also attending the
common schools of his native state. During the war he was in service
28
l
434 HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
for three years in the Second Iowa Battery, and participated in the
siege of Vicksburg, the battles of New Madrid and Corinth, Tennessee,
and several minor engagements. February 5, 1879, ne came to Mis-
souri and now has a landed estate of 160 acres, with 150 young bearing
apple trees and some small fruits. Mr. Smith is Republican in politics.
He has been twice married ; first, on the 15th of March, 1866, to Eliza-
beth Shunkweiler, and March 2, 1872, to Angeline Shunkweiler, a sister
of his first wife. Mr. Smith has three children : John H., aged fifteen
years ; Franklin, aged seven, and Hattie E., three years old. Relig-
iously he worships with the Evangelical denomination.
LEWIS C. SMITH,
section 7, is. a native of St. Joseph County, Indiana, where he was born
December 24, 1845. His father, Michael Smith, was born in Germany,
and his mother, whose maiden name was Margaret Rhodes, was a native
of the same country. Lewis spent his youth in Indiana on a farm, and
was educated in the common schools. In June, 1865, he came to Mis-
souri, locating in Holt County, and is now the possessor of 140 acres of
good land. His bearing orchard includes 300 apple and fifty peach trees,
with 100 grape vines and other fruit. Politically, he is a Republican, and
he belongs to the Latter Day Saints. On the 12th of August, 1871, Mr.
Smith was married to Lucinda Ross, daughter of R. K. Ross, Esq., of
this county. He is one of the enterprising farmers of this vicinity, and
is successful in his business.
THOMS TEAR,
farmer, section 24, was born on the Isle of Man, on the 12th day of May,.
1843, his parents, Thomas and Isabella (Lace) Tear, both having been
natives of that place. The former was a farmer, and young Tear was
raised at his birthplace on a farm, and during life has received a good
common school education. He emigrated to the United States, and for
one year previous to coming to Holt County, Missouri, he was located'
in Kansas. In August, 1866, he settled in this vicinity, and now owns
eighty acres of land, with a fine orchard of 100 apple and 1,000 peach
trees, besides 200 grape vines. Mr. Tear is a member in good standing
of the Masonic fraternity. He was married on the 9th of November,
1870, to Miss Caroline Hogland, daughter of John Hogland. By this
union they have four children : Eddie Allen, born July 10, 1871 ; Dellie
Bell, born February 12, 1873 ; John Thomas, born March 13, 1874,. and?
Charles Oscar, born December 15, 1875. Mr. Tear's political views are-
Republican, and his religious preferences are with the Methodists.
LIBERTY TOWNSHIP. 435
HENRY D. WALKER,
section 14, was born March 20, 183 1, in Germany, and was the son of
John and Catherine (Jacobs) Walker, who were both natives of that
country. When he was fifteen years old, Henry left his native place and
emigrated to America, settling in Pennsylvania. He was brought up
principally on a farm, obtaining an education such as the common schools
• afforded, and in 185 1 he moved to Ohio. On leaving there, in 1856, he
went to Iowa, and thence to Andrew County, Missouri, in 1859, coming
to Holt County, Missouri, in February, 1866. His farm embraces 190
acres of land, and upon it are 400 fine bearing apple and 150 peach,
besides pear, cherry and plum trees. Mr. Walker is a member of the I.
O. O. F. fraternity. He was united in marriage July 28, 1863, with Miss
Mary J. Mann, daughter of James Mann, Esq. She was born in High-
land County, Ohio, and was reared in Ohio and Illinois. Their family
consists of James W., born June 14, 1864 ; John Henry, born September
27, 1867 ; Margaret A., born March 29, 1869; Flora E., born December
25, 1871 ; Emma J., born April 25, 1874 ; Mary P., born August 6, 1875 ;
Louisa M., born November 6, 1878, and George M., born March 15, 1881.
Mr. W. is independent in politics, but religiously, is a Cumberland Pres-
byterian.
PETER E. WHITMER,
section 10, is a native of Miami County, Ohio, and was born on the 7th
of July, 1840, being the son of Samuel and Barbara (Brubaker) Whitmer.
His father was born in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, and his mother
was also from that state. The early life of Peter was passed on a farm
and for some time he attended the public schools. He also received a
good education at Jaysville Institute. In the late war Mr. W. served for
two years and four months in Company B, Ninety-fourth Ohio Infantry,
and was in several engagements. In politics he is Republican, and he is
also a minister of the German Baptist Church, having been ordained in
the fall of 1881. His landed interests embrace 160 acres, with an orchard
of 200 apple, 300 peach, 200 of which are fine budded trees, and a few
cherry, plum and pear trees, besides small fruits. He has also 1,000
European larches and 200 cedar trees. Mr. W. was married on the 23d
of December, 1870, to Miss Cynthia Ann Cable, daughter of Jacob Cable.
She was born in Ohio, September 26, 1846, and was there reared. They
have four children : Minnie Lloyd, born November 8, 1871 ; Bertillie E.,
born December 25, 1876 ; Venilla May, born May 14, 1878; Warren F,,
born April 22, 1879. One child died in 1874.
JONAS WHITMER,
farmer, section 5, was born on the 15th of September, 1842, and owes
his nativity to Miami County, Ohio. His parents, S. B. and Elizabeth
436 HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
Brubaker, were both natives of Pennsylvania, the former having been
born in Lancaster County. Jonas was raised on a farm in his native
state, receiving a common school education. When the war broke out
he enlisted in Company B, Ninety-fourth Ohio, as private, and after
being in the service for three years, he was discharged as first sergeant.
In 1866 he removed to this county, and for eleven years has been located
on his present farm, consisting of 245 acres. He has 150 apple trees, and
choice varieties of peaches, cherries, etc. Mr. Whitmer has been engaged
in teaching in the schools of Holt and Atchison Counties, for several
years, and as an instructor is very successful. Religiously, he is a Meth-
odist, and in politics a Republican. In 1874 he was married to Miss
Jane Pollock, daughter of Mr. David Pollock. Mr. W. is an energetic
and prominent agriculturist of this township.
H. L. ZACHARY,
farmer, section 7, is a native of Pulaski County, Kentucky, and was
born on December 4, 1854. His father, B. J. Zachary, a tiller of the
soil, was a Kentuckian by birth, as was also his mother, whose maiden
name was Nancy Paschal. In 1864 H. L. Zachary came to Missouri,
and one year later, in 1865, he located in Holt County. His youth was
spent partly in Kentucky and also in Hancock County, Illinois, and
Nodaway and Holt Counties, Missouri. After living in this county for
three years he moved to Graham and made his home in Nodaway
County for nine years, at the close of which period he returned to Holt
County in 1877. His education was obtained in the common schools of
his different places of residence. Mr. Zachary is the owner of eighty
acres of land. His marriage occurred April 19, 1881, when Miss C. C.
Norick, daughter of Jacob Norick, became his wife.
CHAPTER XVI.
NODAWAY TOWNSHIP.
NODAWAY TOWNSHIP— PHYSICAL FEATURES— EARLY SETTLERS-CHURCHES-SCHOOLS—
MILLS— RICHVILLE-FRUIT-EARLY PUGILISTS— TIMBER— BIOGRAPHICAL.
BOUNDARIES.
The section of country formerly known as Nodaway Township, we
have already described as one of the two original divisions of Holt
County, when the same included all of Atchison County, and a portion
of the State of Iowa, embracing a greater portion of the present areas
of Forbes, Nodaway, Hickory and Clay Townships. By the erection of
other municipal towships, it was, from time to time reduced, till by the
organization of Hickory Township, June 17, 1874, it was circumscribed
within its present comparatively insignificant limits of about five miles
square-, rendering it with the exception of Lincoln, the smallest town-
ship in the county. It is bounded on the north by Hickory Township ;
on the east by Andrew County, from which it is separated by the Noda-
way River ; on the south by Forbes Township, and on the west by Lewis
Township.
PHYSICAL FEATURES.
The surface of the present township of Nodaway is varied. The
greater proportion, however, is either prairie or cleared timber. Most
of the timber is found on the Nodaway River bluffs. Nickol's Grove,
described as lying in the southeast corner of Hickory Township, extends
southward into Nodaway. This grove, as before stated, was the first
settled portion of this part of the county.
EARLY SETTLERS.
The first settler to locate there was Frank Nickols, a brother of
Robert and Frank, who had settled in that portion of the grove which
lies in what is now Hickory Township. Robert Nickols was the pioneer,
and through his influence, John and Frank shortly after arrived in the
county, the latter locating in that part of the grove included within the
limits of the present township of Nodaway, as above stated. Oakley
43§ HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
Morris, who still (1882) resides in the township, settled therein 1840 ;
A. C. Bevan, in 1841, from Washington, District of Columbia. Among
the other early settlers of this section of the county were I. W. Jones,
Elias Evans, Townsend Evans, Burril Evans and Melvin Evans, from
Indiana ; Henry Patterson, John Meyer and Gotlieb Meyer. David Tem-
pleton and family, also from Indiana, were among the very earliest set-
tlers of Nodaway Township, as was also Colonel John W. Kelley, after-
wards the first attorney admitted to the bar of Holt County. David
Templeton arrived in the county with four sons. Monroe Templeton
located near the site of what was afterwards the town of Richville. John
Norvel, a native of Tennessee, but directly from Kentucky to this State,
settled in Nodaway Township in 1847.
At an early period came Jacob Kunkel from Ohio, Henry Marion,
both since dead; W. Jones and Alexander Jones, both from Illinois;
Daniel Holman, from Clay County, Missouri ; Ephraim Adams, Willis
Brockman, A. J. Hollister, from Ohio ; Beecham, Rice, the Patricks,
Bornberger, Hiram Shutzer, Jesse Carroll and others, were among the
earliest settlers of the township, arriving some time previous to the
coming of some of the above mentioned. Richard Barkhurst, the first
Representative in the Legislature from Holt County, lived in 1842 on
the southeast quarter section 23, township 60, range 37, on a farm now
owned by Mrs. Mclntyre, in this township.
CHURCHES.
t
One of the earliest religious organizations in Holt County, was
effected in Nodaway Township, in 1840. This was a Missionary Baptist
Church, of which the Rev. Ebo Tucker was first pastor, This church, at
the period of its original organization, had thirteen male members,
beside their families. Among these were John Norvel, who still resides
in the township, Willis Brockman, Shelton Arterbury and Thomas Wick-
ham, also Levi Rhule, John Robinson, Lewis Jones, John McFadden and
Preston Ham. The records of this primitive church are lost, and it is
impossible to obtain much more extended information of the original
membership. The first meetings of this church were in groves in the
summer season, and, as the country advanced, in school houses, which
the intelligent pioneers lost but little time in erecting, after their arrival
in the country. In i860, they built a brick church, on land then owned
by Francis Nickols, and donated by him for that purpose. This building
stands near the south boundary of the southeast quarter of section 8,
township 60, range 37, west, on an eighty acre tract, now (1882) owned by
Gotleib Meyer. It was originally styled Nickols' Grove Church. At the
breaking out of the civil war, the church was not entirely completed.
It was, however, occupied and used for religious purposes by the one
NODAWAY TOWNSHIP. 439
hundred and fifty-two members, who composed the organization. These
members were nearly, if not all, southern sympathizers or rebels, and,
as a natural consequence, the church, by the fortune of war, went down.
After the rebellion, a number of emigrants, chiefly Germans from the
State of Ohio, settled in the neighborhood, as the original settlers and
members of the pioneer church moved away, or had failed to return after
the proclamation of peace. The building stands unoccupied and verging
upon dilapidation, a monument of the religious enterprise of the past.
The congregation, now (1882) reduced to a membership of fifty-seven,
meet in a school house in the hamlet of Richville, a mile and a half east
and two miles and a half south of the site of the old church. John Nor-
vel is deacon of this organization, which at present is without a regular
pastor.
The Methodist Episcopal Church at Richville, was organized about
the year 1840, shortly after the Baptists. The Templetons and Evanses
were among the original organizers of this church. The building, a
brick structure, 40x30 feet, was erected about 1855, some five years
before the village of Richville, in which it now stands, was laid out. The
first Methodist preacher to exercise his calling in this township, was
Rev. James Baker. About 1844 the Methodists held a camp-meeting
in section 27, township 60, range 27, on a farm at that time owned by
David Templeton, one of the earliest settlers of the county, and the first
county surveyor appointed.
The Church of the Evangelical Association, on the northwest quar-
ter of section 17, township 60, range 37, near the northwest corner of
the farm now (1882) owned by Joseph Anselment, was a brick building
erected in 1868, at a cost of $3,200. This structure was blown down by
a hurricane, in 1879. A frame building was, in the spring of 1880, built
on the old foundation, 36x46 feet, at a cost of $1,500. The original
members of this church, or "class," were Adam Rung, Ulrich Bucher,
Joseph Anselment, Daniel and Henry Zachman and Henry Smith and
their wives. The present membership of this church is seventy-five.
The first minister of the church, by whom the original class was first
formed, was the Rev. Henry Hass. His successors, in regular order
have been Revs. John Worth, McKessin, Henry Mattil, John Beck, E.
Evans, S. J. Seip, and the present (1882) minister, Rev. Charles Linge,
called in 1879.
The German Methodists were organized from the congregation in
Oregon, in 1858. In the fall of 1881, they built a frame church 44x28
feet area, with 14 feet ceiling. This is known as Emanuel M. E. Church.
It was completed at a cost of about $1,500. The church edifice is about
two miles east of the church of the Evangelical Association, and stands
on a farm formerly the property of R. Davidson, but now owned by
Kramer. The present congregation was organized by Rev. C. Herrman,
44° HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
January, 1880, with the following members: John Hunnaker and wife,
Adam Smith and wife, Charles Hilsenbeck, Martin Yetter, John Planalp,
George Hornecker, Fred Kramer, John Kaltenback, William Opal, John
Bahler, C- Michel, John Meyer, John Barts, Ulrich Burger and Fred
Meister. The wives of the above mentioned were also members of this
organization, as was also Mrs. Gottlieb Meyer.
SCHOOLS.
The first school within the limits of what is now Nodaway Township,
was taught in 1848, by James Scott, now (1882) a resident of the town of
Oregon. The building was a hewed log house. It stood on section 10,
township 60, range 37, on a farm then owned by Jacob Kunkel, but now
the property of John Honecker.
MILLS.
One of the oldest flouring mills in Holt County is located within
the present limits of Nodaway Township. This is still known as Hol-
lister's Mill, though now (1882) the property of the Warner Bros. It is
recorded on page 143 of the Session Acts of 1843 that Jacob Gingery,
Michael T. Sommers and Barney Harper were authorized to build a
dam for milling purposes on the Nodaway River where said river passes
through section 11, township 60, range 37. This is near the northeast
corner of the southeast quarter of said section, and is the dam that was
erected to afford power for the Hollister Mill, which was completed in
the spring of 1847, and is still recognized as an important element of
the manufacturing interests of the county. The mill was destroyed by
fire before the civil war but was afterwards rebuilt. It is a three-run
mill, and first-class in all its appointments. It is still operated by water
power. A. G. Hollister, who owned the mill, was a member of the State
Legislature from 1862 to 1866, and was one of the famous committee of
seventy sent to Washington to secure a more radical policy in the con-
duct of the war in Missouri. About 1873 he moved to Santa Barbara,
California.
A toll bridge was built by private enterprise at this point about the
beginning of the war. This was the second bridge built on the Noda-
way in Missouri.
Ellington's Ferry, one of the oldest crossings of the Nodaway River,
was established as early as 1841, near the northeast corner of section 11,
township 60, range 37. On the establishment of Hollister's Mill, about
half a mile lower down, it was moved to that point. This was about
1843. It continued to be operated until the building of the bridge, above
mentioned. The old State road, surveyed by Robison, of Andrew
County, in 1843, from section 36, on the Nodaway River to Oregon, at
NODAWAY TOWNSHIP. 44 1
first connected with the old Shellingbarger Ferry, at that point. There
was, subsequently, a bridge put in there, at the expense of the county.
It was built by a Mormon, by the name of Woodnut. This bridge, the
first erected over the river, soon washed away. The old State Ferry is
now at this point. The rapids of the Nodaway extend across, from the
southwest quarter of section 24, township 60, range 37. Toole's, or Bark-
hurst's, Ferry was located there. The old road from Savannah to Ore-
gon here crossed the Nodaway. In 1842 the river was fordable at this
point, which was on the farm then owned by Hon. Richard Barkhurst,
as above stated. This was the first ferry established, by law, in Holt
County, and license to keep it was granted to Richard M. Barkhurst, by
the county court at its first session, March 24, 1841.
Anselment's Mill, in the northeast quarter of section 17, township
60, range 37, Nodaway Township, stands at the confluence of a small
tributary with Nickol's Creek, which here flows northward into Hickory
Township. It is near the center of the north boundary line of the quarter
section which is owned by Joseph Anselment. The mill, when first built
by Henry Kunkel, in 1850, was a water power saw mill. In those days
water was more abundant than it is at present, and streams, which are
hardly worthy of the name now, then afforded efficient and almost unfail-
ing power. In 1872 the present grist mill was built, a two story frame
structure on a high stone basement. It is fitted up with two run of
burrs. Besides the Lefel turbine wheel, which is utilized when there is
sufficient water to afford the necessary power, this mill is provided with
a twenty-nine horse power steam engine, and does an excellent business.
The only town within the present limits of Nodaway Township is
the small hamlet of
RICHVILLE.
Its site extends from the southwest corner of the northwest quarter
to the northwest corner of the southwest quarter of section 27, town-
ship 60, range 37. It was laid out in i860, by Thomas Templeton, a son
of the pioneer. A son-in-law of Templeton, a man by the name of
Gregg, was the first to sell goods there. Dresden succeeded him. Dur-
ing the war, Walter Lloyd started a small store in the place, and sold
goods as late as 1878.
The most important building in the village, or rather, in its imme-
diate neighborhood, is the brick Methodist Church above referred to.
In its best days, Richville contained but five families, and it never
enjoyed the convenience of a post office.
Doctors Norman, Thorp and Dozier practiced in the locality now
known as Nodaway Township, from the earliest period of the settlement
of the same, but as late as 1847, there was no resident physician within
the territory included in its present limits.
442 HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
Henry Hornecker, who was killed in the civil war, and William Cook
were blacksmithing there in 1847.
Nodaway Township, in point of natural advantages, as well as of
added improvements, is inferior to no other portion of the county.
Fruit of all kinds, which constitutes so large a portion of the export
wealth of the county, is extensively grown in this township, and some
•of the largest as well as some of the finest orchards in the county are
located in Nodaway Township. Of these the largest, but by no means
the best in any sense of the word, is on the southwest quarter of section
18, township 60, range 37, on a farm now owned by E. C. Nuzum. The
farm, which includes 840 acres, was formerly the property of Jabez Beau-
mont. The orchard planted by him in 1865 covered the entire quarter
section on which it remains, — no inconsiderable relic — still appears.
Three years after this orchard was set out a fire in tall grass communi-
cated to the trees and destroyed eighty-five acres of apple trees in the
center of the orchard. This disaster occurred in 1868. The destroyed
trees were never replaced. Jabez Beaumont, who had moved from the
State of Minnesota to this county, afterwards sold the 840 acre farm on
which this orchard was planted to the present proprietor for $26,000.
Mr. Nuzum has always been a resident of Kansas, and the farm has been
worked by renters. Though there are still seventy-five acres of bearing
apple trees on the place, there are in the county smaller orchards which
are equally as productive, if not more so.
Henry Zackman, who has a fine orchard in the northwest quarter of
section 8, in Nodaway Township, also manufactures sorghum. He
employs in the working season three hands.
EARLY PUGILISTS.
A notable incident in the history of the early settlement of Noda-
way Township, was a fisticuff duel which occurred in 1843, tne result of
a dispute growing out of the conflicting claims of two parties to the
same piece of land in Nickols' Grove. These were Frank Nickols and
I. W. Jones. Seconds were chosen, a circle formed, and all the formali-
ties of the ring maintained in the presence of about 200 spectators
who had assembled to witness the contest. The combatants were
nearly equally matched and the victory long remained doubtful. For-
tune at last decided in favor of Nickols, who took possession of the
■claim without further dispute.
TIMBER.
Nodaway Township, with an abundant supply of timber for all
necessary uses, is also excellently well watered. Besides the Nodaway
River along its entire eastern boundary, Nickols Creek, before men-
NODAWAY TOWNSHIP. 443
tioned flows in a northerly direction into Hickory Township, whence it
flows in an easterly course into the Nodaway River.
Carroll's Branch heads in the southern part of the township and
flows in a northeasterly direction, emptying into the Nodaway near the
south boundary of the southeast quarter of section 14, township 60,
range 37.
Mill Creek, a considerable stream of the county, rises in the south-
western part of Nodaway Township and flows in a southwesterly course
into and through Lewis Township into the Little Tarkio, which it enters
two and a half miles south by east of Forest City.
He&3MMlH&
<&^s
^BIOGRAPHICAL. •*
RICHARD ACTON,
section. 17, was born January 14, 1828, and is a native of Richland
County, Ohio. His parents, Henry and Sarah Acton, were both born in
Maryland, the former being a farmer by occupation. Richard passed
his earlier days in learning the carpenter and joiner's trade. In 1847,
he came to Missouri, and on the 14th of July of that year, located in
Holt County, where he now owns 170 acres of land. Since living here,
he has been a very successful builder, having erected many of the best
residences and barns in this part of the county, and has contributed
much towards the enterprise of the county. During the war he belonged
to the State Militia, and was a strong Union man. In 1863, he was
elected justice of the peace, and has continued to discharge the duties
of that position very acceptably. During the fall and winter of i88i,he
spent some six months traveling through California, Oregon and Wash-
ington Territory. He is a member of the Odd Fellows' traternity, and
politically is a Republican. Mr. Acton was married to Mary E. Brock-
man, of this county, who was born in Kentucky, July 26, 1828. Her
father, Willis Brockman, was born in Virginia, reared in Kentucky, and
in 1828, came to Monroe County, Missouri, and to this county in Octo-
ber, 1843. He married Harriet F. Clemmins, in Kentucky, and by this
union there were nine children. Upon coming here, Mr. B. settled on
section 15, and toiled hard to improve a farm. He died in 1858, and his
wife in 1868. Mr. and Mrs. Acton have nine children living: David W.,
John H., Jennie, George W., Dora S., Bsnjamin F., Emma P., James W.,
and Martha S. Mrs. Acton is a member of the Baptist Church.
444 HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
JOHN BOWER,
section 16, was born in Hessen, Germany, on the 13th of August, 1842,
and was the son of John and Anna (Beach) Bower, both natives of Ger-
many. John Jr., received a common school education. When he was a
small boy his father died, and the mother marrying again, he was reared
by a shiftless step-father. In 185 1, he was brought to this country, and
worked at home until he was eighteen years of age. In 1861 he enlisted
in the Eighty-second Ohio, and in 1864 veteranized, and continued in
service until the surrender of Johnston, in 1865. He was in the battles
of Bull Run, Chancellorsville and the principal engagements until that
of Mission Ridge. After returning from the war he was married Sep-
tember 4, 1866, in Ohio, to Sarah A. Anselment, daughter of Joseph
Anselment, who was born in Wurtemburg, Germany. In 1867 he came
to Missouri, settling in Holt County, and located on the section where he
now resides. He has made a valuable farm of 130 acres, and has anl
orchard of five acres. In 1881 he erected a commodious residence, and
has made many improvements upon his place. In 1877 Mr. Bower was
ordained to preach the gospel, and joined the Kansas Conference, after
which he traveled for four years, when he returned to his farm. He is a
close student, devoting much time to books, and is well informed upon
leading topics of the day. Mr. and Mrs. Bower have four children,
Emma C, Henry Edward, Claretta and Bertha R. He is a Republican
in politics, and belongs to the Evangelical Association.
JOHN BRODBECK, '
deceased, was born in York County, Pennsylvania, in December, 18 14.
His father, John Brodbeck, was a blacksmith by occupation, and the son
also learned the trade and worked with his father until he was 25 years
old. In April, 1841, he married Miss Susan Linn, in Ohio. She was the
daughter of Samuel Linn of Baltimore County, Maryland, who moved to
Columbiana County, Ohio, in 1 840. Of this union there are now four
children living : Amelia B., married Samuel Nash ; Ann Rebecca, wife of
Josiah Hershaner ; Mary Alice, (now Mrs. Jacob Maple,) and John Henry.
Mr. B. first started a blacksmith shop in Richland County, Ohio, and for
twelve years did a large business. Desiring to move west, in 1854 he
came to Holt County, Missouri, and bought a large farm, which he
improved. He afterwards bought and sold land until he had in his
possession some 400 acres. He made substantial improvements upon
his place, erected a good residence, and had everything around him
desirable, at the time of his death, which occurred March 1, 1874. He
left an affectionate wife and family, and a large circle of friends to mourn
his loss. Mr. B. was for many years a justice of the peace, and was a
NODAWAY TOWNSHIP. 445
peace-maker, as a neighbor and friend, rather than as a justice of the
peace by law. Since his death Mrs. B. has conducted the farm, which is
located on section 26.
MATHEW GELVIN,
farmer and stock dealer, section 19, was born in Franklin County, Penn-
sylvania, December 11, 1838. His father was James Gelvin, a large
farmer and dealer in stock in Pennsylvania, and his mother, formerly
Mary Zimmerman, was born in Frarjklin County, Pennsylvania. Mathew's
youth was spent at school and in assisting his father. When ten years
of age he was taken to Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, and in 1868
he came to this state and county, and bought a farm where he now lives.
This contains 237 acres. He is a Republican in politics and a Presby-
terian in his religious preferences. Mr. G. married Miss Mary Elizabeth
Tritt, December 20, i860. She is the daughter of George Tritt, formerly
of Franklin County, Pennsylvania. They have seven children : Sarah C,
James Tritt, Elia May, Anna Bell, George Edgar, Mary Zarilda, and
Orrin Dixon Garfield. Mr. G. came here with a small colony of rela-
tives, from Pennsylvania. They bought farms, and are among the sub-
stantial farmers of the county. He was taught, from early boyhood, by
his father, to buy stock and has made it the study of his life. His repu-
tation as a stockman is a prominent one, and his counsel and advise is
often sought for by those less experienced in the business. He is always
prompt in fulfilling his contracts, even if sometimes at a great sacrifice.
He takes a great interest in educational matters, and is endeavoring to
give his children superior advantages for acquiring the same.
SAMUEL HARDY,
farmer and fruit grower, section 34, was born in Loudoun County, Vir-
ginia, December 27, 183 1. His father afterwards moved to Decatur
County, Indiana, and settled on a farm which he improved. In 1854
Young Samuel went to Iowa to seek his fortune, but after remaining for
two years he came to this county and bought a small place, to which he
has added from time to time until now he has a good farm of 184 acres.
He has devoted much time to his fruit, and has an orchard of about
1,000 trees, of choice varieties. Connected with his fruit business is a
fine Zimmerman Fruit Dryer, which dries apples and peaches to perfec-
tion. His enterprise in this business is quite commendable, and he is
succeeding in his undertaking. Mr. Hardy married Miss Sarah Ann
Castledine, in Decatur County, Indiana, February 19, 1852. They have
five children living : Oliver Perry, William Arthur, John Torrence,
Alnora and Orlando Guy. Oliver P. married Catharine Comer, and
lives at home. Mr. Hardy was a member of the Ninth Regiment Missouri
446 HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
State Militia during the war, and served faithfully to the close. In
politics he is a Democrat.
ISAAC H. IDDINGS,
deceased, was born in Guilford County, North Carolina, March 2, 1813,
and in 1836 moved to Indiana. He learned the wagonmaker and also
the gunsmith trades in youth, and first opened a wagon shop near Peru,
Indiana, where he worked until 1843, when he sold out and moved to
Holt County, Missouri. Here he bought a farm and improved it, and
after six years sold out and purchased the one where he lived and died,
in section 27, consisting of 261 acres. He erected a house and other-
wise improved the farm, and also worked more or less at his trades.
He married Miss Sarah Ann Burnett, in Miami County, Indiana, August
28, 1838. There are from this union five children living: Mary Ellen,
(who married Mr. A. Louks); Sarena Frances, (wife of H. H. Liven-
good); James Madison, Isaac and Frank S. Four are deceased.
Julian A. enlisted in Company A, Seventh Kansas Cavalry, during the
war and died at Corinth, Mississippi. Mr. Iddings died April 16, 1S68.
He was for several years county judge and filled the office ably and hon-
orably. His advice and opinion were often sought for and respected,
and he was beloved by all who knew him. He was a member of the
M. E. Church, was an active Republican and a Mason. He was in the
Mexican War and proved himself to be a valiant soldier.
JAMES KNEALE,
farmer and stock raiser, is the owner of 800 acres of land, his home being
on section 16. He was born on the Isle of Man, April 7, 1824, and
received a common school education. During his youth he was appren-
ticed for five years to the shoemaker's trade, but not being able to work
at that calling, was engaged in a bonded ware house in Liverpool for two
years. In 1849 he emigrated to this country, and came directly to Holt
County. He worked for four years by the month, then rented a farm in
Andrew County for several years, and in i860, went to Brown County,
Kansas, where he bought land, remaining in that locality for five years.
Upon selling out, he bought 160 acres of the farm where he now lives.
This he improved, toiled hard, and by economizing, has obtained one of
the best farms in the township, ten acres being devoted to an orchard.
He is active in his business transactions, and very energetic. Mr. Kneale
married Miss Ruth Ann Wickham, in 1853. Her father, Thomas Wick-
ham, was born in New Jersey, and was brought up in Ohio. Mr. and Mrs.
K. have eleven children living, William, Edward, John J., Mary Ann,
Sarah Jane, Martha Elizabeth, Robert, Frank, Isabel, Luella and Daniel
NODAWAY TOWNSHIP. 447
Thomas. William was married to Clara Nevens ; Edward married
Lizzie Banc ; John married Anna Buckston ; Sarah is the wife of John
Carrol ; Mary is now Mrs. William F. Driher. Mr. K. is a Republican in
politics, and contributes toward the support of the Methodists. He is-
genial in manners and has hosts of friends.
ISAAC KURTZ,
farmer, section 19, was born in Baden, Germany, February 6, 1833, and
in 1855 came to this country, settling in Holt County, and in this town-
ship. Soon after he rented a farm for three years, after which he pur-
chased it, and since that time has made all his extensive improvements,
erected his fine residence and made several additions to his farm, now
having 380 acres of good land. He has a fine orchard of all varieties of
fruit. Mr. K. was married in Holt County, to Miss Mary Seamann, of
Germany, in 1857. They have a family of thirteen industrious children:
George F., Jacob, Fredrick, William Henry, John Wesley, Albert,
Daniel, Mary Ellen, Charles, Isaac, Lydia, Lewis and Elliot. Arriving
in the United States, Mr. K. had just money enough to get to St. Louisa
and was obliged to remain there and work in order to obtain means suf-
ficient to reach his future home. He has risen gradually to his present
enviable position, and is a worthy example of what energy and a deter-
mined spirit can do, when coupled with ambitious desires.
OAKLEY MORRIS,
farmer and stock raiser, section 10, was born in Sussex County, New
Jersey, in September, 1812. He received a limited education, and was
brought up to the business of farming, which has been his life work. In
1839 he came to Buchanan County, Missouri, worked in a sawmill on the
One Hundred and Two River, and in 1840 was employed on a farm in Holt
County, near where he now lives. In 1841-2 he worked in a mill north-
east of St. Joseph. The county of Holt was organized in the fall of
1842, and in the spring of 1843 he moved on the land where he now lives.
He owns 547 acres. Mr. Morris married Miss Hannah Campbell, April
6, 1843. She was the daughter of Ezekiel Campbell, of East Tennessee,
and there Mrs. M. was born. They have eight children living : William'
M., Mary Jane, Robert F., Andrew H., Margaret Ellen, James C, Martha
S., and John W. Mr. M. has given his children excellent opportunities
for an education, at the State University and other noted places of
instruction. All but three are and have been very successful teachers ;
William M., if possible, excelled as such, and gained for himself an-
enviable reputation. He has for several years been the efficient county
surveyor, filling the position to the satisfaction of all. Mr. Morris came-
44§ HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
here poor, and his large possessions are the products of his hard labor
and industry. He has always been prompt in his business engage-
ments, and being one of the pioneers, has seen the growth of the county
from the first. He sawed the lumber to cover the first court house, which
is still used as a business house in the city of Oregon. He is a Repub-
lican, and was brought up a Presbyterian. Mrs. M. is a member of the
M. E. Church.
HENRY PATTERSON,
section 32, was born in County Donegal, Ireland, June 14, 1814, and was
the son of William and Catharine (Lucas) Patterson, both natives of
Ireland. Henry passed his youth in his native country, and received
his education there. Immigrating to the United States, he, with Edwin
Toole, located on the present site of Savannah, in August, 1837, when
it was said that there were but twelve actual settlers in the Platte Pur-
chase. He there entered a claim within one mile of the town, and also
owned the land where the depot now is, improving a good farm. This
he sold in 1858, and came to this (Holt) County, locating in Nodaway
Township, where he bought his present place. This he has cultivated
and beautified until he now owns 280 acres of land, with a fine orchard,
and a good residence. Mr. P. is a natural mechanic, and while in Savan-
nah, he commenced the cabinet business, doing a large trade for many
years. He now does his own blacksmithing and carpenter work. He
is Democratic in politics, a Universalist, and belongs to the Masonic fra-
ternity. Mr. Patterson has been twice married : First, in February,
1840, to Miss Cinderilla Ann Coble, who died in November, 1863, leav-
ing a family of: William H., Robert L., George T., Charles Albert, Cin-
derilla Ann Williams, John C. and Emma J. His-second marriage'was
in 1865, to Elizabeth Mackey, widow of James Mackey. She died 01
April 3, 1876. Mr. Patterson's son, Charles A., is managing the fan
business, and taking charge of the place in a satisfactory manner. The
household affairs are presided over by the youngest daughter, Emma J.,
who is a capable young lady.
HENRY B. YOUNG,
farmer and stock raiser, owns 198 acres of land, his home being in sec-
tion 20. He was born in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, March 26,
1833. He was raised a farmer and remained in his native state until h(
came west. In November, i860, he married Miss Margaret Jane Tritt,
in Pennsylvania. They have ten children living: Ida Belle (who mar-
ried William Derr), Sarah Alice, Isadore A., John Alfred, Mary C.
Margaretta, George Calvin, Lotta Myrtle and Laura Ellen (twins), anc
Emma Mable. In April, 1868, Mr. Young came to this county in com-
NODAWAY TOWNSHIP. 44c/
pany with his father, John Young, George Tritt, his wife's father,
Mathew Gelvin, a brother-in-law, and Thomas Fry, all with families and
relatives. They all bought farms except Mr. Fry, who has a meat mar-
ket in Oregon. Mr. Young purchased some land, much of it being
unimproved, but has obtained a desirable farm and home. He has
made many improvements, fixing over, and has a fine residence. He
has set out an orchard of 500 apple trees and 1,000 peach trees, with
pears, cherries, etc. He has been an industrious, hard-working man,
and is one of the successful farmers of the county. Politically he is a
Republican, and religiously is Presbyterian. John Young, the father of
Henry B., was born in Adams County, Pennsylvania, April 15, 1809,
and was raised in York County until 1828, when he moved to Cumber-
land County. He learned the masons' trade in youth, which has been
his life work. He married Catherine Baker, of Cumberland County, in
1832. They have three children living by this union : Henry B., Susan
J., (wife of James W. Green), and Kate M., (who married Thomas Fry,
of Oregon). They lost three : Charles died in 1857, Thad Stevens died
in 1861, and Sadie Ellen died in 1873. Mrs. Young died in 1854. He
married for his second wife Miss Ellen Bush in 1859. In ^68 he came
to Holt County, Missouri, and bought a farm near his son Henry. Mr.
Y. has been a contractor and builder for many years. As a brick
mason his reputation stood very high, and as a man of integrity and
honor he is respected by all. He is Republican in politics and a Pres-
byterian in religious faith.
SSfi
CHAPTER XVII.
UNION TOWNSHIP.
BOUNDARIES -PHYSICAL FEATURES— EARLY SETTLERS- "EFUNCT TOWNS— CHURCHES—
CRAIG-CHURCHES AND SOCIETIES— THE FLOOD— WHEN TOWN WAS CHARTERED
BUSINESS DIRECTORY— BIOGRAPHICAL.
Union Township is bounded on the north by Lincoln Township, and
two miles of Atchison County ; on the east by Liberty and Benton Town-
ships ; on the south by Bigelow Township, and on the west by Lincoln
Township and the State of Nebraska, from which it is separated by the
Missouri River. '
PHYSICAL FEATURES.
In common with other parts of the county, Union Township is well
watered. The Big Tarkio from Lincoln Township, enters Union in the
northeast quarter of section 33, township 63, range 40, and flows in a
generally southeasterly course, passing wholly or in part through four-
teen sections, and making its exit from section 32, in its southeast cor-
ner. John E. Hearl built, many years since, a water-power gristmill on
the northeast quarter of section 30, township 62, range 39, just south of
the section line. This is at a point called, from the circumstance of the
Little Tarkio flowing within three hundred yards of the channel of the
Big Tarkio, the Narrows. The water that turned this mill was conveyed
by a race from the Little Tarkio. The fall here is fourteen and a half
feet. The Big Tarkio, whence it flows out of Union Township in section
32, measured, when first surveyed, 136 links in width. Carl Shults built
on its site what is now known as Little Tarkio grist mill, a water power
now owned and operated by Mr. Stumbo. The Guilliam's water power
grist mill, three miles above Craig, on Big Tarkio, in the northwest quar-
ter of section 34, township 63, range 40, was in operation as early as
1855 or 1856. It operates two run of burrs. The Little Tarkio enters
Holt County by two branches, one in section 19, and the other in section
20 township 63, range 39, of what is now Union Township, and uniting
in section 19, flows in a generally southerly course through seven sec-
tions, then bends, at the Narrows, flowing out through section 20, into
Benton Township. Hogrefe Lake, formerly Shults and subsequently
Wallace Lake, extends from Lincoln Township into the northwest corner
of section 17, township 62, range 40. In 1841, J. Wallace and A. Martin
settled on its banks. They were the first to locate in that neighborhood.
UNION TOWNSHIP. 45 I
The bluff range entering Union Township in section 34, township
63, range 40, extends in a southeasterly direction, leaving its limits in
the northeast corner of section 17. Nearly three-fourths of the area of
this township is bottom land, and, with the exception of a heavy belt
two or three miles wide of timber along the river bank, is generally
prairie. This is all settled, and much of it is in a high state of cultiva-
tion, and enormously productive. Some excellent improvements also
exist in the upland districts to the eastward of the bluff range.
EARLY SETTLERS.
The first locality settled, in what is now Union Township, is also
the oldest settlement in the northwest part of the county. It is known
as Sharpe's Grove, and is a mile or two north of the present town of
Craig. The grove includes six or seven square miles of timber, mostly
in the bluffs, and, to this day (1882), abounds with wolves and wild tur-
keys. The timber of the grove, which has been growing and spreading
ever since the first settlement of the county, is an item of considerable
value in the same.
The original settlers of the grove were W. A. and Abraham Sharpe,
who came from Bracken County, Kentucky, in the fall of 1841, and set-
tled in their present homes in that locality. John Wise also came in the
same year. Jacob Rugh came from Pennsylvania, in 1842, and settled
in Sharpe's Grove. In the same year came Joseph Scott, Daniel Hoghan,
and J. Kelso. Daniel David, of Indiana, now a prominent citizen of the
town of Oregon, and Charles David, his son, a representative merchant
of Craig, settled in what is now Union Township, in 1843. In the same
year came Joseph Scott, Samuel Thompson and A. McDonald, who died
many years ago. They also were among the earliest of those who settled
in the grove.
Colonel Hughes and his son-in-law, Samuel Russell, were among the
earliest settlers in the bottom region of the township. The first farm
across Little Tarkio, near the bluff, was improved by Abner Norris, who'
was among the earliest settlers of the county. Mr. Norris afterward
moved to Iowa. J. B. Wright first settled in the bottom, but subse-
quently made his home in Sharpe's Grove. L. Dawson was also a very
early settler. In 1844 also came George Heir, A. Hoppy, William Beau-
camp and A. J. Williams ; C. M. Guilliams, Alfred C. Taylor and C. C.
Cunningham settled in the township in 1845.
DEFUNCT TOWNS.
The earliest attempt to start a town in the territory included within
the present limits of Union Township, was inaugurated by the Lewises.
45 2 HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
Lewisville was laid out on section 19, township 62, range 40, by Jasper
G. and Elizabeth Lewis, March 6, 1850.
On the adjoining section, (20), Marietta was laid out, four years after,
by Barlow Lewis. S. C. Collins and David Templeton surveyed the sites.
These towns never amounted to much more than mere wood landings
for boats. The small stores started at these points proved failures, and
were early abandoned. The sites of these still born enterprises have
long since crumbled into the insatiable maw of the turbid Missouri, and,
but for the faithful chronicles of this history, would soon be forever lost
to the memory of man.
A once noted point in what is now Union Township was in the
southeast quarter o) section 34, township 63, range 40, on the main road
leading from Ellington's Ferry to Council Bluffs. This was a station on
the stage line, and as early as 1841 a man by the name of Daniel Durbin,
a noted character of those days, kept a hotel here. The structure of his
hotel was a double log house. He also kept a ferry here, across the
Tarkio, before the bridge was built. Durbin moved to California in 1844,
and was killed there. This ferry was also known as Army Ford.
CHURCHES.
The first church erected within the present limits of Union Town-
ship was built by the Christians, in 1877. It is a frame building, 40x6c
feet in extent. It stands near the northwest corner of the southwest
quarter of section 35, about four miles south of the town of Craig, anc
within one-half mile of the southern boundary of the township. It is
named, in honor of Joshua Kelso, " The Kelso Church." The two acres of
land attached to this church was deeded to the same by Calvin Guil-
liams. The congregation was organized by Elder Kelsey. In 1879 the
Methodist Episcopal Church, South, was permitted to occupy the build-
ing when not required for the services of the owners of the same.
Three miles west of Craig, the Evangelical Lutheran Church, a
frame building, 22x36 feet in extent, was erected in 1877, at a cost of
$400. The congregation was organized with ten members. This now
(1882) includes a membership of twenty-four. The first minister of this
■church was Rev. C. F. Scholz. He effected the organization and
remained in charge till November, 188 1, when he was succeeded by the
present (1882) pastor, Rev. C. H. Leutsch.
CRAIG,
in point of commercial importance the second place in the county, is
also the business center of Union Township. It occupies the southeast
corner of section 11, and the northeast corner of section 14, in township
UNION TOWNSHIP. 453
62, range 40, on the main line of the Kansas City, St. Joseph and Council
Bluffs Railroad, which was completed to this point in the summer of
1868. The town limits extend to the waters of the Big Tarkio, which,
at this point, is spanned by an iron King bridge, 105 feet long, erected
in 188 1, at a cost of four thousand dollars, just after the great flood of
April of that year, in which the original structure was swept away. The
railroad bridge, a few hundred yards above, is also a substantial iron
structure, on massive stone piers. This was erected in the same year
by the Central Bridge Company, of Wall Street, New York.
The site of the town is a dead level in the Missouri River bottom,
which, at this point is eight hundred and eighty feet above the level of
the sea. It is about half a mile southwest of the bluff range, in full view
of the forest of Sharpe's Grove.
The town of Craig was laid out early in the fall of 1868, by the
original proprietors, Robert W. Frame, Christ Shults and Samuel Ens-
worth. Its present (1882) population is between 600 and 700.
The first to sell goods in the place was A. W. Hawley. He began
in the fall of 1868. Immediately after, Shults & Frame, who were selling
goods and keeping a post office, called Tarkio, in a house one and three-
quarter miles northeast of the site of the town, moved their stock to the
new town and commenced business. This Tarkio was nearly a mile
below the noted watering place, one half a mile east of Craig, and is still
known as the Big Spring. It is at the foot of the bluff, and was a regu-
lar halting place on the great route from St. Joseph over the hills via
Savannah, Fillmore and Hollister's Mill, to North Point, afterwards
Mound City, whence the road followed the foot of the bluffs to the cross-
ing of the Little Tarkio, where the state road branched off to Rock Port.
The trading post of Tarkio remained at this point, on the Little Tarkio,
till the growing importance of the new town of Craig absorbed its busi-
ness.
The first blacksmith to open a shop in Craig, was J. A. Orange, who,
in September, 1868, erected the first building in the town and opened
it as the Grant and Sherman House. This he continued to keep till
1873, when he sold out. The building, which has since changed hands,
several times, has been considerably enlarged and improved, since that
day, especially by the present (1882) proprietor, P. B. Cook. It is now
the Craig Hotel.
Shults & Frame opened, in the same year, the first stock of goods
in the town. They afterwards moved their building from Tarkio to the
town site.
A. P. Davenport built, in 1874, a flouring mill in the town. It is a
two run mill. The present (1882) proprietors are Reece & Gibson, who
purchased it from Davenport.
454 HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
The first physician to settle in Craig was Dr. John T. Shepherd.
Dr. B. Meek and Dr. Hanlin came afterward. April, 1870, Dr. J. L.
Johnstun located in the town, and the other physicians moved away.
C. Hoblitzell started in February, 1875, the first lumber yard in
Craig. This is now owned by Hoblitzell Bros.
Dr. J. L. Johnstun and Fred. Myers, the late popular collector of
Holt County, built, in 1874, the first and only elevator in the town. Its
capacity is ten thousand bushels. The firm is now Myers & Ward.
The first school in the town of Craig was taught by C. A. Doughty,
in the original frame school building on Frame Street, now owned by the
" Christians," and occupied by them as a church.
The elegant structure of the graded school stands on the opposite
side of the same street. It is a spacious two-story brick building with
four class rooms, halls, etc., affording accommodation for 240 scholars.
The house was completed in January, 1882, at a cost of over six thou-
sand dollars. The present corps of instructors include Professor Bal-
linger, Principal ; Miss Hubra and Mrs. E. Welch, Assistants.
Dr. J. T. Shepherd opened the first drug store in the town.
In 1869 James Campbell started the first livery stable in the place.
The first railroad agent of Craig was Frank Blood. He had many
successors. The present (1882) agent, Mr. Hunter, has had charge of
the station for the past ten years.
The first postmaster of Craig was Christian Shults, who was
appointed in 1868. He was succeeded in 1872 by E. D. Richmond. H.
S. Hogue succeeded the latter in 1875. The present postmaster, Robert
Lyons, has been in office since 1879, and *s an efficient and highly popu-
lar official.
The banking house of Bilby & Heaton, the first and only enterprise
of the kind established in Craig, is one of the substantial institutions
of this county. The bank was opened here in 1877, and has since con-
tinued to enjoy a season of uninterrupted prosperity, doing as large a
business as that of any similar institution in the county, and commands
the unqualified confidence of the community. The structure of the
bank is a new two-story brick building, the entire first floor of which is
occupied by the bank and its appurtenances, all of which are fitted up
in a style of metropolitan elegance. William H. Heaton, Esq., the
manager, is a gentleman of great personal popularity.
CHURCHES AND SOCIETIES.
The Methodist Episcopal Church was organized in 1870. Among
the original members were : Abel Doughty and wife, C. A. Doughty
and wife, and E. McQuilen and wife. It present (1882) membership is
about forty. A Sunday School, with an average attendance of seventy-
five scholars, is superintended by C. A. Doughty.
UNION TOWNSHIP. 455
The Methodist Episcopal Church, South, was organized in 1878, by
Rev. Dr. Bain, with the following members : J. T. Sedwick and wife,
William Price, S. Stanfield, and Charles David and wife. The church is
in a prosperous condition, with a good Sunday School superintended by
William Boyer, Esq.
By the combined efforts of both these organizations the present
structure of the Methodist Church was erected in the year 1878, at a cost
of $1,500. It is a neat gothic frame building, on Third Street.
The Presbyterian Church, of Craig, was organized in June, 1878, by
the Rev. Duncan Brown, of Mound City, with the following members :
Dr. S. S. Bacon, W. B. Wilson and wife, A. M Hunter and Mrs. E. F.
Welch. The church edifice, a brick building, 30x55 feet, was completed
in December, 1878, at a cost of $3,200. It stands on west Front Street.
The original trustees of this church were W. B. Wilson, S. S. Bacon and
A. M. Hunter. The first pastor of the congregation was the Rev. Dun-
can Brown. He was succeeded in June, 1880, by Rev. B. D. Luther, the
present (1882) minister. The present membership is twenty-five. A
Sunday School of sixty scholars is attached to this church, and super-
intended by J. Sweetwood.
The Christian Church of Craig was organized February 4, 1880, by
Elder G. B. Mullis, with ten members. Of these, Samuel Peters and
H. Laughlin were chosen elders, and E. Davis and Moses Wright were
chosen deacons. The other members were Delitha Laughlin, Dal.
Laughlin, Sarah J. Wright, Victory Peters, Rachel Collins and Sallie A.
Davis. Since the period of the organization of this church there have
been added, under the pastorate of Elder W. P. Maupin, their present
minister, fifty members. In the fall of 1881 the congregation purchased
the old frame public school building and fitted it up as a house of wor-
ship. This they continue to use for that purpose. The organization is
in a prosperous condition, and includes a membership of sixty.
MASONIC.
Craig Lodge, No. 371, A. F. and A. M., was organized U. D. by
Hiram Patterson, D. D. G. M., July 14, 1870, with the following officers :
C. A. Doughty, W. M.; William R. Nelson, S. W.; Chris. Shults, J. W.;
Dr. Berry Meek, Treasurer ; John L. Blair, Secretary, and Frank Chest-
nut, Tyler.
On the 13th of October following, it was chartered, with the same
officers. On the 28th of the same month, the first election was held
with the following result : C. A. Doughty, W. M., Joshua Kelso, S. W.;
Christian Shults, J. W.; Dr. B. Meek, Treasurer ; William H. Davis, Sec-
retary. These were installed by the D. D. G. M.
456 HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
June 24, 1871, occurred the second annual election, with the following-
results : C. A. Doughty, W. M,; J. Kelso, S. W.; C. Shults, J. W.; B.
Meek, Treasurer, and W. H. Davis, Secretary.
The election of June 24, 1872, was as follows : C. A. Doughty, W.
M.; Samuel Van Gundy, S. W.; John Wise, J. W.; Dr. B. Meek, Treas-
urer ; D. M. Parish, Secretary.
June 24, 1873, the following were chosen : Joshua Kelso, W. M.;
Bruce Earl, S. W.; I. L. Blair, J. W.; C. A. Doughty, Treasurer; D. M.
Parrish, Secretary.
June 24, 1874, the following were elected : C. A. Doughty, W. M.
Bruce Earl, S. W.; J. V. Wright, J. W ; J. H. Hogrefe, Sr., Treasurer
D. M. Parrish, Secretary.
June 24, 1875, the election was as follows : C. A. Doughty, W. M.;
H. L. Ward, S. W.; T. B. Ward, J. W.; J. H. Hogrefe, Sr., Treasurer;
D. M. Parrish, Secretary.
June 24, 1876, the following were elected: Charles David, W. M.;
T. B. Ward, S. W.; R. C. Sedwick, J. W.; J. H. Hogrefe, Sr., Treasurer ;
and D. M. Parrish, Secretary.
June 24, 1877, the following were elected : Charles David, W. M.;
T. B. Ward, S. W.; A. M. Hunter, J. W.; J. H. Hogrefe, Treasurer, and
H. L. Ward, Secretary.
June, 1878, the election was as follows : C. A. Doughty, W. M.;
William Richardson, S. W.; C. Hoblitzell, J. W.; J. H. Hogrefe, Treas-
urer ; H. L. Ward, Secretary.
June 24, 1879, tne following were elected : C. Hoblitzell, W. M.;
W. H. Heaton, S. W.; R. W. Dawson, J. W.; J. H. Hogrefe, Treasurer;
H. L. Ward, Secretary.
June 24, 1880, the election was as follows : T. B. Ward, W. M.; W.
H. Heaton, S. W.; R. W. Dawson, J. W.; J. H. Hogrefe, Treasurer; J.
A. Ward, Secretary.
June 24, 1881, the following were elected : Joshua Kelso, W. M.; A.
M. Hunter, S. W.; J. R. Sharpe, J. W.; J. H. Hogrefe, Treasurer ; R. C.
Sedwick, Secretary.
I. O. O. F.
Craig Lodge No. 211, was chartered May 20, 1870. It includes a
membership of about thirty, and is in a highly prosperous condition.
The present (1882) officers are Fred Myers, N. G.; T. B. Wrenn, V. G.;
J. W. Stokes, Secretary, and J. H. Kulenkamp, Treasurer.
A. O. U. W.
The organization of this order in the town of Craig, was effected
May 29, 1879, with thirteen members. The charter officers were Charles
UNION TOWNSHIP. 457
David, W. M.; Levi Greer, P. M. W.; J. W. Stokes, O.; C. H. Thayer, G.
F.; J. S. Peters, F.; W. H. Heaton, Recorder. The present (1882) mem-
bership of this Lodge is thirty-four. The officers are T. B. Wrenn, M.
W.; W. M. Boyer, P. M. W., J. H. Kuhlenkamp, G. F. ; S. Tingley, O.; M.
F. Phillips, Recorder ; H. L. Caton, F., and E. H. Hathorn, Recorder.
THE FLOOD.
Craig, in common with neighboring towns along the line of the
Kansas City, St. Joseph and Council Bluffs Railroad, in the Missouri
River bottom, was a sufferer, to some extent, by the ever mem-
oriable flood of 188 1. On the 24th day of April, the water of the Mis-
souri River, at its nearest point, five miles distant from the town site,
and which, some ten or twelve days before, had burst from the ice gorge
below Yankton, swept over the town. By Wednesday following it had
reached its maximum height, two feet higher than the water of the great
flood of 1844, and stood from two and a half to three and a half feet deep
in the streets and houses. The flood then began to recede, and by the
following Sunday, had disappeared, leaving behind a fearful wreck of
matter and crash of things. The entire population of the town, with a
few exceptions, during the period of the high water, had left for the
bluff country. So tremendous was the force with which the inundation
approached, that railroad ties with rails attached, were in many places
floated off the grade. Vast quantities of cattle and other animals were
drowned, and during the prevalence of the flood, those of the citizens
who remained in the town, or revisited it, through curiosity, employed
themselves in steering about on rafts extemporized from the floating
sidewalks, and poling off the carcasses of drowned animals as they floated
by, through the streets of the town.
Among the incidents of the flood at this point, it is remembered
that a corn crib sixty feet long, twelve feet wide and as many "high,
floated Irom its foundations, and was seen pursuing its rapid course
southward from the town. A close inspection revealed the further cir-
cumstance that the roof was tenanted, not, however, with dispairing sons
and daughters of men, but with a flock of domestic chickens, in the cen-
ter of which stood a solitary skunk, apparently brooding, amid the appall-
ing desolation of his surroundings, over the certainty of his impending
fate, and utterly oblivious or unmindful of the feathered banquet within
his reach.
All traces of this terrible visitation have, however, disappeared from
this immediate locality, and Craig has long since recovered the even
tenor of her way ; the only lasting result of the overflow being to improve
the sanitary condition of the place by cleansing its surface of the decom-
position of vegetable matter in the vicinity.
458 HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
One incident of the flood, however, as evidencing the energy and
presence of mind of the citizens is especially worthy of commemoration :
In view of the inevitable approach of the inundation, W. M. Boyer, the
druggist, Frazer & Wilson, Ward & Dawson, and A. P. Davenport, gen-
eral merchants, hastily erected temporary buildings at the bluffs, half aj
mile to the eastward of the town, and thither moving their goods, con-
tinued a brisk trade till the entire subsidence of the waters permitted
their return. The idea was at one time entertained of permanently
abandoning the old town site, and of founding a new Craig at the foot of
the blufrs. More practical counsels, however prevailed, and within the
space of a few weeks after the first appearance of the waters, the town
was herself again.
In April, 1881, the town of Craig was chartered as a city of the
fourth class. The following then composed the official board, and are
still (February, 1882) in office : Robert W. Dawson, Mayor ; W. B. Wil-
son, A. M. Hunter, Rufus Guilliams, J. H. Williams and William T. Red-
mon, members of the council.
BUSINESS DIRECTORY.
The following list includes the present (1882) business of Craig :
Allen & Frazer, hardware dealers. Lewis & Bradberry, carpenters and
Bilby & Heaton, bankers. contractors.
Boyer, W. M., druggist. Lowe, Mrs., mantuamaker.
Benner, H. M., carpenter. Lawrence, Misses, milliners.
Beek, William, harnessmaker. Lewis, Mark, shoemaker.
Cook, Prof. P. B., proprietor Craig Lyons, Robert, postmaster, dealer
Hotel. in stationery.
Claiborne, T. Nelson, justice of the Orange, J. A., blacksmith and wagon-
peace, maker.
Davenport, A. P., general mer- Odel, Jasper, butcher.
chant. Phillips, M. F., photographer.
Dawson & Caton, live stock dealers. Porter & Hathhorn, blacksmiths.
David, Charles, general merchant. Reece & Gibson, Holt County Mills.
Dawson, R. W. & Co., general mer- Randal & Redmon, confectioners.
chants. Smith, Chas., shoe and bootmaker-
Davis Bros., general merchants. Shipley, L. A., restaurant, etc.
Frazer & Wilson general merchants. Saal, Boje, barber.
Huffstetter, George, confectioner. Smirl, Mrs. M., milliner.
Hunter & Smith, druggists. Smith, George W., saloon.
Harris, Mrs., mantuamaker. Sedwick, Mrs. J. T., boarding house.
Hunt, Cave J., notary public. Thomas, Henry, general merchant. |
Hogins, W., livery stable. Thayer, C. H., justice of the peace.
UNION TOWNSHIP. 459
Johnstun, J. L., M. D., notary Widman, J. T., butcher.
public. Williams, J. T., boarding house.
Waggoner, George T., manufacturer and dealer in furniture.
The legal learning of Craig is represented by E. J. Kellogg, Esq.,
formerly of Rock Port, Missouri, and J. W. Stokes, Esq.
The medical profession at present includes : Dr. J. L. Johnstun, estab-
lished in the town in 1870 ; Dr. W. M. Parrish, 1876; Dr. R. H. Smith,
1877 ; Dr. E. D. W. C. Wing, 1881 ; Rev. Dr. J. W. Bain, 1881.
SHIPPING INTERESTS.
Corning is an important shipping station, on the line of the Kansas
City, St. Joseph and Council Bluffs Railroad. In 1880 there was sent
by rail, from this point, one thousand and ten car loads of corn, wheat,
cattle, hogs and other products. In view of the shortage of crops, con-
sequent on the high water and other unforseen causes, there was a con-
siderable decrease in the following year. It continues, however, to hold
its rank as a shipping point.
NEWSPAPERS.
The first newspaper published in Craig was the Enterprise, an inde-
pendent sheet, which made its first appearance June 14, 1871. It was
started by C. H. Clark, who, after publishing the paper for some time,
sold it October 3, 1878, to H. S. Hogue, who published it as a Republican
sheet till June 19, 1879, when it suspended.
The Craig Gazette was afterward started, under the auspices and
editorial management of G. A. Bryant. It expired June, 188 1.
3SBIOGRAPHICA L/fe
ALLEN & FRAZER,
dealers in hardware, tinware, agricultural implements, etc., commenced
business in Craig in 1880, under the firm name of Allen, Frazer & Co.
In 1882, it was changed, the style then becoming Allen & Frazer. They
have one of the largest stocks of goods in their line in this county, and
are doing an extensive and profitable business. The gentlemanly man-
ager of the concern, Frank K. Allen, is a native of Cumberland County,
460 HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
Pennsylvania, and was born November 22, 1857. At the age of three
years he was brought to Missouri by the family, who located in this
county, where they resided nine years. They then emigrated to Wauke-
sha County, Wisconsin, and after a residence there of one year, they
returned to this county. The subject of this sketch was here reared to
manhood and received his education, following in his youthful days the
occupation of farming. In 1876, he engaged in mercantile pursuits at
Bigelow, holding a clerkship with Fleming & Frazer, of that city. He
remained in their employ three years, after which time he became asso-
ciated with Mr. Frazer in the present business. Mr. Allen's parents,
James L. and Sarah (Frazer) Allen, now of Oregon, are old residents of
this county. The former has been prominently identified with the farm-
ing interests of this district since his early settlement here. Mr. Frank
Allen, although a young man, is one of the representative business men
of this city, and his principles of honesty and fair dealing have made
for him the confidence and patronage of the public. He was united in
marriage November 16, 1881, to Miss Ella McKee, a native of Missouri.
JAMES W. BAIN,
physician and surgeon. Among the members of the medical fraternity
of this city, the subject of this sketch deserves more than a passing
notice. He is a native of Ireland, and was born September 3, 1832.
When only five months old, he was brought by the family to America,
they settling in New York City. There he was reared to manhood and
received his education. At the age of nineteen years, he emigrated to
Hannibal, Missouri, resided there one year, then went to Berry, Illinois,
where he began the studies of his chosen profession, at the same time
clerking in a drug store. He continued his studies under the tutorship
of Drs. Parker & Long, till 1859, when he attended a course of lectures
at McDowell's College, St. Louis, Missouri, and he is a graduate of the
Cincinnati Medical College. In 1859 ne began the practice of his pro-
fession in Pike County, Illinois, and after living there till 1867, he
removed to Ray County, Missouri. Dr. Bain followed his practice in
that locality till 1878, when he was ordained a Methodist divine, and
giving up his practice, he was assigned by the conference to the Craig
circuit. He labored in this good cause for two years, next being
appointed to the Fillmore circuit. Two years later he resumed his med-
ical relations, and began practicing at Craig, in November, 1881.
Although a new practitioner in this city, he is enjoying a very good
patronage, which is on the increase. Dr. Bain has been three times
married ; first, to Miss Emma Mason, 1861. They had one child, Katie
L. Mrs. B.'s death occurred in 1863, and he was married the second
time in 1865, to Miss Rebecca A. Foster. Her death occurred in 1875.
UNION TOWNSHIP. 461
The Dr. was again married January 25, 188 1, to Miss Hattie Bradford,
a native of Missouri. They have one child, Julia. He is a member of
the Masonic fraternity.
WILLIAM BEEK,
dealer in saddles, harness, etc., is a native of Allegheny County, Penn-
sylvania, and was born March 19, 1840. When at the age of four yeans
he removed, with his family, to Victor County, Indiana, where he resided
for ten years, going from there to Bureau County, Illinois. He was a
resident of that county for two years, after which he returned to Indiana,
where he began the business he now so successfully follows. Four years
later Iowa County, Iowa, became his home and, after a residence there
of four years, he was engaged in working at his trade through the prin-
cipal cities of Iowa, for some time, finally settling in Rock Port, Atchi-
son County, Missouri. He remained for eight months at this point and
then came to Craig, and established his present business, in 1877. Here
he continued in this business three years, when he disposed of his store
and engaged in farming, till 1882, when he again opened business in this
city. Mr. Beek was married April 18, 1877, to Miss Agnes Davis, a
native of Missouri. They have one child, James. Mr. B. is a member of
the A. O. U. W. fraternity, and also belongs to the M. E. Church. Dur-
ing the late war, in 1861, he enlisted in Company K, First Missouri Reg-
iment, and served for ninety days.
BILBY & HEATON,
bankers. This prosperous banking firm was organized in 1877, and since
that time has done an excellent business. They have lately removed to
their new bank building, which is a model of neatness, and we can safely
say is in every respect equal, if not superior, to any building in the
county devoted to that important business. William H. Heaton, a mem-
ber of this firm, is a native of Pike County, Illinois, where he was born
March 16, 1840. At the age of twelve years, he was taken by the family
to McDonough County, where he was carefully reared to manhood,
receiving his education from the schools of that vicinity. He passed
his youthful days in agricultural pursuits, and at the age of twenty-two,
he became engaged in the book and stationery business at Bushnell,
Illinois, the firm being known as Heaton & Cummings. They continued
the business for three years, after which Mr. Cummings retired, Mr.
Eakle then being associated with Mr. Heaton, and the business was car-
ried on under the firm name of Heaton & Eakle very successfully for two
years. Mr. Heaton then became sole proprietor. He continued the
business till 1874,, and during four years of the time he was in business
in that city, he was its postmaster. In 1874, he immigrated to Missouri,
462 HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
and took charge of a general stock of goods at Fairview, Nodaway
County, for his present partner. There he remained till 1877, when he
became associated with Mr. Bilby in their present calling. Mr. Heaton
was united. in marriage November 16, 1865, to Miss Catharine Eakle, a
native of Ohio. They have two children : Edwin and George. He is a
member of the Masonic fraternity, and belongs to Craig Lodge No. 374,
of this city, in which he has held the office of senior warden.
WILLIAM M. BOYER,
dealer in drugs, medicines, paints, oils, books, stationery, etc. In 1873
this gentleman began business in Craig, and since opening he has had a
large and increasing patronage. He carries a well assorted stock in his
line, and deserves his success. He is a native of Clark County, Illinois,
and was born March 1, 1856. He remained in that locality till he
attained his twelfth year, when he was taken by the family to Cham-
paign County, Illinois, where he was reared to manhood, and secured the
advantages of a good common school education. From his youth he
has been engaged in the business which he now so successfully follows.
In 1873 he came west and settled in Craig, and embarked in his present
calling. Mr. Boyer was united in marriage November 10, 188 r, to Miss
Mary E. Clayborn, a native of Virginia. He is a member of the A. O.
U. W. order, of this city.
JAMES BRADDY,
section 2, was born in Rutherford County, Tennessee, December 22,
1818, and was the son of Joseph and Elizabeth (Anderson) Braddy, the
former a native of Tennessee and the latter a Virginian by birth.
Joseph Braddy removed to Posey County, Indiana, in 1822, where he
lived for about six years, then going to White County, Illinois, in 1828.
The youth of James was spent on a farm, he receiving very limited
educational advantages. When thirteen years old he commenced to
learn the trade of wheelwright, at which he worked for five or six years,
after which he was engaged in carpentering some seven years. In the
fall of 1850 he was married to Mrs. Mary McKown, daughter of E. Ran-
dolph. She was born in White County, Illinois, in the spring of 182 1.
In the spring of 185 1 Mr. B. moved to Iowa, settling in Wapello County,
and for six years was engaged in the carding business at Eddyville.
In April, 1855, he located at Braddyville, Page County, and was the
founder of that town now known under the same name. Here he was
occupied in the flouring and saw mill business for about twelve years,
after which, upon selling out at Braddyville, he moved to Holt County
and settled in Union Township near Craig. He now owns 160 acres of
land, about 150 acres under fence and 100 acres in cultivation, a good
UNION TOWNSHIP. 463
orchard being upon the place. Mr. and Mrs. Braddy have four children
living: America (wife of James McKinnon), Marietta (now Mrs. Samuel
Ecker), Melvina (who married Oliver Grooms), and John S. Braddy.
KIMBREL CARLTON,
section 35, was born on the 31st of May, 1833, in Hardin County, Ken-
tucky. His parents, John Carlton, and Rachel, nee Spellman, were
natives of that state. Kimbrel passed his boyhood days on a farm in
his native county, receiving a common subscription school education.
In March, 1856, he removed westward to Illinois, but returned to Ken-
tucky in the following fall. In the spring of 1857 he again came to
Illinois, and for some time was occupied in farming and carpentering in
Coles County. He was there married, October 4, 1869, to Miss Sarah
L. Jones, daughter of John Jones, Esq. She was born in Greene County,
East Tennessee, May 8, 1846. In February, 1871, Mr. Carlton moved
to Missouri and located at Craig, Holt County, where he followed the
trade of carpentering. He also engaged in the drug business with E.
D. Richmond, at that place for about three years. In 1880 he moved
upon his farm, which consists of eighty acres of land, sixty acres being
under good cultivation. A fair house is upon the place, and good
improvements surround it. Mr. and Mrs. Carlton have four children :
Bertha M., Mattie E., John W. and Minnie A. He and his wife are
members of the Methodist Church.
T. NELSON CLAIBORNE,
justice of the peace. The subject of this sketch is the son of Dr. George
and Mary (Craig) Claiborne, both natives of Virginia. Like his fore-
fathers, he is a native of Virginia, and was born August 23, 1827. At
the age of five years he was taken by the family to Richmond, where he
was reared to manhood and received his education, following civil engi-
neering as his profession. He was at different times engaged in that
capacity on the Richmond and Danville Railroad, branch of South Side
Railroad, Manassas Gap Railroad, also the Harper's Ferry branch. In
1857 Mr. C. immigrated to Holt County, and settled in Oregon, where
he resided for eighteen months. He then became a resident of Forest
City, where he was occupied in teaching till 1859, when he returned to
Virginia, there remaining till 1863. At that time he again came to For-
est City. In 1875 he came to Craig. Here he was engaged in teaching
in and about the city, till 188 1, when he accepted a clerkship with Mr.
Boyer, in the drug business, which position he now holds. Mr. Clai-
borne was married May 15, i860, to Miss Mary E. Sedwick, a native of
Virginia. They have six children : Mary E., George T., Ella A., Robert
464 HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
L., Guy H. and Hugh L. He is a member of Forest City Lodge, No.
214, A. F. and A. M. Mr. C. held the office of city recorder of Forest
City for three years in an acceptable manner. He was appointed justice
of the peace of this township during the present term and is now filling
this position.
PERIAM B. COOK,
proprietor of Craig Hotel. The subject of this sketch is a son of Anson
and Hannah Cook nee Wheeler, the former a native of Massachusetts,
and his mother of Connecticut. Mr. C. is a native of Greenwood Town-
ship, Steuben County, New York, and was born June 2, 1833. At the
age of four years, he was taken by the family to Monroe County, New
York, where they resided till 1844, when he emigrated to Hillsdale
County, Michigan. Periam was here reared to manhood in the occupa-
tion of farming, and received a good education from the common schools.
In 185 1, he emigrated to California, remaining till 1853, when he returned
to Michigan, there being occupied in teaching. In 1859, ne began a
course of studies at the Hillsdale College, and was graduated from that
institution in 1863. During this time he was preaching the gospel in
1859, and was ordained a Baptist minister in 1861. He has been engaged
in that good work and teaching, for the most of his time since then. In
1869, Mr. C. removed to Webster County, Iowa, of which locality he was
a resident till 1879, when he immigrated to Missouri, and settled in
Craig. On his removal here he purchased the hotel, and after refurnish-
ing and enlarging it, he opened it under its present name. He remained
in the hotel business one year, and then engaged in teaching, but again,
in 1881, he took charge of the hotel. Mr. C. was united in marriage
November 28, 1855, to Miss Mary Byron, a daughter of Elder Joseph
Byron, of Michigan. They have had six children : Helen M., Ransom
A. (deceased), Clarence J. (deceased), Elvia L., Edmund B. (deceased),
and Mabyn A. Mr. C. was at one time superintendent of schools of
Hillsdale County, Michigan. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity.
JOHN J. CREWS
was born in Monroe County, West Virginia, July 25, 1835. Thomas D.
Crews, his father, was born near Lynchburg, Virginia, and his mother,
whose maiden name was Eveline Alderson, was a native of Monroe
County, West Virginia. John J. spent his youth on a farm at his birth-
place, his opportunities for acquiring an education being very limited.
During the war he enlisted, in 1862, and served till the close, in Clark's
Battalion of Sharpshooters. He participated in some important engage-
ments, among which were the battles of New Market, Spottsylvania, Cold
Harbor, Winchester, Cedar Creek, Fisher Hill and others. After the
UNION TOWNSHIP. 465
close of that conflict he returned to Monroe County, Virginia. In Jan-
uary, 1866, Mr. C. was married, in Monroe County, to Miss Mary A. Bal-
lard, daughter of William Ballard. Mrs. Crews was born in Monroe
County, Virginia. After this event he lived some two years in Monroe
County, engaged in farming. In the fall of 1868 he located in Buchanan
County, Missouri, but moved to Andrew County the following spring,
living there some two years. In the fall of 1870 Mr. Crews came to Holt
County and settled in Union Township, moving on his present farm in
1871. He has 120 acres of land, all fenced, with fair improvements, and
a young bearing orchard. Mr. Crews has a family of three children liv-
ing, William Thomas, Archie A. and Henry Ballard Crews. One is
deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Crews are members of the Baptist Church. He
resides on section 8.
CHARLES A. DOUGHTY,
business manager of Hoblitzell Bros.' lumber yard at Craig. The sub-
ject of this sketch is a native of Steuben County, New York, and was
born April 22, 1838. He was there reared to manhood, receiving his
education from the Genesee College, of Lima, that state. In 1858 he,
with the family, emigrated to Kansas, where he resided for two months,
and in July of that year he came to Holt County and engaged in teach-
ing, following that profession with great success for two years. In 1S61
he removed to Richardson County, Nebraska, where he was occupied in
freighting for three years, after which he returned to this county and
engaged in farming, which he still continues. December 6, 1881, he
accepted his present position. He has a fine farm of 150 acres near
Craig, and is one of our most prosperous farmers and is well and favor-
ably known in this district as an honest, enterprising business man.
Mr. D. was married in January, 1866, to Miss Harriet S. Price, a native
of Virginia. They have four children : Fannie B., Vena B., Zua H., and
Cora A. They are members of the M. E. Church. Mr. Doughty is a
member of Craig Lodge, No. 371, A. F. & A. M., and was its first mas-
ter. He was justice of the peace of this township six years and is now
a notary public. He was president of the school board of the district
four years. He is the superintendent of the M. E. Sunday School and
was one of the trustees of the first church erected in Craig.
it>-
CHARLES DAVID.
Prominent among the pioneer merchants of Craig, and men who
have been identified with the development and prosperity of the county,
may be mentioned the subject of this sketch. He is a son of Daniel
and Rhoda (Cook) David, who are old pioneers of this county, and who
now live near Oregon. Charles is a native of Switzerland County, Indiana,
3U
466 • ISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
and was born July i, 1831. When at the age of thirteen years, with the
family he emigrated to Holt County, where he was reared to manhood,
and received his education, following the occupation of farming. In
1865, and for two years thereafter, he was engaged in mercantile pursuits,
and after that time he resumed farming, at which he worked seven years.
Mr. David then exchanged his place, one mile east of Oregon, for a farm
near this city, working the latter place one year. He then traded for a
stock of goods in Craig, and did a large business, for six years, when he
took a trip to Colorado, where he engaged in mining for one year. Upon
returning to this city, he remained until the spring of 1881, when he
removed to Andrew County, Missouri, where he was occupied in farm-
ing for six months. He then again came here and opened his present
store. Mr. David was united in marriage August 7, 1850, to Miss Harriet
Kelso, a native of Indiana. They have six children : Victoria L.,
Artinsia, Laura, Coleman, Lou and Mollie. Mr. D. is a member of Craig
Lodge, No. 371, A. F. and A. M., and also of Oregon Lodge, No. 54, I.
O. O. F., and the Encampment of that city. He has held all the elective
offices of these lodges. He is a member of the M. E. Church. Mr. D.
has one of the finest residences in this city, it being splendidly furnished
and its surroundings are fully in keeping with it.
ALFRED F. DAVENPORT,
dealer in dry goods, clothing, boots, shoes, hats, caps, and gents fur-
nishing goods. In 1868 Mr. Davenport established himself in his present
business. He has a very large and complete stock of goods, and is
doing the leading business of his line in this city. He is a native of
Ohio, in which state he was born, November 5, 1832. When one year
old he was taken by the family to Michigan, where he resided for five
years, after which time he immigrated, with them, to La Harpe, Illinois.
After living there for seven years they removed to Mills County, Iowa,
where his father, James, was an old settler, and a man who was closely
identified with the interests of that locality from an early date. Here
the subject of this sketch was reared to manhood, receiving the advan-
tages of a good common school education. He followed farming as an
occupation till 1866, when he engaged in mercantile pursuits, in Bart-
lett, there doing a general business for two years. Not being satisfied
with such comparatively small prospects, he sold out and went in search
of a larger field of action more suited, to his ambition and energetic
nature. He finally chose this city as a place of settlement, and in 1868
engaged in his present extensive business. In 1874 he built the large
and spacious mills at this point, known as the " Holt County Mills," and
operated the same with success till 1878, when he sold to the present
firm. Mr. D., as a business man, is well and favorably known in this
UNION TOWNSHIP. 467
and neighboring counties, and in private life is a genial gentleman, and
social to all. It is to such men that Holt County owes much of its
enviable reputation. He was united in marriage November 18, 1858,
to Miss Mary E. Fiester, a native of Missouri. They have been blessed
with eight children : Mary J., Almira A., Jeremiah, Sarah, Martha, Dora,
James M., and Lena. Mr. D. is a member of Craig Lodge, No. 211,
I. O. O. F., of this city, and has held all the offices within the gift of the
lodge.
M. F. DAWSON,
farmer, section 31, was born February 4, 1844, in Buchanan County, Mis-
souri, and is a son of L. H. and Jane (Morrow) Dawson, both natives of
Ohio. The former was a farmer by occupation, and, in 185 1, young Daw-
son was taken to Mills County, Iowa. He was reared to manhood on a
farm and, after living in the State of Iowa for sixteen years, he returned
to Holt County, Missouri, in 1869. His education was obtained in the
common schools. Mr. Dawson -now has a farm of 180 acres of land, in
Union Township, and upon his place is a young bearing orchard of 100
apple, and a few peach, cherry and plum trees. He is Democratic in
politics. January 3, 1864, he was married to Martha E. Simpson
daughter of Thomas Simpson. She was born December 13, 1848, in
Buchanan County, Missouri. Their family consists of : Elizabeth, born
August 12, 1866; Charles, born March 4, 1868 ; Lucas H., born March
12, 1869; George W., born January 3, 1879. Religiously Mr. D. is a
Cumberland Presbyterian.
R. W. DAWSON & CO.,
dealers in dry goods, groceries, clothing, boots, shoes, hats, caps, gents'
furnishing goods, etc. In 1878 R. W. Dawson became the senior mem-
ber of this firm. They have a large and choice stock of goods in their
line, and are enjoying a liberal patronage. Besides being connected
with this house, Mr. D. is interested in the firm of Caton & Dawson, who
do a large business as stock and grain buyers, and he is largely engaged
in mining claims in the Needles Mountains. Robert W. Dawson is a
native of Holt County, Missouri, and was born April 26, 1S49. At the
age of three years he accompanied the family to Mills County, Iowa,
where he was reared to manhood and received his education. In 1867,
he returned to this county, and was engaged in farming till 1874, when
he embarked in the drug business, which he continued one year. After
this time he entered into the stock business, and in 1878 he became con-
nected with Mr. Ward, in their present business. Mr. D. was married
May 28, 1872, to Miss Minerva Wise, also a native of this county. They
have had three children, one of whom is now living, Humboldt. Mr. D.
468 HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
is a member of Craig Lodge No. 371, A. F. and A. M., of this city. He
is the present mayor of Craig, and fills his position in a highly satisfac-
tory manner.
GEORGE W. GASKILL,
section 7, one of the leading farmers of Union Township, was born in
Greene County, Ohio, February 17, 1834. Nehemiah Gaskill, his father,
was born in New Jersey, as was also his mother, formerly Charlotta
Branson. The subject of this sketch was raised in Montgomery County,
Ohio, on a farm, obtaining common school advantages. In 1850, he
went to Indiana, and located in Whitley County, where he engaged in
farming. During the war, in September, 1862, he enlisted in the Forty-
seventh Indiana Infantry, and served for three years, participating in the
battles of Fort Gibson, Champion's Hill, and Vicksburg, and other smaller
engagements. After he was discharged he returned home and engaged
in farming. Mr. Gaskill was married October 25, 1866, to Miss S. A.
Fast, daughter of F. J. and M. K. Fast. She was born in Jefferson
County, Ohio. Mr. Gaskill subsequently moved to Missouri, locating in
Union Township in the spring of 1869. He has '220 acres of land in his
home place, all fenced, with fair improvements, two bearing orchards,
and an abundance of small fruits. He also makes a business of feeding
and handling stock. Mr. and Mrs. Gaskill have two children : F. J., born
May 3, 1870, and George W., born May 27, 1874. They have lost one
child, Charley, born in September, 1867, and died March 5, 1870. Mr.
and Mrs. G. are members of the Old School Presbyterian Church.
ADRIAN HOBLITZELL.
The subject of this sketch is one of the pioneer settlers of North-
western Missouri, and is the father of the members of the well known
firm ot Hoblitzell Brothers. He is a son of John and Rebecca (Cary)
Hoblitzell, and is of French-German descent. Mr. H. was born June 27,
1809, in Alleghany County, Maryland. He was there reared to man-
hood, and received his education, also learning the trade of tailoring.
At the age of 21 years he emigrated to Huron County, Ohio, where he
resided till 1840, when he removed to Platte County, Missouri. After
remaining there till 1844, he came to this county, and was engaged in
various branches of business, among them being farming, tailoring, and
merchandising. In 1855 he removed to Nemaha County, Nebraska,
where he lived till i860, then returning to this county, and in 1876 he
became interested with his sons in their extensive business. Although
quite an old gentleman, Mr. H. is yet actively engaged in business, and
would, by his energy and sprightliness be taken for a much younger
man. He was married August 30, 1830, to Miss Elizabeth Darland, a
UNION TOWNSHIP. 469
native of Pennsylvania. They have had seven children, four of whom
are now living : Julia A. (deceased), William, Christenia, Eunice
(deceased), Cornelius, Joseph and James (deceased). They are members
of the M. E. Church. Mr. H. was one of the original members and
trustees of the first church of that denomination built in Oregon. He
was at one time constable of Lewis Township, and was county judge of
Nemaha County, Nebraska, for one term.
ALEXANDER M. HUNTER
is agent of the Kansas City, St. Joseph and Council Bluffs Railroad, and
is also a member of the firm of Hunter & Smith, druggists. Foremost
among the representative men of this vicinity, and those who have been
identified with the commercial interests of this city, for the last few
years, may be mentioned A. M. Hunter. He is a native of Aberdeen,
Scotland, and was born August 6, 1839. He was there reared to man-
hood and received his education, and at the age of fifteen years, he
accepted a clerkship in a dry goods house at his native city. In this he
remained till his twenty-first year, at which age he emigrated to this
country, and settled in Detroit, Michigan, residing there till the breaking
out of the late war. In October, 1861, he enlisted in the First Michigan
Artillery and served four years and six days, and was a participant in
the well known battles of Island No. 10, siege of Corinth, Mississippi,
Iuka, battle of Corinth, Town Creek, Fort Pillow, and many others of
lesser note. At the last named engagement he was taken prisoner, and
remained as a prisoner of war for one year, during which time he was a
prisoner in fifteen southern prisons, prominent among them being Macon,
Andersonville and Savannah, Georgia ; Charleston, South Carolina ;
Columbia and Charlottsville, North Carolina ; Danville and Libby, Vir-
ginia. He was paroled from this latter mentioned prison April 2, 1865.
During his confinement he escaped five times from the prison, each time
being recaptured, and had the thrilling experience of being tracked by
blood hounds. At the close of the war he was mustered out a lieutenant
of his battery. Mr. Hunter then returned to Detroit, Michigan, where
he resumed his chosen calling for two years, and in 1868 he removed to
Holt, Clay County, Missouri, where he engaged in the railroad business.
He remained at this point for six months, and from there went to New
Cambria, Missouri, and accepted the position of telegraph operator.
After about six weeks, he was stationed at Breckenridge, Missouri, in a
like capacity, for three weeks. - Thence to Lathrop, and after two weeks
there, he went to Bigelow, Missouri, taking charge of the railroad com-
pany's interests at that point. He resided here five months, and then
was located at Bartlett, Iowa, going from this place in two months to
Amazonia, and three months later he returned to Bartlett, and after one
470 HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
and one-half years, he went to Hopkins, Missouri, being the first railroad
agent at that point. In 1872, he came to Craig and accepted his present
position. In 1877, he became associated with Mr. Smith in the drug
business at this point. They have a large and varied stock, and are
doing a remunerative business. Mr. Hunter was united in marriage
November 14, 187 1, to Miss Delia Gillett, a native of New York. He is
a member of Craig Lodge, No. 371, A. F. and A. M., and also belongs to
the Presbyterian Church.
JOHN L. JOHNSTUN,
physician and surgeon, Craig, is a prominent leader among the most
successful practitioners of this vicinity. He is a native of Hamilton
County, Ohio, where he was born May 18, 18 18. His father was Robert
Johnstun, and his mother's maiden name was White. She was the
daughter of Jacob White, a captain in the Revolutionary War. The
subject of this biography was reared to manhood and received his edu-
cation in the schools of his native state. In 1841, he began the study of
his chosen profession under Doctors Alexander Duncan and John B.
Slemon. He continued under their instructions till 1844, when he
removed to Greene County, Indiana, and soon settled in Fair Play,
where he began the practice of his profession. He there resided till
1849, when he located in Knox County, Indiana, and after remaining
till 1850, he returned to Greene County, near his former residence.
He resided at this point six years, after which time he immigrated
to Carlisle, Indiana, and engaged in the practice of his profession. In
i860, he went to Mattoon, Coles County, Illinois, and lived in that city
till 1867, when he came to Missouri and settled in Atchison County.
He was a resident of that locality till 1870, when he came to this city,
where he has since resided. Since that time he has been closely identi-
fied with the commercial as well as the professional interests of this
county, having been at one time a member of the firm of Myers & John-
stun, grain buyers, and also Johnstun & Myers, druggists. He is now of
the firm of Johnstun & Wing, physicians. They command a very large
practice in their profession, and enjoy the esteem of the public. Dr. J.
has ever proved himself an active and energetic worker in the interests
of his state, and has devoted no inconsiderable portion of his valuable
time to the development of the resources of Holt County, where he is
universally regarded as an enterprising and progressive citizen, and an
upright man. He is a member of Craig Lodge No. 211, and has held all
the offices within the gift of the lodge. He is a notary public, and has
been such for the past ten years. The doctor is a staunch Greenbacker
and is one of the well known and influential leaders of the same. He
was one of the electors that nominated General Weaver in 1881.
UNION TOWNSHIP. 471
EDGAR J. KELLOGG,
lawyer. The subject of this sketch is the second son of Alonzo and
Nannie (Burt) Kellogg, the latter a native of Maryland and the former
of New York. Edgar was born in Jefferson County, Kentucky, Sep-
tember 16, 1851. When he was at the age of nine years the family
emigrated to Linn County, Iowa, where he resided, attending the Cor-
nell College, at Mt. Vernon, Iowa, till 1866, when he became a student
of the Southern University, at Carbondale, Illinois. H^ graduated from
that institution in 1869, after which he returned home, remaining only
one month. He then removed to Kansas and accepted a position with
the United States Survey Department, in whose employ he continued
three months, next going to Osage County, Kansas. There he was
engaged in teaching till June, 1870, when he removed to St. Joseph,
Missouri, where he was occupied in the study of his profession. After
residing there four months he located in Marysville and continued his
studies under Fred D. Snyder till 1872, when he was admitted to the
bar. In November, of that year, Mr. Kellogg began his practice at
Rock Port, Atchison County, but in 1879 he came to Craig. Since h>s
arrival here he has had a good practice and is deserving of his success.
He was united in marriage with Miss Carrie D. Bond, a native of Ken-
tucky, September 5, 1877. They have one child, Edgar A.
DENNIS LOWER
was bcrn in Columbiana County, Ohio, January 1, 1836. John Lower,
his father, was born in Pennsylvania, and his mother, whose maiden
name was Anna Firestone, was from Columbiana County, Ohio. Dennis
spent his youth on a farm, and in attending the common schools. He
was married in Columbiana County, Ohio, October 8, 1857, to Miss Mary
A. Shaffer, daughter of Peter Shaffer. She was born in the same county
as her husband, November 18, 1837. After he \vas married Mr. L.
located in that vicinity, and was engaged in farming some two years.
In 1859 ne moved to Indiana and settled in Kosciusko County, where he
resided about nine years. In 1868 he moved to Missouri, locating in
Holt, and has since been a resident of this county. In June, 1881, he
moved on his present farm, which consists of 160 acres of land, all
fenced, with good improvements, and an excellent young orchard of 300
apple, also, peach, cherry, plum and pear trees, besides some small
fruits. This place is located in section 32, township 62, range 39. Mr.
Lower has a family of six children : Solomon F., Marion W., Sidney E.,
Peter L., Dennis and Galen. Mrs. Lower and daughter are members of
the Missionary Baptist Church.
472 HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
ROBERT LYONS,
postmaster, is a native of Ireland, and was born December 26, 1841. At
the age often years he, with the family, immigrated to America, settling
in Summit County, Ohio. There he was reared to manhood and edu-
cated, and, in January, 1862, he became engaged in the trade of shoe-
making, which he continued till 1875. Mr. L. then removed to Missouri
and located in Craig, following his trade till 1879, when he became
assistant postmaster, and, in 1880, he was appointed postmaster, which
position he now holds, discharging his duties with credit. He is a mem-
ber of the school board of Craig and a member of the Presbyterian
Church, and is its treasurer. He is also treasurer and secretary of the
Sunday School. Mr. Lyons is a member of Howard Lodge, No. 62, I. O.
O. F., of Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio.
FRED. MYERS,
of the firm of Myers & Ward, grain and stock dealers, is a native of
Germany, and was born September 12, 1840* When he was seven years
of age the family emigrated to America, and settled in Cook County,
Illinois, where Fred, was reared to manhood. He there received his
education, spending his youthful days on a farm. In 1858 he removed
to Porter County, Indiana, of which locality he was a resident till 1861,-
when he enlisted in Company K, Seventy-third Indiana regiment, and
served four years. He participated in the well known battles of Rich-
mond, Kentucky, Perryville, Stone River, and many others of lesser
note. He was one of the members of Colonel Streight's expedition,
which was captured near Rome, Georgia, was in prison at Belle Island
and Libby Prisons for three months, and was then released on parole.
In 1865 Mr. M. returned to Indiana, but after remaining there only two
months, he again went to Illinois, residing there two months. He then
came west, settling in St. Joseph, Missouri, November 12, 1865. He
made his home in that city till 1868, when he came to Craig, which has
since been his home. Mr. M. is one of the best known men of our county.
He was collector of this county for the term of 1879-80, and filled that
office with honor to himself and credit to all interested, and in all the
relations of life he has been an honest and enterprising business man, a
good citizen and a genial gentleman He was united in marriage April
9, 1872, to Miss Annie Lawrence, a native of Ohio. They have one child,
Carrie. He is a member of Craig Lodge No. 211, I. O. O. F., of this city,
and has passed all the chairs in that lodge. He is also a member of the
Oregon Encampment, and belongs to the A. O. U. W., of Oregon, Mis-
souri.
UNION TOWNSHIP. 473
JACOB R. NAUMAN.
a native of Page County, Virginia, was born June 29, 1850. Reuben
Nauman, his father, and his mother, whose maiden name was Elizabeth
Dovel, were both born in Virginia. The youth of Jacob R. was spent in
Page County, on a farm and attending the common schools. He was
married in that county March ?8, 1871, to Miss Lena J. Long, daughter
of A. J. Long. Mr. N. moved west, in 1872, and located in Cedar County,
Iowa, where he was engaged in farming for some five years. In Septem-
ber, 1877, he moved to Missouri and settled on his farm in Holt County.
His estate is located in section 29, and consists of 320 acres of good
land, lying partly in Union and partly in Liberty Townships. This land
Mr. Nauman has improved himself and has it all fenced, some 280 acres
being in cultivation. Mr. Nauman makes a specialty of handling and
feeding stock. Mr. and Mrs. N. have six children living : Mary E.r
William, Oscar, Thomas, Estella and Baby Nauman. One is deceased.
Mr. and Mrs. Nauman are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian
Church.
JAMES A. ORANGE,
wagon maker and blacksmith, was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, on the 26th
day of April, 1826. When at the age of four years, he with the family,
emigrated to McLean County, 111., where he was reared to manhood, and
received his education, there learning the trade he now follows. In 1850
he removed to Indianola, Warren County, Iowa, where he resided two
years and a half, then going to Greene County, Iowa, making his home
in that locality till 1861. At the commencement of the war, he enlisted
in Company E, Thirty-ninth Iowa Volunteers, and participated in the
battles of Cape Girardeau, Springfield, Missouri, Bird's Point, Pilot
Knob, Fort Donelson, Pittsburg Landing and Corinth, Mississippi. In
1864, he was captured near Bloomington, Virginia, while on his way to
Washington, and was paroled. After being exchanged, he was assigned
to Company E, Eleventh Virginia Cavalry, and was on duty in several
places as guard of government property, till October, 1865, when he
obtained his discharge. He arose from the ranks to the position ot
sergeant major of his company. In 1865, Mr. Orange returned to Iowa,
where he resided till 1867. He then came to this county and built the
hotel now known as the Craig Hotel, which has since been enlarged, and
was its genial host for some time. He was also at that time engaged in
his present business. In 1873 he went to Jule County, Kansas, from
whence, after remaining three years, he returned to this county. Mr. O.
was married December 3, 1847, to Miss Minerva J. Smith, a native of
North Carolina. They had one child, William J. Mrs. O.'s death occur-
red February 22, i860. He was again married September 15, 1866, to
474 HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
Miss Elizabeth Crumley, a native of Pennsylvania. They have one
child, Martha W. Mr. O. is a member of Craig Lodge, No. 371, A. F.
and A. M., also of Craig Lodge, No. 92, I. O. O. F., and has held all of
the elective chairs. In 1868 he was elected mayor of Craig, and served
for two terms.
WILLIAM M. PARRISH,
physician and surgeon. The subject of this narative is the fourth son of
Abel and Bersheba Parrish, nee Rush, who were both natives of North
Carolina. Dr. P. is a native of Putnam County, Indiana, and was born
December 17, 1844. At the age of ten years he was taken, by the family,
to Clarke County, Iowa, where he was brought up and received his edu-
cation, following, in early life, the occupations of farming and milling.
In 1867 he began the study of his profession, under the tutorship of Dr.
Sherrick, of Osceola. After studying for one year he removed to Holt
County, and further prosecuted his studies, under Dr. Goslin, of Oregon,
for one year. Dr. P. then spent one term at the Keokuk Medical Col-
lege, after which he began the practice of his profession at New Point,
this county, where he resided till September, 1874, when he attended the
Hospital Medical College, of Louisville, Kentucky. From this institu-
tion he was graduated the following year, after which he returned to this
county and began practice in Craig. He now has a good business and
is a popular man, both professionally and socially. Dr. Parrish was mar-
ried September 6, 1877, to Miss Alice L. Patterson, a native of Ohio.
They have one child, Chloe O. He is a member of Craig Lodge, No. 371,
A. F. and A. M., and also belongs to Craig Lodge, No. 90, I. O. O. F.
and the A. O. U. W. Lodge of this city. In the Odd Fellows' order he
has held all the offices within the gift of the lodge. The family are mem-
bers of the Christian Church.
GEORGE W. SMITH,
proprietor of billiard hall and saloon. The subject of this sketch is the
youngest son of Sheldon and Sarah (Courier) Smith, who are natives of
Ohio. George is a native of Holt County, Missouri, and was born Sep-
tember 22, 1861. He was reared to manhood in this county, and
received his education from the schools of this vicinity, following in
youth the occupation of farming. At an early age he became engaged
in the saloon business and in 1880 he came to Craig and embarked in
his present calling. He now has one of the best fitted places in this
county and is keeping an exceptionally orderly house. Mr. Smith was
united in marriage July 3, 1881, to Miss Sophronia S. McCoy, a native
of Illinois..
UNION TOWNSHIP. 475
ANDREW P. STEELE,
one of the pioneers of the northern part of Holt County, was born in
Orange County, Indiana, January 10, 1 83 1 . His father, Samuel Steele,
was born in Virginia, and his mother, formerly Sarah Stanfield,
was from Tennessee. In 1839, the family moved to Owen County, Indi-
ana. The subject of this sketch spent his youth on a farm, with very
limited chances for schooling. He went to Illinois in 1854, and located
in Edgar County, and was long engaged in farming. There he resided
until he moved to his present farm in this township, in March, 1865.
He has 160 acres of* land, with a good house and fair improvements, and
a young bearing orchard, his place being located in section 7, township
62, range 39. Mr. Steele makes a business also of feeding stock for the
market. He was married February 2, 1854, in Edgar County, Illinois, to
Miss Sarah A. Bandy, a native of Illlinois, and a daughter of Ambrose
Bandy, Esq. They have a family of six children : Mary Jane, wife of
Lewis Woods ; Elizabeth A., wife of Joseph Newlon ; W. A., Andrew F.,
Albert G., and Elmira E. They have lost one child. Mr. and Mrs.
Steele are members of the Missionary Baptist Church.
JOHN W. STOKES,
attorney at law. The subject of this sketch is a native of Caroline
County, Maryland, and was born June 25, 1839. At the age of eleven years
he with the family emigrated to Morgan County, Illinois, where he was
brought up and received his education. In 1858 he began the study of
his profession under I. Ketchum and J. M. McConnell. In 1859 he
removed to Colorado and was engaged in keeping a ranche. After
residing there six months he returned to Illinois and was elected con-
stable, and while acting in that capacity was also occupied in the study
of the law. In 1862 he was in the service of the government as detect-
ive, for a season, after which he enlisted in Company K, Twenty-eighth
Illinois Regiment, and served till April, 1866, being mustered out as
captain of his company. He participated in the battles of Fort Mor-
gan, Forts Gaines and Blakeley and Spanish Fort. After his discharge
Mr. S. returned home, and in 1867 he removed to St. Louis County,
Missouri, where he embarked in the stock business. In 1869 he came to
this county and interested himself in farming, which he continued till
1872. He then began the practice of his profession in Craig. Mr#
Stokes as a man is well and favorably known in this county and has a
host of friends and patrons. He was married June 27, i860, to Miss
Sarah H. Parker, a native of Morgan County, Illinois. They have six
children : Fannie, Emma, Albert B., James H., Stella, and Lathrop C.
He is a member of Craig Lodge, No. 211, I. O. O. F. and has passed all
476 HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
the elective chairs. He is also a member of the Oregon Encampment.
He belongs to the Christian Church and is one of the trustees of the
Craig schools.
JOHN STROUGH,
one ol the leading farmers of Union Township, was a native of Henry
County, Indiana, born January 28, [842. John Strough, Sr., his father,
and also his mother, whose maiden name was Sarah Miller, were born
in Rockingham County, Virginia. The youth of the subject of this
sketch was spent on a farm and in attending the common schools of
Henry County. He was there married, January 3, 1867, to Miss Sarah
A. Bowers, who was born in Henry County. After his marriage Mr. S.
lived in his native county for two years, engaged in farming. He came
west in the fall of 1869, and settled in Holt County, Missouri, and came
to Union Township the following April, locating on his present farm in
September, 1870. He has 160 acres of land in his home place, all fenced,
and with fair improvements, a good new residence and a young, bearing
orchard, located in section 32, township 63, range 39. Mr. and Mrs. S.
have five children : Laura Alice, George W., Mary Belle, Joseph L., and
Dora E. They are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.
JUDGE DANIEL VAN WORMER,
one of the leading citizens of Holt County, was born in Allegany
County, New York, July 29, 1829. His father, Aaron Van Wormer, and
also his mother, whose maiden name was Phileta Wagoner, were born in
the same county. In the fall of 1846, the family moved to Miami County,
Indiana. The youth of the subject of this sketch was passed on a farm,
he receiving a common school education. He was married in Miami
County, Indiana, April 14, 1853, to Miss Martha Hetzel, daughter of
Samuel Hetzel. After his marriage, Mr. W. moved to Missouri, and set-
tled in Jackson County in the fall of 1853, where he engaged in farming.
He resided there until the fall of 1862. From this date he was unsettled
for three years, and was during that time again a resident of both Ohio
and Indiana. In 1865, he returned to his farm, on which he remained
three years. In the spring of 1869, he moved to Holt County, and set-
tled in Union Township, on his present place. He has 185 acres of land,
all in cultivation, with fair improvements, and a young, bearing orchard.
He makes a specialty of handling and feeding stock. Mr. and Mrs.
Van Wormer have seven children : William, Albert, Phileta, India, Jennie,
Eunice and Martha. Mr. Van Wormer is Republican in politics, and at
the general election of 1874, he was nominated and elected by his party
as one of the judges of Holt County, and served in this capacity four
years. He resides on section 17, township 62, range 39. They are mem-
UNION TOWNSHIP. 477
bers of the Missionary Baptist Church, and Mr. Van Wormer belongs to
the Odd Fellows' order.
GEORGE T. WAGGONER,
dealer in and manufacturer of furniture, coffins, etc. The subject of this
sketch is a son of Martin and Jane (Davis) Waggoner, who were both
natives of Virginia. George is a native of Barren County, Kentucky,
and was born July 23, 1849. At the age of four years he was taken by
the family to Missouri, they settling in this county. He resided here
till he was thirteen years old, when they emigrated to Falls City,
Nebraska. Mr. Waggoner lived there for seven years, and after an
extended tour over the west he returned to this county, in 1876, and set-
tled in Craig. He soon became engaged in the restaurant business, and,
although starting with very little, he worked his way up, step by step,
till, in 1880, he embarked in his present business. Mr. W. was married
August 20, 1872, to Ellen DeLong, a native of Iowa. They have two
children, Martin R. and Lulu.
ASHLEY J. WILLIAMS,
one of the pioneers of this county, was born in Clay County, Missouri,
June 9, 1832. S. Williams, his father, and also his mother, whose maiden
name was Elizabeth Ramsey, were born in Bedford County, Virginia.
The former was one of the first settlers of Clay County, having located
there in 1824, and he it was who laid out the town where Missouri City
is now located. The subject of this sketch was raised on a farm and
attended the common schools ; he also afterward spent one year at
Chapel Hill College. In 1850 he went overland to California, and was
there some four years, engaged mostly at mining. He returned to
Missouri, in the spring of 1854, and settled in Holt County, and has
since been a resident of Union Township. In 1865 he moved to his
present farm, which consists of 240 acres of land, with 160 acres fenced,
with fair improvements, and a young bearing orchard of apple, peach,
cherry and pear trees. This place is located in section 5, township 62,
range 39. Mr. Williams makes a business of handling and feeding
stock. He was married in Holt County, January 7, 1855, to Mrs. Eliza
J. Dodge, daughter of G. W. Taylor, of Holt County. Mrs. W. was born
in Alabama, in 1832. They have six children living : George, Philip,
Nancy E., (wife of James Shew), Haley, Jeremiah and Fannie E. Two
are deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Williams are members of the Missionary
Baptist Church, and Mr. W. belongs to the Odd Fellow and Masonic
Orders.
CHAPTER XVIII.
PUBLIC BUILDINGS AND IMPROVEMENTS.
FIRST COURT HOUSE-SECOND COURT HOUSE-THIRD AND PRESENT COURT HOUSE-
JAILS— PUBLIC SQUARE-COUNTY POOR FARM.
FIRST COURT HOUSE.
Notwithstanding the fact that a large number of the people in
every county have very little practical experience in the courts, and
although they have the legal capacity to sue and be sued, never improve
their opportunities, and never appear in court unless it be on compul-
sion as witnesses or jurors., yet as the one great conservator of peace
and as the final arbiter in the case of individual or neighborhood dis-
putes, the court is distinguished above and apart from all and every
other institution of the land, and not only the proceedings of the court,
but the place of holding court is a matter of interest to the average
reader. Not only so, but in many counties the court house was the first
and usually the only public building in the county. These first court
houses were not very elaborate buildings, to be sure, but they are
enshrined in memories that the present never can know. Their uses
were general, rather than special, and so constantly were they in use day
and night when court was in session, and, when it was not in session, for
judicial, educational, religious and social purposes, that the doors of
those court houses, like the gates of gospel peace, stood open night and
day, and the small amount invested in those old logs returned a much
better rate of interest on the investment than do those stately piles of
brick or granite which have taken their places. The memorable court
house of early times was a house adapted to a variety of uses, and had a
career of great usefulness. School was taught, the gospel preached and
justice dispensed within its substantial old walls. Then it served fre-
quently as a resting place for weary travelers, and indeed its doors
always swung on easy hinges. In the old court house were located the
several county offices. In it met that assemblage known as the district
court, where the vocal, and not unfrequently muscular pioneer attorneys
had full scope for the employment of their varied powers, both physical
and intellectual. But not only as a court room was the old building used.
If the old settlers are to be believed, this rude structure often rang
PUBLIC BUILDINGS AND IMPROVEMENTS. 479
on the pioneer Sabbath, with a more stirring eloquence than enlivens
the pulpits of the present time. Many of the earliest ministers have
officiated within its walls, and if those old walls could speak, they would
tell many a strange tale of pioneer religion, that is now lost forever. To
that old court house ministers came of different faiths, but all eager to
expound the simple truths of a sublime and beautiful religion, and point
out for comparison the thorny path of duty, and the primrose path of
dalliance. Often have those old walls given back the echoes of those
who sang the songs of Zion, and many an erring wanderer has had his
heart moved to repentance thereby, more strongly than ever, by the
strains of homely eloquence.
With Monday morning the old building changed its character, and
men came there seeking not the mercy of God, but the justice of man.
The scales were held with an even hand. Fine points of law were often
ignored, but those who presided knew every man in the county, and they
dealt out substantial justice, and the broad principles of natural equity
prevailed. Children came there to school, and sat at the feet of teachers
who knew but little more than themselves ; but, however humble the
teacher's acquirements, he was hailed as a wise man and a benefactor,
and his lessons were heeded with attention. There the people of the
county went to discuss their own affairs, and learn the news so far away
to the eastward. In addition to the orderly assemblies which formally
gathered there, other meetings no less notable occurred. It was a sort
of forum, whither all classes of people went for the purpose of loafing
and gossiping, and telling and hearing something new.
As a general thing the first court house, after having served the pur-
pose of its erection, was torn down and conveyed to the rear of some
remote lot, and thereafter was made to serve the purpose of an obscure
cow stable, in some dark alley. There is little of the poetic and roman-
tic in the makeup of western society, and the old court, after it was
superceded by a more elaborate and showy structure, ceased to be
regarded with reverence and awe. It was then looked upon as only the
aggregation of so many hickory or oak logs, and the practical eye of the
modern citizen could see nothing in it, but the aforesaid logs, and, in
his estimate of its value, nothing but calculation relative to the number
of horses, hogs, or number of bushels of grain, which these reconstructed
logs would accommodate, were the only conditions bearing on those
estimates.
In a new country, where every energy of the people is necessarily
employed in the practical work of earning a living, and the always urgent
and ever present question of bread and butter is up for solution, people
cannot be expected to devote much time to the poetic and ideal. It
therefore followed that nothing was retained, as a useless relic, which
could be turned to some useful account, but it is a shame that people of
4#0 HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
modern times have such little reverence for the relics of former days.
After these houses ceased to be available for business purposes, and their
removal was determined on, they should have been taken to some other
part of the town or city, and located on some lot, purchased by public
subscription, where they might have remained to have at least witnessed
the semi-centennial of the country's history. It is sad, in their haste to
grow rich, so few have care, even for the early work of their own hands.
How many of the early settlers have preserved their first habitations ?
The sight of that humble cabin would be a source of much consolation
in old age, as it reminded the owner of the trials and triumphs of other
times, and its presence would go far toward reconciling the coming gen-
eration with theirs, when comparing its humble appearance with the
modern residences, whose extensive apartments are beginning to be too
unpretentious for the enterprising and irrepressible young American.
FIRST COURT HOUSE.
At the November term of the county court the following was issued :
" Ordered that R. M. Barkhurst be appointed superintendent for
building a court house in the town of Oregon, and that he let the same
to the lowest bidder, on the 13th day of the present month, at the house
of G. Ray."
At the December term, 1841 , held at the house of G. Ray, it was
■" Ordered, as the order passed at the last term of said court was not
entered of record, it is now ordered to wit : Ordered that a court house
be built in the town of Oregon, in Holt County, of the following descrip-
tion and dimensions : A frame house, 20x26 feet, two stories high, to
be set in a rock wall eighteen inches thick and thirty inches high, eigh-
teen inches thereof under ground, and that above ground to be laid in
lime mortar ; the sills to be 8x10 inches square, the posts to be eight
inches square, rabbitted. The first story nine feet high in the clear,
with three windows, two of which to contain fifteen lights each, and one
of twelve lights, the glass of all to be 10x12 inches. One outside door,
to be folding panel of three feet eight inches wide, qne and one-half
• inch thick, a transom sash over it with four lights, the glass 10x12. One
flight of winding stairs, neatly cased up, and stair door paneled. The
weather-boarding to be of walnut plank, five-eighths of an inch thick,
jointed. The second story to be seven feet in. the clear, with three
windows of twelve lights each, 10x12 inches ; with two rooms in the
upper story, with a ledge door leading from head of the stairs into each
of the other rooms ; all the doors to be neatly cased up, etc., with suf-
fHcient locks to each door ; the roof to be of walnut shingles ; a trap
door in the ceiling leading to the garret ; the floors to be of oak plank,
•one inch thick, well seamed, etc. ; the whole house to be lathed and plas-
PUBLIC BUILDINGS AND IMPROVEMENTS. 48 1
tered inside, two coats and a whitewash ; the entire building to be com-
pleted by June 10, 1842, and to be set up on lot 5, in block 7, in the town
of Oregon, fronting twenty feet on Nodaway Street and twenty-six on
Washington Street."
At the same time it was ordered that the sum of $659 dollars be
appropriated for the building of said court house, to be paid out of any
money in the treasury not otherwise appropriated, arising out of the
sale of lots in the town of Oregon.
The contract for building this house was let to Jesse Carroll. The
appliances for facilitating labor in those days, were few, and anything
but readily attainable in this primitive condition of things in the country,
and the contractor was under the necessity of asking an extension of
time, wherein to complete the house, which extension was granted by
the court. We also find by an order issued July 6, 1842, that the con-
tractor of the court house was authorized to make an additional door
and five windows, and to make moulding to the doors and windows, to
make shutters to the windows, etc., for all which said work, he was " to
charge a reasonable price."
On the 3rd day of October, 1842, R. M. Barkhurst, superintendent
of the building of the court house, in the town of Oregon, reported to
the county court, that having examined the work done by Jesse Carroll,
the contractor, he finds the same done according to contract, except a
coat of whitewash, which said contractor agreed to have done imme-
diately. Whereupon, the court ordered that the building be received.
SECOND COURT HOUSE.
Before the lapse of the first decade in the county's history, its pro-
gress and growing importance seemed to warrant the erection of a
temple of justice more in harmony with its advancing fortunes, and, in
October, 1850, a second court house was determined on. Accordingly,
on the first day of the November term, 1850, the contract for a brick
building forty-four feet square and two stories high, was let to H. Wat-
son, for $4,995. Judges Watson, Gibson and Dozier, then occupied the
county bench. The building was a plain but neat structure, with hip
roof, and stood in the center of the beautiful public square for which
the town of Oregon is justly and widely celebrated. Further appropri-
ations to properly complete the structure, raised the entire cost to about
$6,000. The foundation for this court house was surveyed by S. C.
Collins.
THE THIRD COURT HOUSE.
Early in the summer of 1881, it was determined by the county court,
in obedience to the wish of a large majority of the tax-payers, to erect
31
482 HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
a new court house, or rather, to remodel and reconstruct the old building
which had stood, for thirty years, no discreditable monument of the
enterprise and progressive spirit of the day and generation in which it
was built. Accordingly at the May term, 1881, the contract was let to
Moses Bennett, " for the erection of three new additions and the remod-
eling of the court house of the city of Oregon," for the sum of $8,500.
Subsequently a further sum of eleven hundred dollars was appropriated
to properly complete the structure. The work of taking down the old
building was commenced early in June, and the business of reconstruct-
ing immediately followed, under the direction of Levi Zook, architect
and superintendent. By the 13th of December, 188 1, the edifice was
completed, received by the court, and occupied. With the exception of
the foundation and a portion of the brick wall of the first story, the build-
ing is entirely new, and no vestige of the original house is recognizable
in the elegant structure whose faultless proportions grace the site of the
comparatively homely building which till recently stood on its founda-
tions.
At first glance, the new court house suggests the idea of a Greek
cross, so nearly equibrachial is its .ground plan. Careful observation,
however, reveals the fact that such is not the case. The main building
is forty-five feet square. In the center of the north front, the area of
the base of the tower, which rises to an altitude of about seventy-five
feet to the head of the eagle which crowns its summit, is fifteen feet
square. Near the middle of the east, and also of the west side of the
building, is a projection fifteen feet by twenty-two, extending to and
taking in the second and mansard stories. In the center of the south
side, which is the rear of the building, is another extension fifteen feet
in length, and projecting nine feet. Approaching the building by the
front, or north entrance, the fifteen by fifteen foot vestibule, which con-
stitutes the ground floor of the tower, and is paved with stone slabs^
reveals .the presence of a massive and elegant double staircase leading
on either hand to the upper stories. The bannister and newels of this
staircase are of black walnut, elegant in design and massive in construc-
tion. A hall ten feet wide runs from the north to the south vestibule.
On the west side of this hall, with windows looking north and west, is
the circuit clerk's office, a room twenty-six by sixteen feet. South of
this, on the same side of the hall, is the probate court room, sixteen feet
square, with a window looking southward and another westward. Both
these rooms open into the extension above described, fifteen by twenty
feet, which is a fire proof room designed for the accommodation of the
vault and safes of the two offices. The rooms on the east, or opposite
side of the hall, are of corresponding size and similar proportions and
appointments, and accommodate respectively, the larger the county
clerk's office, and the smaller, the county collector's office. Like their
n
o
H
X
o
c
>
H
O
w
o
o
2;
re
o
r
H
n
o
-z,
PUBLIC BUILDINGS AND IMPROVEMENTS. 4^3
neighbors on the opposite side of the hall, both these rooms open into a
fire proof vault, fifteen by twenty- two feet in dimensions, located in the
east extension.
The ceiling of the ground floor is ten feet in the clear. Ascending
to the second floor, a double swinging folding door, of handsome design,
opens from the stair landing into the circuit court room, a spacious
apartment, forty-five feet square, with fourteen and a half foot ceiling.
In the center of the rear end of the room is an alcove nine feet deep
and fifteen long, directly over the south or rear vestibule, of correspond-
ing size. Two lateral apartments, one on the east and another on the
west side of the room, accommodate themselves to the proportions of
the vault or safe rooms below.
The third or mansard story, from the nature of its design, is some-
what smaller than the area of the lower floors. Its dimensions are
thirty-nine feet square, and the lateral rooms or recesses of the same are
of correspondingly reduced proportions.
The external appearance of the building is no less attractive, in the
harmony of its proportions, than are the internal construction and
appointments of the same, while the faultless taste displayed in the light,
relieved by dark drab coloring, with which the walls are painted, and
fanciful coloring of the mansard roof, render the building not only
striking in appearance, but sufficiently up to the standard of correct taste
to meet the approval of the most fastidious critic. Near the summit of
the tower are four circular dial spaces, four and a half feet diameter, and
facing the cardinal points. A clock is soon to be placed in the tower,
when these dials will subserve their proper purpose. The handsome
weather cock which crowns the summit of this clock tower, is not
unworthy of a passing notice. The design is an elaborately gilt eagle,
with extended wings, measuring four feet from tip to tip. It was pur-
chased in Detroit, Michigan, and placed in position at an expense of
about fifty dollars.
Though there are many court houses in the country which are much
larger, and which perhaps have cost many times the expense ot erecting
this building, Holt enjoys the satisfaction of possessing not only the
cheapest structure of the kind in the state, considering its actual value,
but one which compares in point of external appearance with the best
in the land.
The records of the adjourned term of the county court, under date
of December 13, 1881, set forth the following in reference to the new
court house :
"Said Levi Zook not having made any charge for his services as;
superintendent of the improvements on said court house, the county
court hereby tender to the said Levi Zook their sincere thanks for his,
faithful and attentive supervision of said improvements."
4^4 HISTORY OF HOI.T COUNTY.
TAILS.
The first jail in the county was a log structure at the county seat.
It stood in block eight, one block from the northeast corner of the court
house square, and was put up by Jesse Carroll shortly after the comple-
tion of the first court house.
The second jail was built in 1859, of stone, and in 1876 it was
remodeled with brick, the building being enlarged and otherwise
improved in light and ventilation. The architect in each instance was
Jesse Carroll. The jail occupies the southeast corner of the public
square, is two stories high and contains six rooms, two of which are
cells for prisoners. The jailer and his family reside in the building.
PUBLIC SQUARE.
One of the most attractive features of the town of Oregon is the
public square of two and a half acres, in the center of which the neat
and substantial structure of the present court house rears its elegant
proportions.
In an early day E. Van Buskirk, Esq., was appointed court yard
commissioner, and under his instructions the ground was plowed up
and set in blue grass. The county, however, made no appropriation for
further improvement than building in 1852 a fence around its limits.
The presence of the beautiful grove which envelops the entire area
of the park in a dense shade when the trees are clothed with foliage is
due to the voluntary and individual enterprise of the citizens of the
town. In [856 at the instance chiefly of William Zook the square was
■set in Cottonwoods. In the dry season of that year most of these per-
ished, only a few, indeed, surviving. In the following year the citizens,
headed by J. Levy — now (1882) a resident of Omaha, and, at that time,
bookkeeper for Peter & Ovelman, merchants of Oregon — turned out and
determined that their court yard should be planted with at least one
specimen of every tree indigenous to the county. This idea was
promptly acted upon and enlarged. Not only are there native tiees,
but several foreign varieties are growing in this charming enclosure. A
few varieties have died and some of the larger Cottonwoods have been
culled out. The whole number now (1882) growing amounts to about
two hundred and forty. These include the White Maple or Acer dasy-
■carpum, the Water Beach, Sugar Maple — Acer saccharinum, Box Elder
— Negundo aceroides, Silver Poplar — Populus alba, Lombardy Poplar —
Populus dilatata, Balm of Gilead — P. Candicus, American Aspen —
Populus tremuloides, Cottonwood — P. monilfera, Honey Locust — G.
triacanthus, Common Locust — R. plendacacia, Black Walnut — Juglans
nigra, Hackberry — Ceitis occidentalis, American Elm — U. Americana,
PUBLIC BUILDINGS AND IMPROVEMENTS. 48$
Slippery Elm — Ulmas Fulva, Gray Ash — F. Americana, Blue Ash — F,
quadrangulata, Black Willow — Calix nigra, Ironwood — Ostrya vir-
ginica, Sycamore — Platanus occidentalis, Coffee Bean — Faba vulgaris,
Wahoo — E. atropurpureus, Redbud — Cercis Canadensis, Crab Apple —
Pyrus coronaria, Mountain Ash — Pyrus Americana, Apple — Pyrus
mains, Chokecherry — Cerasus Virginiana, Dogwood — Comus stridor,
Murello Cherry — Cerasus vulgaris, European Larch— Ztfrz'.? Europaea,
Scotch Pine — Pinus, Norway Spruce — Albies excelsa, Larch — Larix
Amencana, Abor Vitae — Thuja occidentalis, Catalpa — C. bignonioides,
Horse Chestnut — A. hippocastanum. Many of these trees have
attained an altitude of from forty to fifty feet, and the whole, in the
summer season, affords a shade so dense as almost to entirely obscure
the view of the building from the surrounding streets. The old plank
fence built around the park by the county in 1852 gave place in the
spring of 1877 to an elegant balustrade enclosing the entire area and
protected by an external chain. This was erected chiefly by the liber-
ality of the citizens of the town, and was completed at a cost of $1,200.
The elevation of the site of this court house is 1,113 above the sea level.
HOLT COUNTY POOR FARM.
In the spring of 1873 a tract of 145 acres in Lewis Township, one
mile northwest of Oregon, was purchased from Jeptha Martin, and a
spacious and comfortable two-story brick house erected thereon, for the
purpose of affording a retreat for the poor and afflicted of the county,
who were unable to maintain themselves. The entire cost of the farm
and improvements was $10,077. It is claimed that no county has had
better success in securing faithful and efficient managers. The first
superintendent appointed was J. G. Cottrell. He served till 1S77, when
he was succeeded by D. Ware, who continued to manage the institution
till 1879, when the present (1882) superintendent, Philip Kollmer, was
appointed.
CHAPTER XIX.
HOLT COUNTY BENCH AND BAR.
HON HENRY S KELLEY-DANIEL ZOOK, ESQ.-E. VANBUSKIRK-HON T. C. DUNGAN—
HON. THOM \S H. PARR1SH-HON. JAME-. LIMBIRD— CHARLES W. THOMAS, ESQ.—
L R. KNOWLES, ESQ —LEIGH H. IRVINE— SAMUEL F. O'FALLON— EARLY MEMBERS
OF TrfE BAR.
Below will be found short sketches of the men who constitute the
present members of the bench and bar of Holt County. At the conclu-
sion of the chapter the names of a number of the pioneer attorneys and
many of their successors, will be given without any reference to chrono-
logical arrangement :
HON. HENRY S. KELLEY,
present circuit judge, was born in Hamilton County, Ohio, near Cincin-
nati, on the 18th day of December, 1832. His father, Sarauel Kelley,
was born in Ohio, and was a merchant and farmer. His mother's maiden
name was Mary Holder, who was also a native of Ohio. The subject of
this sketch was raised on a farm, and received his education in the com-
mon schools of his native county. He studied law and was admitted to
the bar at Marion, Indiana, in 1853. From 1854 to 1856 he was prose-
cuting attorney of a district in Indiana, and from 1856 to i860 was judge
of the common pleas court, embracing the counties of Grant, Blackford
and Delaware. In 1861, September, he moved to Dakota Territory, and
in 1863, he removed, going to Iowa. In 1866 he came to Andrew County,
Missouri, locating at Savannah, where he engaged in the practice of his
profession, continuing therein until April, 1872, when he was elected judge
of the Twentieth Judicial Circuit. He was again re-elected judge in 1874
and in 1880, and is the present incumbent of that office.
Judge Kelley is the author of " Kelley's Treatise for Justices and
Constables in the State of Missouri," published in 1869, a book contain-
ing 800 pages, and revised in 1881. He is also the author of " Criminal
Law and Practice," published in 1876, 700 pages, and author of the " Pro-
bate Guide," published in 1872.
Since 1872 he has, at stated times, lectured on Criminal Law and
Practice in Missouri, at the State University. He lectures also on Med-
ical Jurisprudence, in the St. Joseph College of Physicians and Surgeons,
and is a contributor to the Central Law Journal, St. Louis.
BENCH AND BAR. 487
He married Miss Adelia Harlan, in 1855, at Sturgis, Michigan, who
was the daughter of Andrew J. Harlan, of Marion, Indiana. They have
seven children, five boys and two girls, the eldest being twenty-two years
of age.
Judge Kelley was a Democrat until the organization of the Repub-
lican party ; since then he has been a Republican. He is a member of
the Ancient Order of United Workmen, but has no religious preferences.
He is a good lawyer and an able jurist.
DANIEL ZOOK.
With perhaps one exception, Mr. Zook may be considered the
pioneer member of the Holt County bar. His parents were of German
extraction, and were natives of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. His
father's name was Daniel, and his mother was Anna Forney. At an early
period they moved to Wayne County, Ohio, where the subject of this
sketch was born, in September, 183 1, and in the spring of 1842, came to
Holt County, Missouri, and located three miles south of Oregon, in East
Lewis Township. Mr. Zook obtained his education, partly in the com-
mon schools, but the greater part of it through a private instructor, the
Rev. Mr. Raney, a Presbyterian minister at Oregon, a man of scholarly
attainments. He commenced the study of the law in 1846, with Colonel
John W. Kelly and James Foster, the two members who then composed
the Holt County bar, and was admitted to the practice at Oregon, in
1848.
He resided in Oregon till the fall of 1857, when he removed to Forest
City, where he resided till the fall of 1863, when he returned to Oregon,
where he has since lived. He was married in 1852, to Cordelia Dozier,
of Holt County. Her death occurred in August, 1874. By this union
they had seven children. All are dead except Willie Lee and Daniel
Roy, the former now nearly twenty-two years of age, and the latter seven.
Mr. Zook was again married in 1877, to Miss Annie B. Henning. No
children by this marriage. Politically, Mr. Zook is a Democrat. During
the years of 1863-64, he served as prosecuting attorney of Holt County.
In 1865 he formed a law partnership with E. VanBuskirk, which con-
tinued till the spring of 1874, when he became the partner of Thomas H.
Parrish. This partnership was dissolved after some two or three years,
since which time Mr. Zook has been alone in the practice. During his
long and uninterrupted residence in the county, he has been intimately
and honorably identified with its interests.
E. VAN BUSKIRK.
The ancestors of Mr. Van Buskirk were from Holland. His grand-
father moved from Maryland to Pennsylvania, and from the latter state
488 HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
his father, Lawrence Van Buskirk, emigrated to Ohio. The subject of
this sketch was born in Richland County, Ohio, on the 25th of February,
1822, and continued to reside in that state until nineteen years of age.
He laid the foundation for a substantial English education, at the old
log school house in his native county. When in the 20th year of his age,
he accompanied his uncle, Daniel Van Buskirk, to Andrew County, Mis-
souri. Here he worked on a farm and also at the printer's business.
He was connected with the first newspaper published at Savannah — the
Savannah Western Empire — which he established for L. D. Nash, the
publisher. After a brief stay in Savannah, he went to Platte County,
Missouri, where he began the publication of the Weston Empire at Wes-
ton. In 1848 he returned to Savannah and became the editor and pro-
prietor of the Western Empire, which he continued to publish till 1849.
In the spring of 1852, he came to Holt County, and in 1853, was
elected clerk of the circuit court. This position he held for a term of
six years, and was then re-elected, remaining clerk until May, 1865.
While in this office, he prosecuted the study of law, and was admitted to
the bar in 1865. For nine years he was a partner of Daniel Zook, but
since the spring of 1874, he has been alone in the practice.
Previous to the war, he was a member of the Democratic party, and
is still a Democrat. He was an unconditional Union man during the
war, and was elected a member of the Missouri State Convention, which
convened in 1861, " to consider the existing relations between the United
States, the people and government of the different states, and the gov-
ernment and people of the State of Missouri," and to consider what
steps should be taken by Missouri. This convention held Missouri in
the Union, and voted down the ordinance of secession, to which action
Mr. Van Buskirk gave his hearty support. He was married in December,
1844, to Eliza J. Hart, of Andrew County, Missouri, by whom he has had
six children, four of whom are living.
He is well and favorably known throughout Holt County as a good
citizen, an able lawyer, and as a man of strict integrity.
HON. T. C. DUNGAN.
Hon. T. C. Dungan was born in Colerain, Belmont County, Ohio,
on the 3d day of April, 1840. His father's name was B. Ellis Dungan.
His mother's name was Sarah S. Fox, the daughter of Josiah Fox, an
Englishman, who emigrated to America, and was for a time naval con-
structor at Washington. Both his father and mother were of Quaker
descent.
Mr. Dungan was raised to manhood in his native county, where he
attended the common schools. He afterwards attended Vermillion
Institute, Ohio, where he remained until the institution was closed on
BENCH AND BAR. 489
account of the civil war. He then taught school a short time in Bel-
mont County, finally joining an Ohio regiment, where he served in
behalf of the Union cause. In 1865 he commenced the study of law with
Hon. William S. Kennon, of St. Clairsville, Ohio, a member of Congress
and judge in that judicial district. He was admitted to practice on the
12th of September, 1866, and within a few days came west, locating at
Oregon, Holt County, Missouri. Here he formed a law partnership
with Thomas H. Parrish and Thomas J. Hawthorne. This partnership
terminated in the spring of 1867. In July, 1869, he formed a partnership
with William R. Kelly, which continued till July, 1871, from which time
he has continued to practice alone. He was appointed county attorney
in 1868, and on the formation of the Twenty-ninth Judicial Circuit he
was chosen circuit attorney at a special election held in April, 1871, and
served in that capacity till January, 1872, when he entered upon a two
years term as prosecuting attorney. Politically, he has always been a
Republican. He was elected to the State Senate in 1880, in which posi-
tion he served his constituents with fidelity and ability.
On the 13th day of May, 1879, he married Miss Fannie I. Soper.
By this union they have had one child, Estella F., now two years of age.
Mr. Dungan applies himself closely to his profession, and as a law-
yer he ranks among the best in Northwest Missouri.
*
HON. THOMAS H. PARRISH.
Confessedly one of the best criminal lawyers in Northwest Missouri,
is he whose name heads this sketch. Mr. Parrish is a native of Putnam
County, Indiana, where he was born July 22, 1838. His father's name
was Abel Parrish, and his mother's name was Berthsheba Rush. Mr.
Parrish while quite young attended the common schools of his native
county, where he successfully laid the foundation for a good English
education. In i860, he entered the law school at Greencastle, Indiana,
where he was graduated in June, 1862, having previously read law with
Hon. P. J. Goss, at Osceola, Iowa. After leaving school, he came back to
Iowa, and stayed in Adams County, till 1864, when he left, with the
intention of locating in Kansas City. Reaching Oregon, Holt County*
Missouri, he concluded to remain, and began the practice of law with
George W. Crow. This partnership continued for about three months,
when he formed a partnership with T. W. Collins, which lasted about
one year. He then became a member of the law firm of Dungan, Haw-
thorn & Parrish, opening an office in Oregon, and at Rock Port, Atchi-
son County. After one year this firm dissolved by mutual consent,
since which time Mr. Parrish has prosecuted his profession alone.
He was elected a member of the State Senate in 1876, serving in
that body till 1880. While in the Senate he was placed on the Revising
49° HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
Committee, and ably assisted in collating and revising the Statutes of
of the State.
In 1858 he married Miss Anna Parrish, daughter of Edward Parrish,
of Indiana. By this union they have had five children, all of whom are
dead, excepting Lou Nettie and Nettie Winter.
Politically he is a Democrat, and has ever affiliated with that party.
As a lawyer, he ranks high in his profession, having been retained,
either in the prosecution or defense of every important civil or criminal
case that has been tried in the courts of his county. Possessing a fine
physique, and being in robust health, his labors in behalf of his clients
are unremitting.
HON. JAMES LIMBIRD.
Mr. Limbird is a native of England, born at Bicker, Lincolnshire,
on the 24th day of July, 1843. He came, with his fafher, to America, in
1853, tne family settling in Allen County, Ohio. His parents dying when
he was still a mere youth he was left, at an early age, to commence for
himself the battle of life. His chances to obtain an education were lim-
ited, receiving but a few months schooling before leaving England. After
reaching Ohio he worked on a farm until he was eighteen years of age,
when he enlisted as a private, in 1861, in the Twenty-seventh Ohio
Infantry. He was disabled at Corinth, and, as a veteran, went into
McLaughlin's squadron of cavalry, in which he served till November,
1865. From April till November, 1865, he was chief clerk in the Adjutant
General's office of North Carolina. He participated in twenty-four bat-
tles, besides taking part in the three months campaign around Atlanta.
Returning to Ohio, in the fall of 1865, and, teaching school the follow-
ing winter, he came to Carroll County, Missouri, in the spring of 1866,
where he again taught school, as he did also in Mercer County, where,
in March, 1867, he married Miss Josie Arbuckle, a native of Ohio. He
returned to Carroll County in the spring of 1869 and, in 1870, began the
study of law. He was admitted to practice in July, 1872, at Carrollton,
and began practice at Norborne, in that county. He came to Oregon,
Holt County, Missouri, in 1874, and resumed his profession. In 1874 he
was chosen prosecuting attorney of the county and, in 1876, was re-elected
to the same position. Mr. Limbird is a Republican. While county
attorney he was engaged in prosecuting some of the most important
criminal cases ever tried in Holt County, and attended to the duties of
his office with great fidelity. He was elected to the lower house of the
State Legislature, in 1880, and is the present incumbent of that office.
CHARLES W. THOMAS.
Charles W. Thomas is the son of George W. and Dorathy M.
Thomas, of German and Scotch extraction. He is a native of Lewis
BENCH AND BAR. 49I
County, Kentucky, where he was born on the 29th day of October, 1852.
His parents came to Holt County, Missouri, in 1858, and located in what
is known as the Kentucky settlement, six miles north of the county seat.
Mr. Thomas attended the common schools for two years, and in
1870 entered the Kirksville normal school, where he was finally graduated
in 1875. Having completed his collegiate course, he began the study of
the law a!one, purchasing such books as he needed from time to time,
and was admitted to the bar of Holt County, in May, 1879, since which
time he has been actively engaged in the duties of his profession.
In 1879, ne married Miss Serelda Gilstrap, who is a native of Macon
County, Missouri. They have no children.
Mr. Thomas is very studious and energetic, and by his strict atten-
tion to business and his upright integrity, he is gradually winning the
confidence of the people, increasing his business and widening the sphere
of his usefulness.
L. R. KNOWLES.
Mr. Knowles, is a native of Michigan, where he was born about 1847.-
His education was mainly received in the public schools, and after reach-
ing the years of maturity, he engaged in teaching. He came to Andrew
County, Missouri in 187-, and located at Savannah. He continued his
vocation as a teacher, for some little time in Andrew County. Finally
choosing the law as a profession, he entered the law office of Judge H.
S. Kelley, at Savannah, and was later admitted to practice. He then
came to Holt County and established himself in the practice, which
he has since pursued, with'wgreat dilligence. He was elected prosecuting
attorney for Holt County in 18 — , and is now the present incumbent of
that office. Mr. Knowles attends closely to his business, and as a prose-
cutor, has been very successful.. His genial disposition and sterling
worth have secured him a host of friends.
W LEIGH H. IRVINE.
Mr. Irvine is the youngest member of the Holt County bar. He is
the son ol Clark Irvine, and was born at Oregon, Holt County,
Missouri, on the 28th day of November, i860. At the age of eighteen
years he entered the law office of T. C. Dungan, where he continued his
study of the law until 1880, when he attended the Law University of
Missouri, where he was graduated in 1881. He was admitted to the bar
of Holt County, on diploma, after making a test case before the Supreme
Court, in 1881. In May, 1881, he formed a law partnership with Samuel
F. O'Fallon, which continues to exist at this time.
Mr. Irvine is young, ambitious, studious and fond of literature, and
is destined at no very distant day to take his place with the most prom-
inent lawyers of Northwest Missouri.
492
HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
SAMUEL F. OFALLON.
Samuel F. O'Fallon, another one of the younger members of the
Holt County bar, was born in Scott County, Minnesota, in 1858. He is
the son of John and Elizabeth O'Fallon, and moved to Oregon, Holt
County, Missouri, in 1879. Soon after his coming, he entered the normal
school at Oregon, and graduated in the fall of that year. He then
entered the law office of Charles W. Thomas, Esq., and applied himself
closely to the study of law, and was admitted to practice in 1880. He
afterward formed a partnership, in May, 1881, with L. H. Irvine, Esq.,
which still continues to exist. Having a high regard for the profession
he has chosen, and possessing an abundance of pluck, he is destined to
occupy a front rank among his contemporaries at the bar.
EARLY MEMBERS OF THE BAR.
Peter H. Burnett,
Benjamin Hays,
Solomon L. Leonard,
James Baldwin,
Elias P. West,
James Foster,
John C. Morris,
Robert Wilson,
Henry M. Vories.
Prince L. Hudgens,
Edwin Toole,
Sandford M. Hastings,
John M. Young,
Theodore^D. Wheaton,
James Craig,
Frank Warmcastle,
W. P. Hall,
James B. Gardenhire,
James S. Thomas,
Frederick Greenough,
Christopher P. Brown,
John W. Kelly,
George W. Crow,
Alex. W. Doniphan,
Benjamin Loan,
CHAPTER XX.
CRIMES.
TRIAL OF JOHN LAWRENCE-SIMERO TRAGEDY— KILLING OF JOHN TAYLOR.
TRIAL OF JOHN LAWRENCE, CHARGED WITH THE KILLING OF HIS
FATHER.
One of the most interesting trials for murder that ever took place
in Holt County, was that of John Lawrence, for killing his own father, in
January, 1876. The brutal character of the murder gave it wide circu-
lation when it happened, and aroused public feeling and indignation
againsed the unknown perpetrator to a degree, seldom, if ever known in
the history of Holt County. *
Hiram Lawrence was a wifeless farmer, who owned a farm about
three miles southeast of the town of Craig, on the Council Bluffs road in
Holt County. He was a native of Indiana, and some twenty years pre-
vious to his demise, settled in this county. During the war he disposed
of his property in the southeastern part of the county, and bought and
moved on the farm where he was killed. He had a son — John Lawrence
who was born in Indiana and came west with his father, with whom he
resided from boyhood until the time of the tragedy.
A separation had taken place between Mr. Lawrence and his wife
several years before the paracide. Since that time he had remained
single. His mother, an aged woman, had for some years been his house-
keeper. The three, Mr. Lawrence, his son and mother, constituted the
family. On the evening of Sunday, the 9th day of January, 1876, Hiram
Lawrence left his home, near sunset, or soon after. He left no word
that he would remain late, or that unusual business called him out. His
son John had gone from home some time in the afternoon, or some time
earlier than his father. The mother - retired before Hiram Lawrence
returned. In the morning, the fact that he had not returned caused Mrs-
Lawrence to be much alarmed, and the neighbors were immediately
informed.
A suspicion of foul play was immediately raised, and the neighbors
proceeded to search the neighborhood for evidences of his whereabouts.
No one had seen him since his leaving the house. An unfriendly state
494 HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
of feeling was known to have existed between the father and son, and
this fact, with the lack of interest the son seemed to manifest in the
search for his father, directed suspicion against him. He joined in the
search, however, and no expression of the suspicion was made. No
traces of the missing man were found on Monday. On Tuesday, the
parties renewed their efforts, and during the forenoon of that day, the
body of Hiram Lawrence was found on a hillside, in the brush, about a
half a mile south of his residence. When discovered, the face was down,
and the appearances indicated that a most brutal murder had been com-
mitted. His hat was lying by the body, and in it were three bullet holes.
There were three bullet marks on the body, one directly in the back of
the head, one in the left cheek, and one on the right side of the neck.'
Bullets were extracted from the face and neck, but the doctor failed to
obtain the one from the head. By the side of the body lay a large club,
a white oak sapling, some eight feet long and three inches thick at the
butt, with which the back of the skull had been beaten until it was
totally crushed in. The head presented the most sickening aspect.
The party with which John Lawrence was hunting was in another
direction when the bodv was found, and when the news came of the
finding of the body, instead of going to the spot, John went home and
waited until it was brought in. The body was taken home. Suspicion
pointed so strongly against young Lawrence that a warrant was issued,
and he was placed under arrest. In the afternoon an inquest was held and
a large amount of testimony taken, the jury bringing in a verdict of mur-
der, and giving it as their opinion that John Lawrence did the deed. A
pair of John's boots, which he acknowledged to have worn on the even-
ing of his father's disappearance, were taken and compared with tracks
found leading to where the body lay, and ascertained to fit them
exactly. The bullets taken from the face and neck were found to fit a
revolver in the house, which John had been using, and also a pair of
molds, with which they had been made. A coat of his, which he
acknowledged to have worn on the fatal night, was stained with blood,
which corresponded in appearance to that on the body. Young Law-
rence was placed in jail at Oregon, and some time in February, 1876,
had a preliminary examination before a justice of the peace and was
bound over.
At the April term of the Holt Circuit Court, the grand jury returned
an indictment for murder against him. His trial was continued to the
May term. Messrs. T. H. Parrish and J. W. Stokes, of Oregon, were
retained as his attorneys, and at the May term they succeeded in obtain-
ing another continuation. Soon after a change of venue from Holt to
the Buchanan circuit was obtained, where the trial took place in July,
1876.
CRIMES. 495
At the time of the trial young Lawrence was about twenty-six years
of age, almost six feet high and something of a giant in appearance.
Though not particularly fleshy, he weighed over two hundred pounds, and
possessed a splendid form. His face was muscular looking and some-
what phlegmatic ; light complexion, brown hair, dark mustache and life-
less gray eyes, except when kindled by some outward scene or internal
thought. He had been married, but his wife and one child had been
dead some years.
The jury which had been selected from the pannel to try the case
were Samuel Juda, James P. Pettigrew, M. M. Claggett, William B. Van
Bibber, Calvin Wyatt, J. M. Johnson, Edward Robidoux, P. B. Allison, J.
J. Johnson and Jonathan B. Smith. The prosecution was represented by
James Limbird, Esq., Prosecuting Attorney of Holt County, E. Van
Buskirk, Esq., of Oregon, and John D. Strong, of St. Joseph, Missouri.
The defense was represented by Captain T. H. Parrish and J. W. Stokes,
Esq., of Oregon. Mr. Van Buskirk examined for the state, and Mr.
Parrish cross-examined for the defense.
The trial of the case continued through many days and the evi-
dence being voluminous, we have room only for that portion of it which
shows the guilt of the accused and the atrocity of the deed, which,
taken all in all, has hardly a parallel in the criminal record of Northwest
Missouri.
T. C. Simpson was the first witness called by the state. He testified
as follows: " I was acquainted with Hiram Lawrence, the deceased, and
have been acquainted with John Lawrence, his son. I last saw Hiram Law-
rence alive about the 9th of January last (1876). I assisted in the search
for his body ; the search was continued over Monday and part of Tuesday.
His body was found about half a mile away from the house ; I saw it
while it lay on the ground ; one of his pockets was open, as though it had
been robbed. Hiram Lawrence had on a blouse and a pair of overalls ;
the left pants pocket was open ; his hat Was lying a foot or so from the
body ; his face was all mashed into the ground ; the back of his head was
mashed in, so that his ears were standing above it ; the back of his head
was covered with wounds ; several large cuts ran across it ; there were
three holes in the hat ; a large white oak club was lying near the body ;
it was bloody towards the lower end and had hair on it that looked like
the old man's hair. We took the body to the house in a spring wagon ;
we found some tracks leading to the body ; I examined them ; one was
made with a coarse boot with a wide heel. We took the boots of John
Lawrence and tried them in the tracks we found and they fit them
precisely; I followed the tracks from the body sixty or eighty yards,
leading to a ravine, from where the tracks ascended. About this dis-
tance I covered up two tracks with leaves, so they would not be dis-
turbed, and I went and fitted the boots in them ; the right boot fitted it
496 HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
exactly, the small heel and runover counter just matching it. William
Drury and others assisted me in measuring the tracks. The place where
the body was found was nearly southwest, I think, from the house.
John Lawrence was at the inquest ; when we were trying to fit the balls
we had taken from the old man's head in a pair of revolver molds he
said : ' If you want to get the molds that bullet was run in get Doud
Browning's bullet molds.' I saw the ball taken from his neck. John said
he borrowed the revolver from Ben Shunk ; Shunk said it was his pistol ;
he said so after the body was found ; John Lawrence said he borrowed
it to kill some cats with ; he said it would shoot three barrels at a time.
(A coat being shown the witness, he said :) This is John Lawrence's
coat ; he said it was his after the murder ; John Lawrence was with my
company when the body was found ; John asked us if we had hunted in
the woods ; we passed by not far from where the body was afterwards
found ; he did not go with us to the body ; he went back to the house,
and looked confused when the body was found. John was there when
we reached the house."
Ridley Shaw examined : "I assisted in the hunt for the body, and
was near by when it was found ; he seemed to be terribly mangled ; I
took his boots off, I believe, myself; I saw a couple of tracks, I suppose,
forty or fifty yards east of Lawrence's house ; one track seemed to have
a narrow heel, the other a wide heel ; I traced those tracks probably a
half a mile from the house — distant within sixty or seventy yards of the
body ; the tracks appeared to be coming from the direction of Mr. Schultz's
residence ; I measured several tracks then, but did not fit any boots in
them ; I measured the boots John Lawrence said were his, and which he
had on that night ; the measure corresponded with the boots very well ;
I believe that the right boot was a little bit run down ; there was a small
indentation on the sole, that had left an impression on the ground ; the
impression in the ground seemed to correspond with the indentation in
the boot very well ; I think it was the heel of the left boot that was run
down ; I noticed in the track coming from Schultz's, where a club had
been cut ; it was a burr oak club, seven or eight feet in length, and prob-
ably two and one-half inches through in the largest part ; it was about
fifty or sixty steps from where the body was found ; when we found the
club, it was lying very close to the body, probably within three or four
feet ; the hair on the club compared with the hairs of the deceased very
well ; the body was lying on its breast ; I think there was a glove on the
left hand ; his head was lying north ; his face was partly sunk in the
ground ; was present when they made the post mortem examination ;
did not hear John Lawrence make any statement ; do not know what kind
of an animal John rode to Mound City on Monday ; I do not know
whether John had any means to subsist on ; the circumstances of the old
man were very good ; he was worth probably six or seven thousand dol-
CRIMES. 497
lars; he had some land, some hogs, catfle and mules. I do not know of
a reputed marriage between one Jane Shunk and the deceased. (The
witness here identified the coat and hat of the deceased.) The relations
between John and his father always seemed to me to be agreeable ; I
examined the boots, and found a little blood on them ; I also found a
little blood on the sleeve of the coat.
John Sales examined : " I was present in the search for the deceased.
I saw John Lawrence, and remained over night on Monday with him.
I was not present when the body was found ; I first heard of Lawrence's
absence about 1:30 P. M., Monday ; about 10 o'clock Mr. Browning came
up and informed me that Hiram Lawrence had stepped out after work
the night previous, and that they did not know where he was ; his
mother wanted Mr. Browning to go and hunt for him ; he said he did
not like to go ; I told him I would get some one to go with him and
hunt ; we hunted, but found nothing of him ; I told him, we had better
raise the neighbors ; I went with William Lawrence, a brother of John's.
They talked of arresting John on suspicion ; I told them to wait, that I
"would stay with him; the night I remained with Lawrence we got up before
daylight ; I asked him what he thought was the matter with his father,
and he said he hardly knew what to think ; he asked us where we had
looked, and I told him ; he straightened up and pointed in the direction
where the body was found and asked me if we had searched there ; I said
we had not ; I said 'John, do you think your father would become
deranged and kill himself?' 'I do not expect to see him alive, again,'
he said, ' I don't expect I will.' "
Benjamin Shunk's testimony: "This is my revolver; I loaned it to
John Lawrence sometime before the murder of Hiram Lawrence ; he
never returned it to me; it is a peculiar pistol; three chambers go off
at once, that is, when one is fired, the shot sends off two more ; it was
fixed when I loaned it to John — it was in good condition then ; it never
shot three barrels at once while I had it."
Dr. J. K. P. Jackson examined : "He examined the body of Hiram
Lawrence at the house the day it was found ; he took the bullet from
the neck ; did not take the one from the face ; testified to finding the
bullet hole in the back of the head, entering the base of the brain, and
to finding a hole through the scalp, but not through the skull, a few
inches above the first ; testified also to the crushed condition of the
skull; the ball passing into the brain, by the hole in the back part of the
head, would have caused instant death."
George Palmer examined : "I lived one mile southwest from the
direction of John Lawrence. I was at home on the 9th of January, 1876.
I live about a half a mile from the place where the body was found.
Between the hours of seven and eight o'clock, I was at home, standing
on the outside of the house, between the house and where Lawrence was
498 HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
killed. I heard the report of a' pistol or gun in that direction ; in the
direction where the body was found. I heard but one report."
Hugh Hill examined : I lived at Mound City, Holt County, in Jan-
uary last, and was slightly acquainted with John Lawrence. I am a
barber. I saw John on the ioth of January, on Monday. I heard of the
murder the day John was in my shop; he was in about noon on Monday.
I heard of it that evening after he had gone. I cut his hair that day. I
saw him have three five dollar bills and a ten dollar bill. That was in
his pocket. I saw that the ten dollar bill was folded up ; I saw the figure
' 10' on it.
Mrs. Elizabeth Lawrence, the aged and decrepit mother of the mur-
dered man, and the grandmother of the defendant was then called. Mrs-
Lawrence was at the time eighty-two years of age, was slightly built,
and could not walk without the aid of a crutch. A short time before
being called into the court room, she was carried in a chair from the res-
idence of Mrs. C. M. Thompson, opposite the court house, to the sheriff's
room. When the court was ready, she was carried into the court room
in a circular office chair. On approaching the place where the wit-
nesses sat, surrounded by the jury, the judge, the lawyers, the spectators
and the defendant, whom she had not seen since the preliminary exam-
ination, she was very much affected, and covering her face with her
handkerchief, wept silently for some minutes. As soon as she recovered
herself, she gave the following testimony :
" She would be eighty-two, the 9th day of November next ; lived
with Hiram Lawrence previous to his death ; no one else lived with them
but John ; Hiram had no other sons; he had a wife, but separated from
her years ago ; had not lived with any woman since John was four years
old ; came with him from Indiana ; I was so old, I did not know much
about his business ; I believe his farm contained 160 acres ; he had cattle
and hogs and two work creatures ; don't know much about his debts ;
he never owed much ; I think a $150 debt was all he owed, unless some
small matters ; remember when he borrowed it ; did not know that he
owed much to any other person ; was always an industrious man ; John
has always made my son's house his home ; John's habits were not very
good ; he was never an industrious boy ; when he worked, he worked
well, and when he did not want to work, he would not ; John and his
father never quarreled much in my presence ; they kept these things away
from me ; John was not very kind to his father ; often would not do things
his father wanted him to do ; he used a good deal of abusive and profane
language towards his father. Last fall his father had trouble, because
John would not work ; I told him he ought to work and earn something
for himself ; about six weeks before his father's death, I was talking to
him about it; I said to him, he ought to try and earn a support for him-
self; he said he expected to have some time, as much as any body ; I
crimes. 499
said I was afraid I would never see that day ; he said he would have a
good farm, well stocked, as good as anybody ; I said I would never live
to see it ; he said I might live to see it. John always had a bad temper ;
he would show it pretty badly sometimes; when he became angry, he
would shake his fists and stamp around and rave ; he knew he could over-
power his father ; his father was a strong man, but was growing old;
John was a disobedient boy, and was disobedient from the age of six-
teen ; about ten years ago, one time, he was making some bullets to go
hunting with some boys, and his father wanted him to do something
else ; John refused and they had trouble ; his father that time got very
angry and said something about hitting him with a chair ; John got very
angry, and it was over ; he said he would kill his father ; I was at home
on Sunday night, the 9th of January ; don't know that John made any
bullets about that time ; Hiram and John were at home all day ; John
went out sometime about as night was setting in, about twilight as near
as I can recollect ; he said he was going to Mr. Schultz's ; he was pleas-
anter than he had been for a long time ; I did not hear much between he
and his father that day ; Hiram had some money that day; he had a
hundred dollars ; two fifty dollar bills ; he got it from me ; he got it to
pay Porter the interest on that $500; am not certain John knew I had
given him the money ; he knew Hiram was going to pay the interest to
Porter ; I remember that he wanted his father to postpone going to Por-
ter's ; he said to him, 'there was no use in paying Porter to-day, you can do
it just as well to-morrow ;' did not hear any conversation between Jacob
Garber, Hiram and John about the interest, by which I knew John knew
about the money ; they all had some talk about some nickles ; Garber
liked his dram, and Hiram was joking him about it, and he (Hiram)
opened his pocketbook and took out some nickles, eight or ten, and told
Garber in fun, he would give them to him ; Garber did not take them, of
course ; I think John went away about midnight ; the pocket book was
open, but I did not see any of the paper money ; I could not see into it very
well, from where I sat ; I think it was about dusk when John went away ;
it was about bedtime when Hiram left the house, and time for John to
be at home ; John came in, it seemed to me, about 10 o'clock, or later ;
I was in bed, had got tired of waiting ; when he came in he said, 'Where
is pap ? ' I said I did not know, maybe he had gone out for some apples.
He said, ' Oh, he may be at Shunk's .' The outside door opened into
the room where we slept ; three beds were in the room ; we all slept in
the room ; Hiram slept in the room because often I could not sleep
alone : John generally slept with his father in cold weather ; John did
not appear to be concerned about his father being away ; I don't think
I closed my eyes that night ; in the morning I was up as soon as
John made the fire ; it was between daylight and sun up ; John
was pleasanter to than ever before ; he said, ' Tell pap he had
500 HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
fed everything, but had not milked, that pap could do that when
he came home.' He got ready and went to Mound City ; said he was
going to get a pair of boots ; said he would be back at night ; he came
home in the evening ; he brought some shirts, but I did not see any
boots. [Here she identified John's boots and coat.] This was the coat
John went away with Sunday night ; this is the hat Hiram had on when
he left ; John had a pistol some time before that ; don't know that I ever
saw it ; he shot a cat with it ; he kept it in the back room, and some-
times under the bed ; did not see John mold any bullets at our house ;
he took some he had that were too large to Brownings to make over, a
short time before the occurrence ; Jane Shunk lived about a-half a mile
away ; she helped me wash frequently ; never heard Hiram say any-
thing about marrying her ; when she first began coming John plagued
his father about her, but his tune was soon changed, and he was angry
when she would come ; John never had any money ; did not have any
about him at that time ; Hiram paid him all he worked for ; John could
never get enough ; was mad when he could not get it ; John was mar-
ried ; wife been dead two years ; child died at same time ; John said
he was going to Schultz's to cut cordwood ; do' not remember of his
saying anything about buying clothes with the money. [Here the old
lady's feelings overcame her, and she broke down with emotion, saying,
" My God, I never thought I would be brought down to this in my old
days."] Monday night John stayed at home ; don't think I said much
to him ; Mr. Sales staid with him ; we slept in the same beds as before ;
in the morning John went out with the rest."
This finished the examination of Mrs. Lawrence, and as she was
helped to her feet to leave the room, the attorneys informed the judge
that she wished to speak with the prisoner a moment. No objections
was interposed and the aged lady hobbled up to the prisoner's chair.
The prisoner arose and took her hand, and, covering his face with his
handkerchief, wept freely. The old lady leaned on his hand, and, with
her head bowed, sobbed and prayed aloud, saying she never expected to
see him again, and telling him to repent and be a Christian. The spec-
tators and judge were visibly effected, and many an eye was shaded to
hide coming tears. Presently the judge said he thought the feeble con-
dition of the witness would not allow such extreme emotion and she
permitted herself to be led from the room.
John Lawrence was found guilty of murder in the first degree.
On account, however, of a flaw in the indictment, which did not state
the prisoner's full name as it should have done, he was granted a new
trial. The verdict was the same as in the former trial — " Murder in the
first degree." He was sentenced to be hanged, but through the efforts
of his counsel and others his sentence was finally commuted by the
governor to imprisonment for life.
CRIMES. 501
THE SIMERO TRAGEDY.
*
On the 23d day of February, 1877, the town of Oregon was the scene
of one of the most exciting and fatal tragedies that had occurred in its
history. Between eleven and twelve o'clock of that day, the announce-
ment was made that John F. Simero had committed the double crime of
killing his wife and himself. Citizens at once flocked to Simero's resi-
dence, where they found the report was only too true.
Simero was about fifty-four years of age, and his wife fifty-two.
They were married at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, in 1856. He was a
Russian by birth, and his right name was John F. Simeradski. He was
married, however, under the name of Radski, as shown by his marriage
certificate. In explanation of this change of name, it had been stated
by his wife, that he had been a soldier in the United States Army (regu-
lar service), but had twice deserted and re-enlisted, each time changing
his name, in order to conceal his identity. During the civil war, he was
a member of Captain Roecker's company, and was considered a wild and
reckless man. Since the war, he had lived in Oregon, pursuing his trade
as a carpenter. He was subject to sprees of drunkenness, and some
/•ears previous to the tragedy, he was shot and slightly wounded by
fames T. Howell, when he was bound over to keep the peace. He and
his wife had lived unhappily for many years, and on the day before the
occurrence, she had applied to Mr. Limbird for a divorce from her hus-
band. This was supposed to be the incentive for the deed which followed.
During the forenoon of that day, Simero was up in town drinking,
but not intoxicated. About ten o'clock he returned home and sent one
of his sons after wine and another to hang up some meat. The latter
soon afterwards heard loud words in the house, and, immediately after,
the sound of a gun-shot. He at once started up town to give the
alarm, and on his way met the city marshal, Foster, who hurried to the
scene of the difficulty. When he arrived there, Simero had come out of
the house and gone into the stable. In a moment afterwards Foster
heard a report like the snapping of a gun-cap, and then the report of
a gun.
In the meantime a large body of citizens had assembled at the
house, and, upon going in, found Mrs. Simero lying on the floor, breathing
hard, having five shot wounds in the face and eye. Two of the bullets
had entered the right eye, penetrating the brain. Another shot entered
the corner of the eye, and two the mouth. Two heavy blows had been
received on the top of the head, from which it was supposed he had
knocked her down before shooting: her. She was unconscious and sank
rapidly until about one o'clock, when she breathed her last.
Marshal Foster kept an eye on the stable, which contained the
murderer, and upon the arrival of Levi Oren and others, they went in
502 HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
and found that Simero had climbed up on the haymow and had shot
himself in the temple, producing instant death. The weapon used was
a double-barreled shot-gun. After shooting his wife, he pulled oft one
of his boots and went to the stable, where he took off the other, and
then discharged the gun with his toes.
At the inquest the following letter, writen in German, was read and
translated by Mr. Adam Klippel :
OREGON, Missouri, February 15, 1877.
" These are the last few lines I shall write in my life. The blame
will all be heaped on me concerning the strife between me and my wife,
but all who will read these few lines will be so good as not to condemn
me. The last four weeks I have been constantly sick. I did not go out,
and did not get drunk ; I have tried every way to deal kindly with my
wife, but that did no good ; she became from day to day more unruly, and
did not come home ; she called me, in the presence of my children, a
drunken hog. This has been the cause of my anger. I dared not give
her an unkind word ; if I did, she would run to the neighbors' houses
and tell tales. Naturally they believed her, and this enraged her and
made her more perverse. With this, the fire began to rage. I would
exhort people not to mix in a contest between a man and his wife, for
there are people who find pleasure in this ; but they do not consider
what a terrible end it will result in ; for every one may take a lesson
from this. I know some people, I will not mention their names, but
I hope after this catastrophe they will change, for there are times when
they will have compunctions of conscience. This, dear friends, I write
with a sober and clear understanding. When you read this it will be
over. In the twenty years that I have lived here in Oregon, I have paid
what I owed, but at this period I may owe some parties, but I cannot
help it, for the winter always makes some debts. The cause of this is
that she (my wife) wants to be divorced, and is trying to drive me from
my house in my old days. She wants to sell. My idea is that I will go
away, and that the house will not be sold, but she will not agree, and
therefore I make an end of us both, and the quarreling and strife will be
at an end. I would not have taken this step, because we are both pretty
old and have not long to live, but to be divorced and to leave my home,
for which I have worked very hard, is too much for me."
"Respectfully, JOHN F. SIMERO."
Mrs. Simero's name before marriage was Frederike Schwenk, and
she was born near the city of Tubingen, Kingdom of Wurtemberg, Ger-
many, on the 4th of April, 1825. She came to America in 1845. By
her marriage with Simero she had ten children, seven of whom were
living at the time of the tragedy.
JOHN TAYLOR.
On the 19th day of May, A. D. 1880, a young man about twenty-
eight years old, dark hair, blue eyes, fine looking, arrived in the town of
Corning, Holt County, Missouri, in search of labor. He had but recently
CRIMES. 503
left his home in Mohawk County, New York, where his widowed mother
resided. Soon after his arrival in the place, he met one John Taylor, a
farmer residing a few miles from this place in Atchison County. Taylor
was a man about thirty-five years old, large and strongly built ; was a
drinking man, and quarrelsome while under the influence of liquor. The
two drank together until both become partially intoxicated. Cards were
introduced, and they played together, first for amusement and then for
money. A quarrel ensued over the result of the game, Moore accusing
Taylor of cheating ; friends interposed and they made up and drank
together. Finally the quarrel was renewed, and the saloon keeper put
Moore out of the saloon, and told him not to return. Moore went to the
first store (Earls Brothers) and asked for a revolver, and was informed
that they did not deal in revolvers. He then asked for a knife, at the
same time breathing threats against Taylor. Young Earl informed him
that he would not sell him a knife that night ; it would get him into
trouble, but to call in the morning and he would sell him one. He left
the store with an oath that he would go where he could buy one. Passing
up the street until he came to the store of Sedwick, Walter & Co., he
stepped in, bought a two-bladed common pocket knife, put it into his
pocket and returned to the saloon. The saloon keeper pushed him
back out of the house. At this moment, Taylor, who was in the saloon,
rushed out at Moore, striking and kicking at him. Moore backed off
some forty feet ; Taylor followed, when Moore drew the knife and struck
in the abdomen, cutting through the walls and making a wound eight
and one-fourth inches in length and two inches deep, from which his
intestines protruded. Taylor was taken to the Henderson House, and
his wife notified of the sad affair. She arrived in a few hours and
remained with him until his death, which occurred in forty-two hours
after his injury. Drs. Noel and Daily attended him.
Moore, after inflicting the fatal blow, ran, brandishing his bloody
knife, followed by an excited crowd, who threw sticks, bricks and mis-
siles at him. He was so hotly pursued that he ran into the house of Mr.
Snow, going up stairs into a room where a young lady was dressing, and
begged her to protect him from the mob. She ran down stairs, fright-
ened nearly out of her wits. He was finally taken in charge by the offi-
cers and conveyed to jail. His trial took place in June, 188 1, and he was
convicted of murder in the second degree and sentenced to ten years in
the penitentiary. Messrs. Osborne and Miles, of Rock Port, two young
attorneys, defended him, and L. R. Knowles, prosecuting attorney of Holt
County, prosecuted.
There have been other cases of some note in the county, among
which was that of the State vs. Jason S. Bumps, who was tried, charged
with having produced an abortion on Mary Dannehar, but, tor want of
space, we cannot mention them.
CHAPTER XXI.
AGRICULTURAL INTERESTS.
CEREAL PRODUCTION — STOCK-FRUIT — NURSERIES — VINEYARDS —SORGHUM— FAIRS-
HOLT COUNTY AGRICULTURAL AND MECHANICAL SOCIETY— SWAMP LANDS-PEO-
PLE.
Holt County, like all sections of the country, has, to some extent,
suffered from drouths, but these have, perhaps, been no more severe here
than elsewhere. The soil is of such a character that it retains moisture
with a remarkable tenacity, and the natural drainage has been so admi-
rably adjusted in the economy of nature that but little, if any, of the
cultivated lands are ever damaged by standing water. Notwithstanding
the drouth of 1881, which prevailed to an almost unparalleled extent
over the entire Union, the crops of Holt County averaged fully one-
half, the grass being as abundant and nutritious as in any preceding
year. No county in the State has, perhaps, a greater number of pure,
living streams ot water than Holt ; veining its surface in every direc-
tion, they afford an abundance of water to both man and beast, conve-
nient to almost every quarter section. Good well water can be obtained
at an average depth of twenty-five feet.
Besides the terrible back set suffered by Holt, in common with other
counties of the state from the effects of the civil war, the county was
ravaged to a certain extent by the grasshopper scourges of 1866, 1874
1875. Confident, however, in the power of her grand resources, and ever
hopeful of better days, her people scorned, in the hour of their calamity,
to solicit the aid of their more fortunate neighbors, and ultimately tri-
umphed over the ills which were poured upon her by malignant fortune.
Phcenix-like, she has risen from the wreck of every calamity, more beau-
tiful and enduring than before, and to-day, she presents to the world a
spectacle of solid growth and substantial wealth, of which many an older
and more fortunate country might be justly proud.
CEREAL PRODUCTIONS.
Holt, although not claiming to be the banner county in the state in
the production of the cereals, yet, according to the last census report of
the United States, for the year 1880, the showing for the county therein
made, is one of which her citizens need not be ashamed, especially of her
standing as a corn producing district.
AGRICULTURAL INTERESTS. 50$
CORN.
There are but fourteen counties in the state that produce more corn
than Holt. When we remember, however, that the state is divided into
one hundred and fourteen counties it will be seen that Holt County occu-
pies, in the list, no insignificant position, ranking, as it does, the fifteenth
in the production of this cereal. In other words there are ninety-nine
counties in the state that produce, each, a less number of bushels than
Holt. Of the fourteen counties, each had a greater number of acres in
corn than did Holt, but the average number of bushels per acre was
greater in Holt than in any other county in the state, excepting Atchi-
son, the average in Holt being a little more than forty-three and three-
fourths bushels per acre, and the average in Atchison County being a
little less than forty-four bushels. Holt County had in corn (1880)
75,614 acres, which yielded 3,308,326 bushels.
BARLEY.
Holt County produced more barley in 1880, than any county in the
state, except Atchison. This crop is cultivated to a limited extent iri
the state, but the result showed that this county is as well adapted to its-
growth as any other county, and that if the market and prices demanded,,
it could be made one of the prolific crops of the county.
WHEAT.
The wheat crop of Holt County for 1880, was 297,967 bushels, or a
fraction over twelve bushels per acre. This is a greater yield per acre,
than that of many of the counties of the state, eighty-four counties, each
producing a less number of bushels than Holt, St. Charles being the
banner county, having produced 1,124,518 bushels.
OATS.
The oat crop of the county for 1880, was 174,108 bushels. While
the yield, or number of acres was not very large, the average number of
bushels per acre compared favorably with other counties of the state.
CATTLE AND HOGS.
There are ten counties in the state which raise more cattle each,
than Holt, and seventeen counties which produce a greater number of
hogs.
SHEEP.
The farmers have not turned their attention to sheep-raising, in
any special manner. The number for 1881 was 4,413. This number
can be easily increased to 30,000 within a few years, provided an effort
506 HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
is made in this direction. The climate is as well adapted to their rais-
ing and healthful growth as the counties contiguous to Holt, where sheep-
raising is much more extensive, and where it has been made a success.
FRUIT.
The shipment of fruits of different varieties from Forbes Township,
during average seasons, is very great. The summer of 1880, was one of
unusual abundance in the yield of both native and cultivated fruits.
There is, in the bluffs, at the base of which the town of Forbes stands,
a strip of country about ten miles long by three wide. The hills and
hollows of this remarkable locality abound, in ordinary seasons, with a
superior variety of the wild blackberry. These constitute a valuable
item of local export, and the amount gathered and shipped annually is
almost incredible. In the summer of 1880, Ross & Meyer alone shipped
from Forbes station upwards of 25,000 quarts ; Weston Young shipped
7,500 quarts ; G. W. Ryan about 4,000 quarts, besides what were shipped
by others, aggregating, in berries shipped by express alone, not far from
37,000 quarts.
Great as this amount may appear it is comparatively small when
contrasted with the vast quantities hauled away by the wagon load. In
the height of the season as many as forty two-horse wagons have passed,
in a single day, through the streets of Forbes, laden with blackberries,
gathered in the neighboring hills and hollows.
In that same season there were also shipped from this station, by
Weston Young, one thousand two hundred boxes, each containing one-
third of a bushel of superior budded peaches ; Shirley and Taylor shipped
one thousand boxes ; Ross and Meyer, two thousand one hundred boxes,
and Murray Brothers, the champion peach raisers of this section, proba-
bly double this latter amount. Hundreds of boxes of tame plums and
pears were also shipped.
Among the many successful fruit raisers of this section, George
Meyer, to whose location on the oldest settled farm in the county we
have already referred, has been especially prominent. The orchards of
his two adjoining farms aggregate not less than thirty acres of apples,
peaches, plums, pears, etc. Of apples, alone, he has, growing on these
farms, not less than one hundred varieties. At the St. Joseph Exposi-
tion of 1873, at which was the finest display of fruit ever offered for
exhibition in the state, outside of St. Louis, Mr. Meyer had on exhibi-
tion not less than two hundred varieties of apples. For this display he
was awarded the sum of $200, the highest premium offered at the fair.
His principal orchard is on the farm of 175 acres, which lies in section 7,
township 59, range 37. The other orchard is on a 270 acre farm, in sec-
tion 8, adjoining. When he began to plant, in 1854, there were but
AGRICULTURAL INTERESTS. * 507
thirty-five apple trees growing on the farm. These were growing in
185 1, when he purchased and moved to the place. He has continued to
reside here ever since, and, besides the rare and productive orchards he
has planted, he has effected other permanent and valuable improvements.
Besides his spacious and comfortable residence he has, on the same
farm, one of the most extensive and complete, as well as substantially-
constructed barns in the county. The building, which rests on a mas-
sive stone basement, in which there is accommodation for twenty horses,
is forty by sixty feet in extent, with a lofty shed, extending from one
end, fourteen by forty feet. The whole is framed of burr oak. On one
of the farms are forty acres and on the other one hundred and fifty acres
of excellent timber. The whole is well watered. One thousand eight
hundred bushels of apples have been sold in a single season from the
orchards of this place.
There is perhaps no section of the State north of the Missouri
River so admirably adapted to the culture of the peach as the southern
part of Holt County, and especially the seemingly barren hills and bluffs
of the timbered region.
The champion raiser of this fruit is N. F. Murray, whose place is
located in the southeast quarter of section 9, township 59, range 37 of
Forbes Township, about three and a half miles north by east of the
town of Forbes, where he has forty acres in orchard, nursery and fruit
garden. About 1868 or 1869, he began on this place, by planting five
hundred choice peach trees. He has continued planting each succeed-
ing year, till his orchard contains three thousand peach trees, of fifty
choice varieties, all bearing ; eight hundred apple trees, including over
forty of the best varieties, all bearing ; one hundred bearing plum trees,
mostly of the wild goose variety ; one hundred bearing cherry trees,
twenty-five pear trees, besides apricot, nectarine and quince trees ; also
one hundred bearing grape vines and two acres of small fruits. The
total receipts for fruit sold from the first five hundred peach trees, aver-
aged $50 per acre for each year since the trees were planted, and fifty
per cent, net profit over ten per cent, interest on the investment. The
best crop produced from a single tree was six bushels. These sold for
$15. The largest peach tree on the place now (1882) measures fifty-one
inches in circumference. The style of the firm operating this extensive
fruit interest, is Murray Brothers. In the opinion of Mr. N. F. Murray,
who has had twenty-five years' experience in the business, this region of
Forbes Township possesses certain natural advantages for fruit culture
unsurpassed any where in these latitudes. The peculiar elements of the
soil, admirable natural drainage and absence of excessive humidity in
the atmosphere, combined with other natural causes, render this one of
the finest fruit countries an the continent. While the neighborhood of
Forbes, of Oregon, in the adjoining township, and other of the older and
508 I HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
more densely populated districts of the bluff formation are identical in
native characteristics and general appearance, with the exception of
orchards attached to farms as they are settled in almost every part of
the county, there is, outside of Forbes Township, and of the town of
Oregon, which may be said to be one continuous orchard of the finest
varieties of pomological products, no special fruit district of this county.
Holt County contains not less than 25,000 acres of the admirable
fruit lands we have described, and much of this is unfit for the produc-
tion of any other remunerative yield. This land is now (1882) in the
market at prices ranging from $3 to $30 per acre, and if devoted to the
culture of the peach, would accommodate an orchard of four million
trees. It would afford steady employment to two thousand five hun-
dred hands, and during the season of fruit gathering would require ten
thousand persons to take in the crop. In less than twelve years, at the
rate of income accruing from the orchards of Murray Brothers, the peach
yield would bring to the county a return of $17,000,000.
With the rapid development of the West and Northwest, vast
mining regions, where fruit can never be produced, and the consequent
growing demand in those localities for this fruit, there seems to be no
reasonable possibility of the market being glutted by the most exuberant
yield of which this country is susceptible, and every indication points
to the conclusion that there will always be a large demand for Holt
County fruit, at remunerative prices. There are now, in Forbes Town-
ship alone, in the immediate neighborhood of the Murray Brothers, not
less than ten thousand peach trees, and from the interest developed in
this branch of enterprise in the county, it is confidently believed by
those in position to judge, that the period of ten years from the present
will see not less than one hundred thousand peach trees alone growing
in Forbes Township.
Murray Brothers are also largely engaged in the nursery business,
and have for sale this (1882) season between forty and fifty thousand
fruit and ornamental trees. Their nursery is next to that of George P.
Luckhardt's, adjoining the town of Oregon, the most extensive in the
county.
NURSERIES.
Holt County, now widely known for the vast quantities and superior
excellence of fruit raised within her limits, is no less noted for the
superiority of her leading nursery.
The first enterprise in this direction was inaugurated in the spring
of 1853, by the late Josiah Springer, father of the present (1882) clerk of
the circuit court of Holt County. This was a seedling nursery, and con-
sisted chiefly of apple trees which, instead of grafting, he budded where
the first branches started from the stem. This nursery was located three
AGRICULTURAL INTERESTS. 509
miles southeast of Oregon, on section 6, township 59, range 37, in Forbes
township. The quarter adjoins Lewis Township. The nursery was
operated up to the period of the death of the proprietor, which occurred
in 1858. Hugh Pennel budded his trees in the same way, and sold a few
on his place, one and a half miles east of Oregon. This nursery, which
was on a small scale, was started in 1855.
The first trees imported into the county were purchased by Dr. H.
W. Peter, now (1882) a leading physician of Louisville, Kentucky. They
were brought from the nursery of Ellwanger & Barry, of Rochester, New
York, in 1858. In the spring of 1859, Dr. H. W. Peter and George P.
Luckhardt associated themselves in business under the style of Peter &
Luckhardt, and imported from the nursery of Ellwanger & Barry, a large
lot of trees. In the fall of 1859, Dr. Peter, Ira Peter and E. H. Burches
entered into partnership, and purchased 160 acres of land at the south-
west corner of the town of Oregon, and planted the entire tract in nur-
sery stock. They also built a green house. This enterprise prospered
till the breaking out of the civil war in 1861, when, in common with
many other kindred interests it was forced to succumb to the inevitable
consequences of those disastrous times.
In 1866, George P. Luckhardt purchased eighty acres of land adjoin-
ing the northwest corner of the town site of Oregon, and embarked
extensively in the nursery business, in which he has since been continu-
ously engaged, planting rarely less than seventy-five thousand apple
grafts a year. In the spring of 1873, he had planted one hundred and
seventy thousand apple grafts, seventeen and a-half bushels of peach
seed, four bushels of apple seed, one bushel of apricot seed, one bushel
of Maccard cherry seed, and one-half bushel of Mahalleb cherry seed.
All this, with the promise of splendid results, was up and growing lux-
uriantly until nine o'clock in the morning of the 15th of May, when a
cloud of grasshoppers descending, a besom of destruction, swept from
the face of the earth the entire growth. By two o'clock in the afternoon
of the same day, this beautiful picture of regular and luxuriant vegeta-
tion had entirely disappeared, naught but the barkless twigs and sprouts
remaining on the bare ground to mark the recent presence of the sud-
denly obliterated verdure. The damage occasioned by this terrible
visitation extended, besides, to sixty thousand two year old apple trees,
eighty thousand yearlings, and about twenty thousand three year olds,
the entire loss thus sustained by Mr. Luckhardt amounting to an equiv-
alent of not less than ten thousand dollars. Though terrible beyond
expression, the scourge failed to prove, in this instance, at least, perma-
nent in its results, and Luckhardt's nursery ere long revived to achieve
the reputation it has since continued uninterruptedly to enjoy.
On the eighty acre tract, on which is this nursery, is also an orchard
of thirty-five acres, containing between three and four thousand fruit
5IO HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
trees, most of which are bearing. Beside apple trees, which compose
the bulk of the orchard, are peaches, apricots, cherries and plums. Mr.
Luckhardt has here, besides, a vineyard of two and a half acres of Con-
cord grapes. He, however, makes no wine. On the lawn, in front of his
substantial brick residence, is a stately grove, containing nearly every
variety of evergreen grown in this latitude. The most remarkable speci-
men of this beautiful collection is the Mencii (Abies Fulgens). This
evergeen, between twenty and twenty-five feet in heighth, is said to be
the largest cultivated tree of that variety in the United States. Its
faultless symmetry presents the appearance of a perfect cone. A rare
peculiarity of this tree is presented in the variety of its foliage, which, in
the month of May, affords three distinct colors, the new growth being
almost white, that of the previous year a light blue, and the old growth
a bright green.
In 1868, Samuel Murray and his son, N. J. Murray, started a nursery
eight miles southeast of Oregon. The death of the senior partner of this
firm occurred in 1874.
In 1852, the late Felix Fraley, afterwards the owner of a vineyard
of about one-fourth of an acre, from which with grapes which he pur-
chased elsewhere, he manufactured yearly about eight barrels of wine,
started in 1852, a small nursery at the north end of Oregon. This con-
tinued to be operated till the year 1864, when the proprietor turned his
attention to wine growing.
In 1878, William Gaunt commenced near the town of Craig, a
nursery, to which reference will be found in our chapter on that locality.
The apple trees with which the first orchards in Holt County were
originally supplied, were brought from the Burns nursery, in Andrew
County. It was located three miles north of the town of Savannah, but
has long ceased to exist.
VINEYARDS.
While the entire town of Oregon presents the appearance, to a
considerable extent, of a vast and continuous orchard of the finest varie-
ties of fruit trees, thickly studded with the habitations of men, the
suburbs are no less remarkable for the number, quality and productive-
ness of their vineyards, the yield of which produces a quality of Concord
wine that is widely known for its superior excellence. Nearly all these
vineyards adjoin the town site, and some of them are within the corpor-
ate limits of Oregon. Among the most important of these is that of
Michael Spoerle, just outside the town limits. From the two acres of
grapes which comprise this vineyard, fifty barrels of Concord wine are
annually produced.
Felix Fraley, who died in 1879, manufactured not only the yield of
his own vineyard of about a rood, but also made a considerable amount
AGRICULTURAL INTERESTS. 511
of wine from grapes which he purchased from growers who did not
manufacture. John Hurst manufactures ten or twelve barrels a year.
The vineyard of John Hauswirth, also within the town limits, yields on
an average twenty barrels of Concord wine. Samuel Stuckey has in
the town a small vineyard. Colonel Clarke Irvine has about two acres in
grapes. Dr. A. Goslin also has a small vineyard, as has also C. Hob-
litzell. None of these latter make wine.
To George P. Luckhardt's vineyard reference has already been
made. Captain Albert Roecker, of the firm of Montgomery & Roecker,
bankers, has just outside of the town a vineyard from which he makes
four or five barrels of wine every year. A. Gemeker, in the northwest
corner of town, raises grapes and manufactures extensively. Captain
Kaucher has a fine vineyard of select varieties. Though Oregon and
environs constitute the wine producing center of the county, the indus-
try is not entirely confined to that locality. James L. Allen, one mile
north ; and William Brodbeck, a mile and a half west of the town ; S.
and J. Lehmer, one mile and a half northeast ; Abraham Zuck, near
site of old fair ground ; Robert Trumble, near Richville, five or six
miles east of Oregon, and others in different parts of the county, grow
grapes, and, to a certain extent, manufacture wine. Samuel Whitmer,
near the northern limits of the town, has a small vineyard. He is a
large producer of sorghum molasses, manufactured from cane of his own
raising, an interest noticed under the head of Oregon.
SORGHUM.
The manufacture of sorghum promises to become an important
element in the enterprise of Holt County. Samuel H. Whitmer started
in the town of Oregon, in 1866, the pioneer industry in this line, at first
on a very small scale. The enterprise, however, met with fair encour-
agement, and has steadily progressed. In the fall of 1879 the product
of his factory was four thousand six hundred gallons of syrup, of superior
quality. This is the largest amount so far made here in one season. By
the two successive failures of the crops in the seasons following, this
yield was considerably reduced. Though the manufacturer raises a
small amount of grain, he depends almost wholly on the farmers for his
supply of raw material. During the season of 1879 tne cane yield of as
many as one hundred and twenty-three different farms was worked up
in this factory. The farmers cut and delivered the cane at the works.
Out of a variety of cane growing in the county, and known as the
Early Amber, an excellent quality of sugar has been manufactured here,
and arrangements are on foot to largely increase the yield of the latter
product.
There is, besides the above, another sorghum factory in the county.
This is owned and operated by Henry Zachman., aided by three hands.
512 HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
A special reference to this interest will be found under the head of
Hickory Township.
FAIRS.
The first Agricultural and Mechanical Association of Holt County,
was held at a point northeast of and adjoining the corporate limits of the
town of Forest City.
These annual exhibitions, which were creditably conducted, and
largely attended, occurred successively in 1858, 1859 and i860, when the
breaking out of the civil war put an end to the enterprise. The late
William Zook was, during the three years of its continuance, president
of the association, and R. E. Turner, now (1882) of St. Joseph, Missouri,
secretary. Any records from which might have been gleaned special
information of these fairs, have long passed out of existence, and there
only remains the memory that, in their day, they were regarded a com-
plete success.
A period of eight years elapsed before a similar enterprise was
inaugurated in the establishment of the
HOLT COUNTY AGRICULTURAL AND MECHANICAL SOCIETY.
On the 28th of March, 1868, the following named persons assembled
in the court house in the town of Oregon, and organized the above men-
tioned society : E. Van Buskirk, Samuel Watson, R. C Watson, I. H,
Iddings, J. G. Cowan, T. K. Slaughter, H. Watson, Isaac L. Way, Charles
W. Bowman, Bennett King, George Cummins, Ephraim Oren, Watson
Baker, Samuel Stuckey, John Marsh, M. Saville, Peter Price, William
Kaucher, John Kyle, W. B. Davis, E. L. Allen, Henry Meyer, R. H.
Russell, W. M. Patterson, Quincy A. Gordon, William Baker, T. C.
Dungan, Horace Cooper, Solomon Loffer, Allen T. Bloomer, F. M. Caison,
F. S. Howard, Joseph Polly, J. H. C. Curtis and M. Spoerly. E. Van
Buskirk was called to the chair, and William Kaucher appointed secretary.
On motion it was ordered that the society proceed to the election
of a board of directors, which election resulted as follows : From the
eastern district of Lewis Township, E. Van Buskirk and Bennett King;
from the western district of Lewis Township, W. A. McCoy ; Nodaway
Township, John G. Cowan and I. H. Iddings ; Clay Township, W. M.
Patterson ; Benton Township, H. S. Buejick ; Union Township, George
P. Skeels, of Benton ; Dallas Township, T. K. Slaughter.
At the second meeting of the society held at the office of Zook &
VanBuskirk, in the town of Oregon, the following were elected officers
of the society: John G. Cowan, President; Charles W. Bowman, Sec-
retary ; William A. McCoy, Treasurer, and Bennett King, Collector.
At the third meeting held, pursuant to adjournment, April 20, 1868,
.a vacancy in the board was reported, occasioned by the death of Isaac
AGRICULTURAL INTERESTS. 513
H. Iddings. To supply this vacancy, George Meyer was elected. At
this meeting a constitution and by-laws were adopted. E. VanBuskirk
was elected Vice President, and William Kaucher Corresponding Secre-
tary. The treasurer was required to give bond in the sum of $2,000 for
the faithful performance of his duty. At a meeting held April 29, 1868,
Bennett King, E. VanBuskirk and W. A. McCoy were appointed a com-
mittee to purchase grounds for the use of the society, and, at a subse-
quent meeting, George Meyer was added to the committee.
At a meeting held in the town of Oregon, May 28, 1868, the committee
on grounds reported that they had negotiated with R. H. Russel, for the
purchase of a piece of ground adjoining the corporation of the city of
Oregon, at the cost of $120 per acre, he reserving the largest timber.
The report was accepted, and the committee authorized to have the
ground surveyed. The tract purchased proved to include ten acres.
At a meeting held July 31, 1868, it was determined that the time
for holding the first annual fair should be fixed for the 14th, 15th and
16th days of October following. August 22, 1868, J. G. Cowan, E. Van-
Buskirk and W. A. McCoy were appointed a committee to fence and
otherwise improve the grounds. At the next meeting, in the succeed-
ing month, R. H. Russel was added to this committee. At the meeting
held September 25, 1868, the following general programme for the fair
was adopted :
First Day — Class E, jacks and jennets ; class F, mules ; all articles
other than live stock competing for premiums to remain on exhibition
during the entire fair.
Second Day — Class A, cattle ; D, horses ; G, sheep ; H, hogs ; eques-
trian display by gentlemen.
Third Day — Class B, stallions and mares ; C, geldings ; R, walk-
ing, trotting and pacing matches; W, display of horses, mules, cattle,
hogs and poultry ; equestrian display by ladies ; slow mule race — no
rider to ride his own mule. Premium for slowest mule, $5.
Two premiums were offered for millinery — Class P.
The following appointments of officers were made : Marshal, Samuel
Stuckey ; Assistants, S. W. Thornton, Robert Markland, A. D. Stephens
and D. P. Kyle ; Gate-keepers, George Colvin and John Masters.
It appears that in consequence of the inclemency of the weather on
the 14th of October, the initial day of the fair was deferred till the fol-
lowing day, and ordered to continue until the close of the 18th, instead
of the 17th, as originally determined. The fair was largely attended,
and proved a success.
On the 17th of October, 1868, occurred the second election of
officers, with the following results : J. G. Cowan, President ; Charles W.
Bowman, Recording Secretary ; William Kaucher, Corresponding Sec-
retary ; Bennett King, Vice President ; James Scott, Treasurer, and
33
514 HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
Samuel Stuckey, Collector. John D. Cowan, E. Van Buskirk and B.
King donated to the society the amount due them as premiums, less
the entry fees.
At a meeting of the board of directors, October 31, 1868, the follow-
ing report of the treasurer was rendered and approved :
Society Fund —
Receipts $ 772 80
Expenditures 735 81
Balance on hand Society Fund $ 36 99
Joint Stock Fund —
Receipts from stock $ 1 ,946 00
Expenditures 1.773 32
Balance on hand $ 172 68
September n, 1869, J. G. Cowan, I. R. Welch, William Kaucher, G.
Anderson, F. W. Walter, Henry Watson, George Meyer, E. Van Bus-
kirk and Bennett King were elected directors.
On the 1 8th of the same month the board elected the following
officers: John G. Cowan, President; Bennett King, Vice-President;
George W. Cummins, Recording Secretary ; T. C. Dungan, Correspond-
ing Secretary ; James Scott, Treasurer, and Samuel Stuckey, Collector.
Previous to this, on the 27th of February, 1869, A. N. Ruley was chosen
to fill the vacancy occasioned by the resignation of C. W. Bowman.
Ruley held the office till July, 1869, when he resigned and was suc-
ceeded .by G. W. Cummins, who continued to hold the office uninter-
ruptedly till the dissolution of the society in 1875.
The second fair occurred on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday,
the 15th, 16th and 17th of September, 1869. The following is the
report of the Board of Directors of the Holt County Agricultural and
Mechanical Society for the year 1869, rendered January 1, 1870, and
affords an interesting exhibit of the resources of the county at that
period of its history :
"At the close of the second annual fair of this society, the mem-
bership numbers one hundred and eighteen of the most substantial citi-
zens of the county and representatives of almost every class of indus-
try, men who promptly came forward and gave of their means to aid in
the permanent establishment of the society.
With the means thus obtained, ten acres of elevated ground adjoin-
ing the southwestern portion of the city of Oregon, were purchased by
the society in the beginning of the year 1868, which is now worth, exclu-
sive of the improvements thereon, two thousand dollars. The improve-
ments consist of a fence seven feet in height, and constructed at a cost
of one thousand dollars ; a floral hall, built at a cost of one thousand six
hundred dollars ; a good well, costing one hundred dollars ; seats, stalls
and other improvements to the amount of three hundred more, making
AGRICULTURAL INTERESTS. 5 I 5
the total value of grounds and improvements five thousand dollars.
Aeainst this there is a total indebtedness of one thousand five hundred
dollars. To meet this, there is still an outstanding stock subscription,
payable January I, 1870, amounting to five hundred dollars, still leaving'
a balance of indebtedness, amounting to one thousand dollars. The
principal improvements necessary for properly conducting the annual
fairs having been made, no difficulty is apprehended of the ability of the
society to meet its obligations promptly.
At the second annual fair of the society held at their fair grounds,
September 15, 16 and 17, 1869, one hundred and fifty-four premiums were
awarded, amounting, in the aggregate to one thousand dollars. The live
stock on exhibition included many fine specimens of horses, mules, jacks,
jennets, cows, bulls, sheep, hogs, etc., and numbered in all, one hundred
and thirty. The industrial department contained one hundred speci-
mens, representing many of the most useful and ornamental articles of
home production.
Forty-six agricultural and horticultural entries were made, embrac-
ing wheat, corn, potatoes, apples, pears, peaches, plums, etc., of the best
quality.
The floral and fine art departments were well represented, but might
have been more complete. An effort will be made at the next annual
fair to give greater encouragement to these departments.
The present year, despite the ravages of the grasshoppers in the
spring and early part of the summer, and the extraordinary fall of rain,
has been one of unusual prosperity to our county. Many new citizens
have been added to our population ; towns have sprung into existence
as by magic, and thousands of acres of lands have been fenced and culti-
vated. The staple products of the country have increased, in many
instances, more than one hundred fold. Fully one million bushels of
good corn have been produced. Of this, the average price will not be
less than forty cents per bushel. The product of wheat, rye, oats and
barley, although injured by the grasshoppers, will not fall far short of
two hundred thousand bushels. The number of bushels of apples for
the year is estimated to exceed fifty thousand. Fifteen years ago, the
product was less than two thousand five hundred bushels — very little
more than is now produced by the city of Oregon, alone. The number
of bushels of pears will exceed two thousand, the average price of which
will be at least three dollars and fifty cents per bushel. Of other fruits,
including grapes, cherries, plums, etc., our farmers have produced large
quantities, of the very best quality. ♦
The clip of wool is estimated to reach thirty thousand pounds
annually. Of this a considerable portion is manufactured in cloth, etc.,
in the county.
At the close of the season not less than thirty thousand head of
hogs will have been marketed. These netting an average per head of
at least $16, will amount to an aggregate of $480,000. Add to this the
cattle, sheep, mules and other stock sold during the year, and we have
a total of sales of live stock for the year 1869 largely exceeding a half
million dollars. To this may be added the surplus fruit, grain, firewood,
saw logs, etc., and we find that our sales for the year amount to more
than a million dollars.
Attest: G. W. CUMMINS, Recording Secretary."
5l6 HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
The third fair occurred in September, 1870, and was also a success.
Directors and officers the same as previous year.
The fourth annual fair occurred on the 13th, 14th and 15th days of
September, 1871. The following named officers for the ensuing year
were then elected : G. Anderson, President ; William Kaucher, Vice
President ; G. W. Cummins, Recording Secretary ; T. C. Dungan, Cor- 1
responding Secretary ; James Scott, Treaurer, and Samuel Stuckey,
Collector and Marshal.
The fair of 1872 occurred at the usual time in September. At its
close the following were elected officers for the ensuing year : G. Ander-
son, President ; William Kaucher, Vice President ; G. W. Cummins,
RecordingSecretary ; T. C. Dungan, Corresponding Secretary ; James
Scott, Treasurer, and Samuel Stuckey, Collector.
The sixth (1873) annual fair occurred at the usual time in Septem
ber. On the 10th of October, 1873, the following were elected directors
Ed. Gillis, I. L. Allen, George Meyer, C. Schlotzhauer, Allen Bloom,
Thomas Cottier, Freeman Libby, S. B. Lukens, and Stephen Lucas
Eight days after the following officers were, elected : G. Meyer, Presi-
dent ; I. L. Allen, Vice President ; G. W. Cummins, Recording Secretary
T. C. Dungan, Corresponding Secretary ; G. Cummins, Treasurer ;
Stuckey, Collector ; Levi Oren, Marshal ; William Kaucher, Librarian
This is the first occasion on which the latter office is mentioned, and it
is probable that the fair library was at that time originated.
The seventh annual fair began on Tuesday, September 1, 1874, and
continued three days. To the society, this year, twenty-eight citizens
of the town of Oregon contributed, in different sums, the aggregate of
one hundred and forty-eight dollars. The regular premiums awarded at
this fair amounted in value to less than fifteen hundred dollars. Besides
these, special premiums to the amount of one hundred and seven dollars
and fifty cents were offered and awarded. Notwithstanding the above
referred to expression of sympathy on the part of those who contributed
to the maintenance of the association, the same visibly declined and the
amount offered in premiums at this, the last exhibition, was less than one
half the sum of the awards at some previous periods of the organization.
This was the last fair held in the county.
The last election for officers of the " society " occurred March 20,
1875. This election resulted as follows: John G. Cowan, President ;
George Meyer, Vice President ; R. Montgomery, Treasurer ; G. W. Cum-
mins, Recording Secretary ; T. C. Dungan, Corresponding Secretary ;
Samuel Stuckey, Collector ; Levi Oren, Marshal ; William Kaucher,
Librarian.
The society then adjourned to meet March 27, 1875. There is, how-
ever, no record of any such meeting having occurred. Shortly after John
G. Cowan assumed the indebtedness resting on the fair ground, securing
AGRICULTURAL INTERESTS. 5 17
himself by a deed of trust on the same. There being no prospect of the
society becoming enabled to meet its obligations, Cowan foreclosed the
mortgage and sold the property to Mr. May, the present (1882) owner.
SWAMP LANDS.
Holt County has but little land that cannot be cultivated. By act
of congress, approved September 28, 1850, all swamp and overflowed
lands unfit for cultivation then unsold, were granted to the state in
which they were situated. By this grant Holt County received from the
state 25,702 acres. About all of this has been disposed of to enterpris-
ing farmers, who, by a system of drainage, have placed it under culti-
vation. The soil of the swamp lands is exceedingly rich and productive.
The Forty-third Congress added 3,000 acres to the swamp lands, in
Little Tarkio Lake. About three-fourths of the swamp lands lie in the
Missouri bottom, and the greater part is prairie.
PEOPLE.
The people of Holt County are large-hearted, genial and ever
ready to assist in any enterprise that tends to their future well being
and the material prosperity of the county. The original settlers, a few
of whom still survive, were from Virginia, Kentucky and Indiana. The
jopulation, however, to-day represents all the leading western and mid-
dle states, as well as some of the nationalities of the old world, among
whom are settlements of Germans and Irish, constituting a people suf-
kiently homegenious in habits, thoughts and modes of life, not only to
cause them to be proud of their county, but to cause them to labor
unitedly for their common interest and their common welfare.
1^— jp^*
CHAPTER XXII.
RAILROADS, SCHOOLS AND CHURCHES.
PLATTE COUNTRY RAILROAD-KANSAS CITY, ST. JOSEPH AND COUNCIL BLUFFS RAIL-
ROAD—NODAWAY VALLEY BRANCH— TARK.IO VALLEY BRANCH— SHIPMENTS FOR
i83i— RAILROAD MEETING AT OREGON— PUBLIC SCHOOLS— PIONEER SCHOOL HOUSE
-NUMBER OF SCHOOLS IN THE COUNTY— ENUMERATION FOR 1881-AVERAGE
NUMBER ATIEND1NG-NUMBER OF MALE AND FEMALE TEACHERS -ANNUAL DIS-
TRIBUTION—PRINCIPAL OF THE VARIOUS SCHOOL FUNDS-FINES AND PENALTIES
— WAGES TO TEACHERS-EXPENSES— SCHOOL COMMISSIONERS— CHURCHES— EARLY
MINISTERS -BISHOP MARVIN'S LETTER— FIRST SUNDAY SCHOOL.
RAILROADS.
The people of Holt County early recognized the importance of rail-
roads, and manifested their interest in an enterprise of this character,
even in ante-bellum days.
PLATTE COUNTRY RAILROAD.
The first railroad commenced in the county, was what was known
as the Platte Country Railroad. It had been constructed as far as Savan-
nah, in Andrew County, when the breaking out of the war caused a sus-
pension of further operations. The grading and masonry were about
completed through the southern part of the county to Forest City, but
the road was never finished. Holt County subscribed seventy-five thous-
and dollars towards the building of this road, and issued bonds for half
that amount. These bonds were promptly paid after the war, but, as
before stated, the road was never completed.
KANSAS CITY, ST. JOSEPH AND COUNCIL BLUFFS RAILROAD.
The next enterprise in the way of railroads, was inaugurated by the
Kansas City, St. Joseph and Council Bluffs Railroad Company. This
road was projected and completed through the county, at the expense of
the company, in 1869. It enters the county at its southeast extremity,
and winds its way at the foot of the bluffs to a point four miles above
Forest City. . It here diverges into the bottom and makes but one devi-
ation from a straight line, for a distance of nearly thirty miles, when it
reaches a point two miles below Phelps, in Atchison County.
RAILROADS, SCHOOLS AND CHURCHES. 5 19
NODAWAY VALLEY BRANCH.
This is a branch of the Kansas City, St. Joseph and Council Bluffs
Railroad, and was completed in 1879. It enters the county at section
21, near the town of Maitland, in Clay Township, and intercepts the
main line at Bigelow.
TARKIO VALLEY BRANCH.
This is also a branch of the main line of the Kansas City, St. Joseph
and Council Bluffs road, and enters the county at section 30, at the north-
west corner of Holt County. This branch was finished in 188 1 .
It will be seen from the above that the railroad facilities of Holt
County are good, and that all the townships in the county, excepting
three, possess the advantages which may accrue to a greater or less
extent from their passage within their borders. There are seven stations
in the county, located at the following places : Forbes, Forest City,
Bigelow, Craig, Maitland, Mound City and Corning.
The total number of miles of railroad in the county, is 52.48, as fol-
lows : Main line, 38.01 ; Nodaway Valley, 18.58 ; Tarkio Valley, 1.85.
SHIPMENTS FOR l88l BY THE DIFFERENT RAILROADS.
Below we present a complete showing of the shipment of grain,
stock, etc., by car loads, from Holt County in 1881, excepting from the
station at Corning :
Forbes — Wood, 945 cars ; walnut logs, 33 cars ; native lumber, 15
cars ; hogs, 21 cars ; cattle, 3 cars ; corn, 20 cars ; wheat, 15 cars ; saw
dust, 4 cars; hoop poles, 1 car. Total, 1,057 cars. Of the 23 cars stock,
M. Gelvin shipped 14 cars. J. A. Ross was the heaviest shipper, as his
shipments amounted to nearly 500 cars.
Forest City — Cattle, 120 cars ; hogs, 422 cars ; corn, 163 cars ; wheat,
93 cars ; wood, 280 cars. Total, 1,078 cars. Number of local tickets
sold, 12,987.
Bigelow — Cattle, 21 cars ; hogs, 24 cars ; wheat, 7 cars ; corn, 4 cars ;
native lumber, 3 cars ; walnut logs, 18 cars ; wood, 5 cars. Total, 82 cars.
Craig — Grain, 49 cars ; corn, 236 cars ; cattle, 85 cars ; hogs, 155 cars ;
horses, 1 car ; sheep, 1 car ; flour, 6 cars ; walnut logs, 1 1 cars ; wood, 3
cars ; sundries, 9 cars. Total, 556 cars.
Maitland — Grain, 273 cars; stock, 482 cars. Total, 755. cars.
Received, 129 cars lumber.
Mound City — Wheat, 132 cars ; corn, 149 cars ; cattle, 402 cars ; hogs,
260 cars ; hay, 9 cars. Total, 952 cars.
Recapitulation — Grain, 1,157 cars ; stock, 2,001 cars ; wood, 1,233
cars ; lumber and logs, 80 cars; sundries, 9 cars. Total, 4,480 cars.
520 HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
We can safely estimate that Corning shipped 250 cars, or a total of
4,730 cars of grain, stock, etc., shipped from Holt County in 1881.
RAILROAD MEETING.
Nearly all the towns in the county have railroad facilities, excepting
Oregon, the county seat, which is two and a half miles from Forest City,
the nearest point to the Kansas City, St. Joseph and Council Bluffs Rail-
road. The citizens of Oregon, realizing the need of the town in this
respect, and with this object in view, met at the court house on the 20th
of December, 1881, to inaugurate a preliminary movement, looking to
this end. The County Paper* speaking of that event, says : " The rail-
road meeting at the court house Tuesday evening was largely attended,
and a committee, consisting of Messrs. G. A. Fiegenbaum, George Ander-
son, E. VanBuskirk, James Limbird, J. T. Thatcher, Clarke Irvine and T.
H. Parrish, were appointed a committee to look after the railroad inter-
ests of our city. T. H. Parrish was chairman of the evening and James
Limbird secretary."
It is intended, at an early a day as practicable, to build a branch
road from the Kansas City, St. Joseph and Council Bluffs Road, com-
mencing at a point where the starch factory of James B. Payne is located,
a distance of two and a half miles, to Oregon. The probable cost of its
construction will be $50,000 or $75,000.
PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
The difference between the pioneer and modern school house is
very great.
THE PIONEER SCHOOL HOUSE
was built of round logs, the space between them chinked, and then
daubed with mud. About five feet from the west wall, on the inside,
and several feet high, another log was placed and run across the
building. Puncheons were fixed on this log and in the west wall, on
which the chimney was built. Fuel could then be used of any length
not greater than the width of the building, and, when it was burned
through in the middle, the ends were crowded together ; in this manner
was avoided the necessity of so much wood-chopping. There was no
danger of burning the floor, as there was none. The seats were made
of stools or benches, constructed by splitting a log, hewing off the
splinters from the flat side, and then putting four pegs into it from the
round side for legs. The door was made of clapboards. On either side,
a piece of one log was cut out and over the aperture was pasted
greased paper, which answered for a window. Wooden pins were
driven into the log running lengthwise immediately beneath the win-
dows, upon which laid a board, and this constituted the writing desks.
RAILROADS, SCHOOLS AND CHURCHES. 521
In those days there were no public school funds, and but little pri-
vate funds, the teacher taking his pay in almost anything, such as potaT
toes, corn, rails, pigs, chickens, etc. The article of agreement was
something like the following :
"Article of agreement made and entered into this 9th day of Janu-
ary, 1842, between John Doe and the undersigned : Witnesseth, that
the said Doe agrees to teach a common school for the term of three
months, viz : spelling, reading, writing and arithmetic.
" The undersigned citizens of the county agree to pay said Doe,
$1.50 per scholar ; also, to furnish a suitable house and firewood, and
board said Doe. The above amount may be paid in rails, at the cus-
tomary price ; one third to be paid on or before the expiration of each
month. School to commence when twenty scholars are signed."
The old subscription schools, as well as the log-cabin school house,
in Holt County, are now numbered with the things of the past. There
are now (1882) seventy-six school houses within the limits of the county
— neat, frame edifices, constructed with special reference to the wants
and demands of the present age. Among these modern requisites, are
light and ventilation, which are so necessary to the health of the pupils.
Beside these, we have the convenient seat, desk, blackboard, maps, and
a number of other helps, which are considered indispensably necessary
to the proper training and instruction of the youth, and above all, we
have the teacher, who, while he may not be superior in some branches
of learning to the pioneer teacher, he has had a wider experience, and
has the advantage of imparting in a more easy, practical and speedy
manner, the routine of lessons and studies which are now taught.
The schools in operation in the county, number eighty, seventy-eight
white and two colored. These are all in a flourishing condition, and are
as well attended as the public schools of any county in the state in pro-
portion to population.
ENUMERATION FOR l88l.
According to the county clerk's report for the last year (1881) the
enumeration was as follows :
Males. Females. Total.
No. of white persons in the county between
the ages of six and twenty years 2,881 2,655 5,536
No. of colored persons 43 43 86
Total 2,954 2,698 5,652
The average number attending each day in summer 822
The average number attending each day in winter 2,348
The number of male teachers employed 68
The number of female teachers employed 49
522 HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
The average salary paid to male teachers, per month $38 00
The average salary paid to female teachers, per month 30 00
ANNUAL DISTRIBUTION,
Cash on hand at settlement with county treasurer, April, 1880. $13,384 35
Amount of revenue received from state fund by auditor's war-
rant of 1880 3,948 61
Amount of revenue received from county funds in 1880 (inter-
est on notes and bonds) 6,78 1 76
Amount of revenue received from township fund in 1880
(interest on notes and bonds) 1,837 7^
Amount received from district tax in 1880, as per settlement
with collector, March, 1881 23,350 64
Amount received from all other sources, railroad and telegraph 1,698 97
Total amount expended, as shown by settlement with county
treasurer, in April, 1881 3 1,757 *4
Cash on hand 19,244 95
PRINCIPAL OF THE VARIOUS SCHOOL FUNDS.
*
Amount of township school funds $ 1 2,804 9°
Amount of county public school funds 66,323 61
Other special funds 7,436 68
Total $86,565 19
Amount received during the year for fines and penalties 1,018 81
This has been disposed of by loaning it out on approved bonds and
mortgages.
It will be seen from the above that the total township, county and
special fund amounts to the sum of $86,565.10. There are but nine
counties in the state which make a better showing than Holt. These
are: Atchison, which has a total of $133,470.44; Bates, $90,385.46 ;
Chariton, $1 1 1,066.54 ; Jackson, $101,092.50 ; Jasper, $240,387.21 ; Liv-
ingston, $125,542 ; Monroe, $106,644.01 ; Saline, $132,967.08 ; Nodaway,
$943,352.88 ; value of school property in the county, $85,000. In this
respect Holt surpasses her neighboring counties. The value of school
property in Andrew and Atchison Counties is not so great. The wages
paid to teachers in 1880, $18,849.31 ; amount paid for fuel, $738.83 ; inci-
dental expenses, $3,466.56 ; past indebtedness, $4,290.35 ; expended in
erection of houses, $536. The number of institutes held are twelve, and
they are held one day in each month at different places. These insti-
tutes are generally well attended, there being present from twenty-five
to fifty teachers.
RAILROADS, SCHOOLS AND CHURCHES. 523
It will be seen from this article that the fund arising from the sale of
swamp lands is now the sum of $66,323.61, as mentioned under the head
of " Principal of the Various School Funds." The interest on this fund
is annually collected and divided pro rata among the schools of the
county. The office of school commissioner was made a separate office
in 1865. Since that time the following persons have filled the office :
Edgar L. Allen, from 1865 to 1866; Stephen Blanchard, 1866 to 1870;
Frank Gordon, 1870 to 1872 ; Erastus Eyerly, 1872 to 1875 ; Edward
Anibal, 1875 to 1879 I John Anderson, 1879 to 1881 ; John Anderson,
re-elected in 1881.
EARLY CHURCHES AND MINISTERS.
'■ You raised these hallowed walls, the desert smiled,
And Paradise was opened in the wild "
The settlement of the county and the organization of the first
churches were almost contemporaneous. The plow had scarcely begun
to turn the sod, when the pioneer preachers commenced to labor in the
new field. In the Western country, as well as in the Orient and the
isles of the sea, marched the representatives of the Christian religion in
the front ranks of civilization. Throughout the centuries which com-
prise this era, have the Christian missionaries been taught and trained
to accompany the first advance of civilization, and such was their
advent in Holt County. In the rude cabins and huts of the pioneers,
they proclaimed the same gospel that is preached in the gorgeous
palaces that, under the name of churches, decorate the great cities.
It was the same gospel, but the surroundings made it appear differ-
ent, in the effect it produced at least. The Christian religion had its
rise, and the days of its purest practice, among an humble minded peo-
ple, and it is among similar surroundings in modern times, that it seems
to approach the purity of its source. This is best shown in the days of
pioneer life. It is true, indeed, that in succeeding times, the church
has attained greater wealth and practices a wider benevolence. Fur-
ther, it may be admitted that it has gained a firmer discipline and
wields a more general influence on society, but it remains true, in pio-
neer times, we find a manifestation of Christianity that we seek in vain
at a later period and under contrasted circumstances. The meek and
the lowly spirit of the Christian faith — the placing of spiritual things
above vain pomp and show — appear more earnest amid the simple life
and toil of a pioneer people, than it can when surrounded with the
splendors of wealth and fashion.
But we may take a comparison less wide, and instead of contrast-
ing the Christian appearances of a great city with that of the pioneers,
we may compare that of forty years ago here in the West with that in
524 HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
the present time of moderately developed wealth and taste for display,
and we find much of the same result.
The comparison is perhaps superficial to some extent, and does not
fully weigh the elements involved, nor analyze them properly. We sim-
ply take the broad fact not to decry the present, but to illustrate the
past. So looking back to the early religious meetings in the log cabins
we may say : " Here was a faith, earnest and simple, like that of the
early Christians."
It is not our purpose, at this place, to give a full account of the
organization of all the churches of the county. Such matters of detail
have been given in connection with the history of the towns and town-
ships. It it our purpose here to speak only of the early churches and
ministers, of those Christian ministers who first proclaimed the gospel
of Our Saviour in Holt County, and of some of the organizations effected
by them, and of the trials and privations which they suffered in common
with the old settlers among whom they labored.
The first preacher in Holt County was the Rev. G. B. Thorp, a
Hard-Shell Baptist. He officiated in the first meeting house that was
built in the county. It stood on section 36, township 60, range 38, on
Mill Creek, and was erected in 1843. The building has long since dis-
appeared. This church is mentioned more fully in our chapter on Lewis
Township. The first church erected in Oregon was put up by the Bap-
tists and Christians.
One of the first ministers, to officiate as such, among the pioneers
of the county, was Bishop Marvin, who spent the early years of his min-
istry in Northwest Missouri. The Bishop was then a young man, with
headquarters at Oregon, Holt County, and laboring in behalf of the M.
E. Church. He held services about the years 1842 and 1843, in the
house first used as a court house, now occupying the corner where
William H. Sterrett's store stands. When in Oregon he put up at the
house of William Zook. But we will let the Bishop tell of those days
when he labored in this section of the country. In 1874 the old settlers
of the Platte Purchase held a reunion at St. Joseph. Bishop Marvin had
been invited to be present upon that occasion, but owing to his minis-
terial duties, which called him elsewhere at that time, he could not
attend. He, however, wrote the following letter to Col. James N. Burnes,
the President of the Old Settler's Reunion, which will doubtless be read
with great interest by all who knew the Bishop and who are familiar
with the incidents of that early day :
2719 Lucas Avenue, St. Louis, September 3, 1874.
James N. Burnes, Esq.:
Dear Sir and Brother : I have just returned from a tour, and find
yours of August 27th, inviting me to participate in the reunion of the
RAILROADS, SCHOOLS AND CHURCHES. 525
" old settlers " of the Platte Purchase. I regret that I did not know
of the reunion a month earlier. In that case I could have arranged
my appointments so as to enable me to be present. As it is, I have an
engagement in Dent County, which, for special reasons, it is necessary
to meet. You may assure your board that no circumstances of a trivial
character would prevent my acceptance of their invitation.
For the early settlers of Northwest Missouri I feel a regard that
amounts to enthusiasm, and increases with time.
The early years of my ministry were spent in that part of the state.
In 1842, I passed the present site of St. Joseph, on the way to a field of
labor quite on the frontier. It embraced all the country west of Noda-
way River. You will remember at that time there was no St. Joseph.
In subsequent years I labored in Clay, Platte and Buchanan Counties.
I shall never forget the uncalculating, unbounded hospitality of the "old
settlers." Many of them were in their first rude cabins, but those cabins
had the rarest capacity for entertaining both friend and stranger of any
houses of their size I ever saw. I often saw them, crowded, but to the
best of my recollection I never saw one of them full ; there was always
room for a fresh comer. I recollect once in the Platte Purchase, I was
wedging myself into a bed already occupied by five children, when one
of them waked sufficiently to exclaim, " Mamma, mamma, he's a scrougin
me !"
You will yourself remember that I was more than once a guest at
the house of your honored father. Bear with me when I say I can never
forget the model Christian mother, mistress and hostess, who presided
over the domestic scene there.
At that time I knew many men who did not know me, for I was a
mere youth. I knew they were great as compared with other men
I knew, but I had a fancy that the great men were in the east. But after
many years of extended observation I have come to the conclusion that
I heard as fine a specimen of political speaking in Liberty, in 1844, by
Colonel Doniphan, as I have ever heard since, and that the country
would be happy if the balances were everywhere held by hands as intel-
ligent and firm as those of the pioneer jurist, David R. Atchison.
Among my own class there was the laborious Redman, the scholarly
Tutt, the impetuous and saintly Roberts, and many others, now dead.
Nor can I omit the name of the incorruptible and courageous Roberson.
Some are still living : Holmes, Perry, Ruble, Jordan, Rush, Spencer,
Barker and others.
There was a man, a minister of Christ, a large portion of whose pub-
lic career belongs to the Platte Purchase, of whom I must say, he was in
some respects the most remarkable man I ever saw. I refer to W. G.
Caples. He was another " Agamemnon, King of Men." . He was a first-
class wit, a man of the finest social feelings, having positive ideas, and a
great end to accomplish. That end was the extension of the kingdom
of Christ and the salvation of men. In his view, a high standard of
popular education would contribute to this. He did much for Northwest
Missouri in establishing schools under Christian auspices, and although
they did not survive the war, they did much to elevate public sentiment,
and have left an influence behind them that must be permanent.
Now I proceed to say that the old settlers of Platte have heard as
great preaching as any other people on the American continent, and
526 HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
from the lips of the man, Caples. I have heard more scholarly men,
men whose sermons evinced higher cultivation and a better classical
finish ; but for power of argumentation, for philosophical breadth and
sweep, for grandeur of conception, for greatness of imagination, for force,
and pungency of popular appeal, for originality, variety and opulence of
thought, and for pathos, my conviction is his superior has not appeared
in the American pulpit.
I make no doubt that the ministry and church have done more to
quicken thought and create a thirst for knowledge in the west, than is
generally understood. Ministers of the gospel in the new communities,
being above the average of people in culture, and dealing in truths of a
character to elevate the mind and provoke inquiry, have, as an incident
of their calling, toned up the popular mind, encouraged a taste for read-
ing and created a demand for schools. Such a man as Caples cannot
mingle with people without elevating them.
But pardon me. I had no thought of becoming so garrulous. I am
getting to be almost an old man, and thoughts of the old times have
awakened the talking mood in me, until it seems a real hardship and
self-denial not to be with you at the reunion. It is thirty years since I
heard Doniphan. How I would like to listen to his utterances on this
occasion, when old memories will mellow his voice, and since, as I doubt
not, Christian sentiments will exalt and irradiate his conception.
Will you have the goodness to present to the " old settlers " my pro-
found regard, and express to them my deep regret that I cannot greet
them on this pleasant occasion, for there are many whom I shall never
meet again. As ever,
E. M. MARVIN.
Bishop Marvin died in 1878.
During his pastorate in one of the St. Louis churches, he delivered
his famous lectures on Catholicism, which have ever since been accepted
as a standard defense of the Protestant faith. In 1876 he sailed as one
of the missionaries of his church to visit the missions in foreign fields,
and reurned in 1877. While on his death-bed he finished his book, the
most important of his writings, entitled " To the East by Way of the
West," which gives an account of his voyage around the world, and
describing the field of labor in heathen lands. About the same time
that Bishop Marvin came to Holt County, or soon after, another
minister of the gospel, the Rev. W. G. Caples, of the M. E. Church, did
missionary work in Northwest Missouri, extending the field of his labor
to Holt County. Mr. Caples was an earnest, sincere and eloquent
preacher, and did much for the cause of Christianity. Bishop Marvin
speaks of him in laudatory terms in the above letter. Mr. Caples went
to St. Joseph, Missouri, in 1852, and took charge of the M. E. Church
South, where he remained for several years.
Among other ministers who officiated at an early day in the
county, was the Rev. Alexander Spencer, who was also of the M. E.
Church.
RAILROADS, SCHOOLS AND CHURCHES.
527
The Rev. E. A. Carson was the first Presbyterian clergyman to con-
duct services in the county. Mr. Carson is a Virginian by birth, and now
resides at Savannah, Andrew County, Missouri, at the advanced age of
eighty years.
The first Sunday School was organized by the Methodists. Mrs.
Sarah Hill raised the sum of $33 by subscription, to buy a library for
this school.
CHAPTER XXIII
FINANCIAL AND POLITICAL.
Below will be found the valuation of real estate, personal property
and total tax each year, for the last twenty-seven years :
Years.
Val. Per. Prop.
Value Real Est.
Total Value.
Total Tax.
1853. ■•
$139794
$ 147,200
$ 286.904
$ 1,084 5°
1854..
212,275
172,821
385,196
1,346 30
1856. . .
159,803
460,892
620,196
1,767 98
i860. . .
263,120
1,360,993
1,624,113
1862. . .
253,260
813.665
1,067,935
12,457 06
1863..
142,065
721,630
863,605
6,105 21
1864. . .
204,375
804,000
1,008,375
20,371 86
1865. .
299,045
867,610
1,166,665
1866. .
376,625
900, 1 1 5
1,276,740
25,376 68
1867. .
917,550
1,665,580
2,582,139
28,597 36
1868. .
9°3>66o
2,002,271
2,905,931
35,355 95
1869. .
1,021,185
2,460,491
3.5H,376
52,235 86
1870. .
1,247.305
2,789,419
4,056,724
85,446 29
1871. .
1,411,410
2,616,889
4,028,299
75,753 36
1872. . .
1,325.203
2,225,425
3,850,628
40,857 85
1873..
1,746,821
2,524,105
3,824,985
51,131 83
1874..
1,291,541
2,509,310
3,890.851
54,199 68
1875..
1,253,108
2,324,168
3,567,276
43.758 58
1876. .
1,421.915
2,320,135
3,742,050
39,586 04
1877..
1,572,660
3,069,998
4,642,658
47,405 97
1878. .
1,706,295
3,060,440
4,766,735
43,129 09
1881. .
1,664,766
3,039,066
4,713,832
41,729 08
1882. .
1,821,485
2,734,170
4.555,655
COUNTY REVENUE FUND, l88l.
Amount paid Treasurer, $22,472 52
Disbursements —
By warrants drawn on fund, $1 1,965 31
By transfers to road and bridge fund, 4,086 65
By transfer to poor fund, t 1,11509
By grand and petit jurors and grand jury
witnesses, 1,377 25
FINANCIAL AND POLITICAL. 529
ROAD AND BRIDGE FUND.
Amount paid Treasurer, $ 9,807 59
By warrants drawn on fund, $14,444 22
PAUPERS' FUND.
Amount paid Treasurer, $ 3,030 10
By warrants drawn on fund, $ 2,268 31
Amount of principal swamp land fund, 66,323 61
Amount of principal township 59, range 37, . . . , 742 20
Amount of principal township 60, range 37, ... . 948 32
Amount of principal township 61, range 37, ... . 1,035 l&
Amount of principal township 62, range 37, ... . 1,571 33
Amount of principal township 59, range 38, . . . . - 747 25
Amount of principal township 60, range 38, . . . . 1,261 65
Amount of principal township 61, range 38, ... . 1,083 29
Amount of principal township 62, range 38, ... . 752 19
Amount of principal township 60, range 39, ... . 848 00
Amount of principal township 61, range 39, . . . . 1,188 00
Amount of principal township 62, range 39, ... . 1,092 5 1
Amount of principal township 60, range 40, .... 526 00
Amount of principal township 61, range 40, . . . . 503 00
Amount of principal township62, range 40, . . . . 506 00 — $12,804 90
School fund arising from fines and forfeitures,. . 7,436 68
Road and canal fund, 775 66
Internal improvement fund, 2.751 97
Town fund, 142 08
The amount of outstanding warrants in the county amount to about
$20,000. J. H. C. CURTIS, Clerk.
By W. H. Richards, Deputy Clerk.
An abstract of the assessor's books of Holt County, Missouri, for the
year 1882. L. P. GRAHAM, Assessor.
LAND BOOK.
Number of acres of land 277,457.45
Number of town lots 3.950
Number of tracts, land 4,400 value $2,401,280
Number of town lots 3,95o value 332,890
Total 8,350 $2,734,170
PERSONAL BOOK.
Number. Value.
Horses 6,147 $ 241,645
Asses .- 16 . 1,025
Mules 1,727 84,825
Cattle.....* 21,922 303,700
Sheep 4,413 5,225
34
530 HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
Number. Value.
Hogs 37,95 1 1 18,840
Money, notes, bonds, &c 654,805
Bankers, capital stock 65,000
All other personal property 346,420
Total personal book $1,821,485
Total land book, brought down • 2,734,170
Land and personal $4,555,655
The valuation of the real estate in the different towns is as follows :
Oregon, $98,975 ; Mound City, $80,980; Forest City, $45,945 ; Craig,
$43,180; Corning, $19,445 ; Forbes, $3,165 ; Bigelow, $10,550; Maitland,
$29,655 ; Richville, $720 ; Whig Valley, $250 ; Marietta, $25.
It will be seen from the above statement that Holt County, finan-
cially, is in a good condition. Her debt consists of county warrants,
which will be paid during the next two years. These amount to about
twenty thousand dollars. The county owes no other debts and is
entirely free from bonded indebtedness to railroad or foreign corpora-
tions.
POLITICAL.
•
In the beginning there was but one party in Holt County — the
Democratic. The distinction of Benton and anti-Benton grew up later.
There were a few old Whigs in the county, but hardly enough to justify
a party organization until, perhaps, 1850. The great Benton had long
foreseen that the direction in which the ultra pro-slavery wing of the
Democratic party led was without the pale of all compromise. Their
cry was : " Slavery is national ; liberty is sectional," meaning thereby
that the condition of slavery was, under the National Constitution, such
that the slaveholder could safely convey his slaves to any state in the
Union, under that clause which declares "' the citizens of each state
shall have all the privileges and immunities of citizens in the several
states." Benton knew that this must lead to secession and war. He
had a very large following in Holt County. Indeed, as most of the
early settlers were from the border states of both sections, their sym-
pathies were with him. Gradually, as the slave interest grew stronger,
the anti-Benton wing became of greater weight.
As no newspaper was published in Holt County before 1857, it is
difficult to get at the facts as to politics in Holt County prior to that
date to ascertain who ran for offices and how candidates were nomi-
nated. In truth, the geographical position of Holt County, as well as
the character of its population, made that system of compromising
called by the radicals of all parties, " carrying water on bdth shoulders,"
and despised by them, an indispensable condition to success. The
FINANCIAL AND POLITICAL. 53 1
lighter and more easily a man's principles sat upon him the more prob-
able his success. One may imagine the position a candidate is in
between two factions diametrically opposed, warring against each other
to the knife, " the knife to the hilt," and whose votes he must have.
What they want is " principle." What he wants is " votes." They sus-
pect him for a rogue. He knows them for fools, or thinks he knows it.
Such, doubtless, was the situation and opinions on one occasion, when
the war between Benton and anti-Benton factions raged in Holt County
at its highest and a congressional canvass was taking place. A candi-
date had called a meeting at Oregon to discuss the situation. A certain
overcoat was fashionable at that time, as our elder readers may remem-
ber, which was so made that the wearer could turn it inside out or
outside in. When he desired to present a rough, hairy exterior to the
people or weather he turned the soft, smooth, delicate surface inside.
Buttons all arranged to suit. The candidate wore one of these over-
coats. When he rose to address the assembled sovereigns he took it off
and requested a friend among the expectant hearers to hold it. Having
spoken with his usual success and pleased the crowd with innumerable
jokes, he subsided. What was his astonishment when he saw the
"friend" who had been holding his two-sided overcoat raise it up before
J:he crowd, and, explaining to them the style of garment, remarked :
"Feller Citizens : I think as how its jist about this way with the Gin-
era-1, when he gits with a Benton man he wears his coat th's side out ;
and when he gits with an anti-Bentonite he turns it tother side out,''
turning the coat to explain his meaning. The roar that followed may
be imagined.
The first election of a general character ever held in Holt County,
was in the fall of 1844. The order of the county court provides judges
of elections for three or four townships. A congressman and some
county officers were to be voted for. In 1846, July 6, the court made
provision for another election of congressman and county officers, elec-
tion to be held at Nodaway Township, at Lewis, Benton and Dallas
Townships. In the list of officials the officers elected will be found.
The county court regularly made provision for elections, and appointed
judges for each election from the day they first assembled. The
political history has little or no interest until we approach the days just
preceding the rebellion. General James Craig, who was a pioneer set-
tler of Holt County, and removed to St. Joseph, became congressman
from the district, and served one or two terms, being succeeded by Judge
E. H. Norton, of Platte County.
Early in the summer of 1857, the Holt County Neivs was established,
and to its files, and those of its successor, the Sentinel, to as late as 1875,
now owned by Adam Klippel, of Portland, Oregon, we are indebted for
much of the following information. The News for July 31, 1857, informs
532 HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
the people that there is to be an election held for governor, supreme
judge and a circuit judge, and " that the election will be held on one day
only." We learn from' it that Colonel Stewart and Major Rollins were
the two candidates for governor, Stewart, anti-Benton, Rollins, Opposi-
tion Independent. The contest seems to have been hot and heavy. The
News says " the two candidates for governor came to blows, over at
Gallatin, last week."
The official vote of Holt County, as published a few numbers later,
was as follows :
Stewart. Rollins.
Lewis Township 104 158
Nodaway Township ■ 11 6
Benton Township 74 14
Dallas Township 20 14
Clay Township 10 8
For Supreme Judges — Gardenhire, 233; Scott, 162; Ryland, 330;
Napton, 9 ; Richardson, 313 ; Adams 5 and Noel 53 votes.
For Circuit Judge, Norton received 397 votes, there being no oppos-
ing candidate.
The population of Holt County is given as follows in an issue of the
paper in the fall of 1857: Males, 2,693; females, 2,432 ; slaves, 279;
free, 2.
The returns for the election last held are given and show that
Colonel Stewart was elected by 334 majority. It will be seen from the
votes that the anti-Benton party was growing to be the stronger wing.
During the succeeding year there was the usual lull in political matters
that follows elections. As the summer of 1859 approached, some interest
began to grow up concerning the coming contest, but it was entirely of
a local nature. At this time the Forest City Monitor was published by
J. R. Vanatta. The war waged during the summer of 1859, between the
two papers, the sharpness of the contest turning almost entirely on the
circuit clerkship. Mr. Ellzey VanBuskirk was the incumbent of that
office, having held it with ability and to the satisfaction of the people for
several years. He was again a candidate, and his cause was strongly
espoused by the News, as representing its own and the Oregon interests.
The Forest City interests, or rather, the newspaper interests on the
other hand, of the Monitor, supported Mr. C. C. Hawkins. It was sought
to get up some political feeling, but it would seem from the newspapers
that the matter was almost entirely local and personal. This was, per-
haps, the sharpest and most bitter election contest that ever raged in
Holt County. The other offices to be filled were supreme judge and
county clerk and surveyor, but the whole life and spirit of the contro-
versy was around the circuit clerkship. A thousand things were said
and done, as usual in such cases, which men ought to laugh at afterwards,
FINANCIAL AND POLITICAL. 533
besides learning the lesson how utterly foolish it is to abuse each other,
during a canvass for office, before the people. Let all other things be
equal and it is certain the " best abused" man is sure to be elected.
Moreover, it would seem to be the fact that public opinion espouses the
old legal maxim, "the greater the truth the greater the libel." Popular
sympathy grows stronger with the one most abused.
The result of the election held on the first Monday in August, 1859,
was that W. A. Hall received in Holt County, a majority of 750 votes
over all his competitors, who were Ewingand Adams. For circuit clerk,
VanBuskirk got a majority of 443 over Hawkins. For county clerk,
James Scott received a majority of 46 votes over the other two candi-
dates, George E. Glass and Daniel David. S. C. Collins was elected sur-
veyor without opposition. A very important question had been before
the people at this time, and was voted on at this election : " Shall the
county court take stock in the Platte Country Railroad, as per their
order?" The exact vote on this question seems to have been undeter-
mined, nor do we find it reported in the papers ; but from subsequent
proceedings we infer that it was not carried. The whole number of
votes cast at this election, was 1,085.
The railroad question seems to have been warmly agitated, and
many meetings were held. Men without any property to be taxed spoke
wildly at them as to how much the county could give. Some spoke of
donating from two to three hundred thousand dollars. As the popula-
tion of Holt County was then barely five thousand souls, of whom not
over. four hundred paid taxes to any amount worth speaking of, this was
a liberal appropriation of other people's money. The Nezvs, of November
20, 1859, says: "Twice the people have voted on the question,
'without points,' and twice defeated it." It says, "Let the points be
named, sc we may know what we vote for. Three points, Oregon, For-
est City and Mound City. Our motto is three points and the tax."
During the whole autumn of 1859, there is little else of public interest
agitated but this projected railway, to go through the Platte Country or
Purchase, as it was originally called. On the 17th of February, it was
announced that the stock subscribed by the county court was to be
accepted, and operations were soon to commence, and on February 24,
the News says : " The stock has been taken, and we have only to sub-
mit and trust to the honor of our county court to protect us." The
judges of the county court at that time were Judges Williams, Canon
and Gordon. The subsequent history of this railroad matter was brief,
so far as the road was concerned ; long, as to the payment of the bonds
given. The outbreak of the war prevented its completion.
It is rather amusing to read in the Holt County News, of March,
i860, an editorial like the following : "The Hon. Abel Lincoln has been
speaking in New England ; fishing for a nomination. Being uncertain
534 HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
as to success, he has charged from $50 to $200 for every speech." So
generally unknown was that man, at that time, whose name ere twelve
months had passed, was familiar to the people of the whole civilized
world.
To write a political history of Holt and leave out the once forbidden
topic of slavery, would be, indeed, to play Hamlet and leave out the
character of Hamlet. The southern people habitually boasted of their
attachment to the states of their birth. It was common to hear men
declare with enthusiam that Virginia, Kentucky and Missouri were there
native states ; but rarely, if ever, did a man from the north, when asked
as to his nativity, say more than the name of his state.
A little incident will illustrate the condition of feeling between the
men of the two sections. A southern man, in denouncing a certain citi-
zen through the paper, had ended by boasting that he " was a native of
the glorious State of Missouri, and had there been educated.". His oppo-
nent responded : " The Rev. gentleman boasts he was born in the State
of Missouri and educated in the State of Missouri. I reply that I was
born in the United States, and that I learned to read and write in the
United States, and if it is not quite so large as Missouri, it is just as good
a place."
We may be perfectly safe in assuming that the author of the latter
was a northern man, and possibly " tainted with the heresy of anti-
slavery," as it was then styled. Such facts and one we shall relate, will
show the undercurrent of feeling, perhaps, better than a volume of dis-
quisitions. While high above and all outside, every appearance indicated
a people unanimous for what was called " the South," a deep undercurrent
had set in that was sure to ally Missouri with the other cause.
The autumn of the year 1854 saw Kansas and Nebraska opened up
for settlement. Our people, owing to proximity, were more interested
in Kansas. Some few, however, made ventures in Nebraska, promi-
nently Mr. Dick Brown, who gave the name to the very important town
of Brownville. Some few engaged in the so-called "Border Ruffian
raids." These raiders were not regarded with a friendly eye by the
Benton men, and were but few in number. But from that time on the
differences between the two wings of the party in Holt County grew in
number and intensity. Meanwhile there grew up very slowly a senti-
ment hostile to slavery. This was confined to new comers from the
eastern states, who had arrived here after the year 1855 - No party was
formed, but the quiet feeling kept growing. Not more than two or
three persons had openly avowed their anti-slavery views. An incident
that occurred will illustrate the condition of the feelings and the
guarded manner in which the Free State men expressed themselves.
The Southern Methodists were represented by a minister of most ultra
views on the great political question. He was eloquent and loud in his
FINANCIAL AND POLITICAL. 535
denunciations of the Free Soilers, and had frequently used the expres-
sion then in common use : " If those people do not like our institutions,
let them leave the state. They are not obliged to stay here, but are
bound to submit to the laws." This man happened to be a strong tem-
perance man. Moreover, the dram shops began to be looked upon with
an evil eye by the most radical pro-slavery men, because they were the
only places where people did freely express their sentiments, and it
must be confessed that the advocates of Free State "doctrines very often
were heard talking quite openly there, and some of them, perhaps for
that very reason* were more liberal patrons of the dram shops. This
preacher was therefore strongly encouraged by the other class to
denounce intemperance.. He had succeeded in getting up quite a tem-
perance revival, when there appeared in the Holt County News of March
10, 1859, the only paper then published at Oregon, the following com-
munication •
%
Mr. Editor : I have hitherto hoped that we of Missouri would be
left free from the fell spirit of fanaticism which rages so much in the
North, especially in New England, but I very much fear the foul conta-
gion is spreading. On a Sunday night, lately, I attended a meeting and
was astonished, yes indignant, at hearing the minister pour forth the
vials of his wrath against one of the most important and peculiar insti-
tutions of the State. I mean the manufacturing, wholesaling, retailing
and drinking of intoxicating liquors. (I never did like to see a preacher
meddle in politics.) Let me tell the reverend gentleman that the
selling and drinking of intoxicants by the dram is licensed by the laws
of Missouri ; that these high-toned and ardent spirited gentlemen
engaged in the traffic pay for the privilege to the State, and let me
reiterate that the dramshops are " peculiar institutions" of Missouri, very
peculiar indeed, as not over four or five States thus establish them by
law, and being peculiar institutions, are they not therefore sacred ? Let
me tell him that not less than one hundred million dollars are invested
in the liquor business, in all its ramifications, in the State. Let me also
tell him that not less than fifty thousand persons in the State are engaged
in the business, or deriving subsistence through it. Let me tell him,
and he may wince under the information, that this peculiar species of
property, and the traffic in it that makes him so indignant, unlike another
kind of property that is the object of like fanatical assaults, are rapidly
increasing in the State, thanks to the encouragement of law. What
would the gentleman have ? What is the object of such attacks on
tt»e rights and property of so many persons ? Does he design to incite
rebellion or insurrection ? Such has been the result of this so-called
temperance agitation wherever allowed. Perhaps he only wishes to
reform the people, but let him beware lest he is attacking rights to
property, for the men engaged in the manufacture and vending of spirits
ardent, vinous and malt, have largely invested their capital therein, and
if, by his agitation, the demand is diminished, the value of their property
is lessened. Would he take bread out of their mouths ? His Bible teaches
him more charity. I do not uphold the abuse of liquor, but do say the
use of it is favored by Scripture, as are also many things the infidel, fanat-
536 HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
icism and abolitionism of the present age are against. Woe to the land
of the Puritans for its heresies !
It is a pity this loud talk against our interests is apparently allowed
by the Constitution of Missouri, an unfortunate section of which guar-
antees freedom of speech. Its framers never intended that section
should be so construed as to allow attacks upon vested interests or law-
ful trade.
If the gentlemen don't like the laws of Missouri, why do they stay
here ? Why not go to* Kansas, or some other wretched land where fanat-
icism has full sway, and the ears of conservatives are deafened by the
loud tongues of women's rights, abolition, temperance, free love, freedom
shriekers ? If I do not like our laws, I am not obliged t*o stay here, am
I ? I am no advocate of lynch law, but I do say that unless these assaults
on lawful traffic and property be nipped in the bud, there is no telling
where the spirit of fanaticism may lead such gentlemen. The next thing
we shall hear of some political preacher denouncing traffic in human
beings — in mothers and babes. PRO-WHISKY.
1
So unfamiliar with the spirit of irony were the people against whom
this missive was directed, that for some little time they really believed
the writer was earnestly giving his sentiments. Like the men Sidney
Smith spoke of, it "required a surgical operation to get a joke into their
heads." Moreover, it was word for word in the very language custom-
arily used in defending slavery. But gradually their attention was so
called to it, that it began to operate upon them as doubtless designed.
Of course, it delighted those whose feelings were enlisted on the other
side. They from the very first had understood it, and for some time
were accustomed to call themselves " Pro-Whisky " men, when ques-
tioned as to their politics.
The attack by John Brown on Virginia had the effect to excite ter-
ribly the pro-slavery element, and to place the moderate men at a great
disadvantage in all the Border States. In fact, from that time till after
the war began, the ultra pro-slavery men had all the advantage, owing
to that very wild, insane act of Brown. It so thoroughly intimidated the
men who were firmly opposing slavery in the Border States, but who
knew of no other mode of action than that by and through the laws of
the land. Men dreaded to even have it falsely alleged of them that they
were incendiaries, insurrectionists, and, under the laws of the land, mur-
derers, or that they were even suspected of sympathising with such meiij
Early in the spring of i860, the Democratic party of Holt appeared
to be unanimously in favor of Claiborne F. Jackson for governor, and its
organ declared that " he was the man to plant the flag of Democracy in
triumph on the capital walls of Jefferson City." The paper said it was
a dark time, and the outlook for 'our institutions' was most gloomy."
The word "institutions" invariably meant slavery. One would suppose
that all the interest and hopes of the five thousand people of Holt
County, were involved in the status of two or three hundred black men,
FINANCIAL AND POLITICAL. 537
women and children, as slaves. Nevertheless, the party that so absolutely-
ruled Holt at this time, expressed itself on all occasions as strongly
devoted to the Union, proclaiming it was their "sole hope for maintain-
ance and continuance of our institutions."
On the 14th of May, the Democracy of the district met in convention
at Plattsburg, and resolved emphatically : " The Union ! It must and
shall be preserved," in approval and confirmation of the resolutions and
proceedings of the Democratic Convention at Jefferson City, held April
9th, nominating Judge E. H. Norton for Congress. Jackson and Rey-
nolds and the whole state ticket were to all appearance about to be
unanimously supported by that party in Holt. The organ of the party
published the celebrated letter of Yancy, which contained the expres-
sion : "Fire the southern heart," that became a proverb. " If we could
do as our father's did — organize committees of public safety all over the
cotton growing states, we shall fire the southern heart, instruct the south-
ern mind, give courage to each other, and, at the proper moment, by
one organized, concentrated effort, we can precipitate the cotton states
into a revolution." Such were the concluding words of this missive, and
the News asks the people of Holt if they are " willing to follow these
seceders." It strongly denounces the position taken by those men.
By June, the various parties were preparing to hold their conven-
tions to nominate candidates for the presidency, and the anxiety in Holt
was most profound — too great for much outward show of excitement.
The Moderators, that remnant of the old Whig party, and all those who
would not vote with the Democrats on any terms, of whom, by this time,
quite a number were in the county, were delighted to learn of Bell and
Everett's nomination and acceptance. By this time, the Baltimore con-
vention was in session, and it was evident had Douglas been nominated
with any kind of approach towards harmony, he would have been cor-
dially supported by the Democracy of North West Missouri.
The News of June 29, however, which had shown a disposition to
sustain him, announces the disruption of the Baltimore convention, and
bitterly blames the Douglas delegates as the cause of it. It says "their
assumptions were too great for vassals to bear, much less for delegates
equal to themselves. They had the might, not the right, to bring about
the result which they sought, as they were from states that rarely, if
ever, cast a Democratic vote in the Electoral CoUege. We now have
two sets of candidates in the field, Douglas and Fitzpatrick : Brecken-
ridge and Lane." From that day on the News pursued a course better
suited to the latitude of Alabama than of North Missouri. In a few days
it tore down the names of Claiborne F. Jackson and of the others on the
state ticket, denouncing them as traitors to the cause of Democracy.
On the 24th of June Judge Norton, candidate for Congress, and Silas
Woodson, for Circuit Judge, spoke at Oregon. Col. Branch, who ran as
53^ HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
a Republican for Congress, was " sick and could not appear." This is the
first inkling we had that any one had ever ventured to run as a Repub-
lican for any office before the people of Holt. But the bitter hostility of
the ultra pro-slavery Democrats towards the Douglas men made it quite
safe. The Bell and Everett men were, on all occasions, warmly com-
plimented by the Breckenridge party, while even the Black Republicans
were regarded with some complacency by them, as contrasted with the
advocates of " Squatter Sovereignty." " Anything to beat Douglas."
At this time there occurred an incident that might have caused even
bloodshed, but for the intense anxiety as to the result of the coming elec-
tion. A colored man, named Williams, who for many years had lived
at Council Bluffs, and was known to be a free man, was kidnapped and
brought to Rock Port, where he escaped and was soon after arrested and
confined in the jail at Oregon " for being found in the state without a
permit." While there confined, previous to such time as he might be
sold, under the statute provided in such cases, Dr. Blanchard and a Mr.
Gaston, of Fremont County, Iowa, came to procure his discharge. He
was taken, by writ of habeas corpus, before Judge Frazer. The two wit-
nesses, Blanchard and Gaston, both known to be men of the highest
respectability in Fremont County, Iowa, and as such known to many of
our citizens, testified as to their knowledge of the status of the man, but
could not swear as to the place of his birth or that his mother was a free
woman when he was born.
The court, although no witnesses appeared against the man,
remanded the poor fellow back to his prison. Great excitement arose
at Council Bluffs. Fortunately the congressman for this district, Gen.
James Craig, a man well and favorably known to every man, woman
and child in Holt County, where he had formerly resided and practiced
law at the county seat, had a brother who was then the sheriff of Potta-
wottomie County, in which county Council Bluffs is located. This man
was sent by the people of that town, provided with authority and ample
funds to act. He appeared, procured an attorney to assist, got an order
from Judge John F. Williams, who resided above Mound City, to bring
the prisoner before him. Night was the time chosen to act. The jailor
was served with the writ, and the man was carried before the judge, sur-
rounded by a guard sufficient to overawe any attempt to take him off by
force. The judge, in five minutes, ordered his release, and he, with
sheriff Craig, went on his way rejoicing.
In a few days the News announced that Messrs. Gaston and Blanch-
ard, of Iowa, who had been after the kidnappers, passed through on their
return home, "with the scoundrels in irons" who had been guilty of the
crime. Justice requires us to add that it rejoiced over their capture,
and that the Southern men of Southern blood and politics were the
FINANCIAL AND POLITICAL. 539
most indignant and enraged ajt this daring assault upon the peace, the
laws and sacred rights of man.
The excitement of this political contest culminated on the occasion
of the meeting at Oregon, on Monday, July 22, when nearly all the
county candidates were present. There were Messrs. Galen Crow and
Samuel R. Young, who ran for representative. Mr. Young had held
the position during the last term, much to the satisfaction of the people,
was well known as a Democrat of the most reliable type, but did not
suit the new school now dominating the South, so those of them in Holt
County invited Mr. Crowto run. There were the candidates for several
other offices present, among whom were Capt. Williams, of Forest City,
and Harris and Judge Andrew Meyer, who were running for the county
court judgeship. There also was Mr. George Lehmer, a merchant of
Oregon and a Free State man in sentiment — personally very popular —
who was a candidate for sheriff. These all spoke, as did several others.
The county had been exhaustively canvassed by this time ; meetings
had been held at every important point, and this was the final winding
up. It was very largely attended, and, to the surprise of some, all went
off quietly and with good humor. On Monday, August 6th, the State
election was held. The feeling in the county may be gathered from the
vote :
For Governor — C. F. Jackson, (Douglas Democrat,) received 5°4
votes ; H. Jackson, (Breckenridge Democrat), received 192 votes ; Sam-
ple Orr, (Bell and Everett), received 258 votes ; Gardenhire, (Repub-
lican), received 173 votes.
Congressman — E. H. Norton, (Douglas Democrat), received 838
votes ; Scott, (Opposition), received 364 votes ; Branch, (Independent
Republican), 26 votes.
Circuit Judge — Silas Woodson received 1,018 votes ; Pitt received
83 votes ; Wilson received 104 votes.
Sheriff — Emerson received 425 votes ; Lehmer received 348 votes ;
Poindexter received 319 votes ; Harrol received 176 votes.
For Representative — Hon. S. R. Young received 524 votes ; Galen
Crow, 759 votes.
Frazer, Williams and Harris were elected as county judges ; Chad-
dock, county treasurer, and Collins, assessor.
Here was a result to astound men who up to this time thought that
they represented the sentiments of a great majority of the people in
Holt County. Out of nearly twelve hundred voters, they could poll with
all their efforts, only less than two hundred. Why, the despised Black
Republicans polled almost as many, and if the vote of Lehmer, for sher-
iff, was any indication, he being notoriously a Free Soiler, they could
even beat them. This would have served as a quietus to any but men
frenzied by fanaticism ; would have satisfied them that their politics were
54-0 HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
utterly unsuited to Holt County. They called a great Breckenridge
Democratic Convention, for September ist, to meet at Oregon. Their
report shows that the attendance was very slim, but that " they expected
no more, and that all was done with firmness and in order." The most
active members were James Foster, J. L. Reynolds, Dr. Howard, G. IB-
Thorp and James B Campbell. A club was organized. The Bell and
Everett party also organized a club, in which George W. Crow and a Mr.
Southall figured. The Douglas men organized also, and the Hon. S. R.
Young, E. VanBuskirk, Levi Zook, Samuel Word, John F. Williams,
Hiram Patterson, T. W. Collins and Dr. William L. Gordon figured as
active members, as by the News report.
The Courier, of Forest City, edited by A. R. Conklin, was a Doug-
las Democrat organ, and boldly maintained its views in spite of threats
from some of the Breckenridge men. Later in the progress of events,
after the war began, Mr. Conklin was set upon by assassins, who fired
upon and seriously wounded him. These assailants were moved entirely
by their hatred of his course as a "Union saver."
An incident worth relating for its novelty and daring, is the fact of
a Republican meeting having been held at the court house, in Oregon,
on September 28, i860. This was the first one ever held in Holt County
by that party. The speakers were announced to be Dr. Landon, Repub-
lican elector of Buchanan County, and James T. Boynton, editor of the
Free Democrat, a Republican paper of St. Joseph. Mr. Boynton only
spoke. The meeting was quite well attended, and especially by leading
pro-slavery men, who were curious to hear what any one could possibly
say in favor of " Black Republicanism," as they invariably called it. Mr.
Boynton, a youth of about twenty-three years, of handsome and very
prepossessing appearance, exhibited wisdom and sagacity far beyond
his years. Bold, firm and clear in the enunciation of his views, modest
and polite before so many enemies, he won their good will from the start,
and it is quite certain they would have protected him had any one ven-
tured to disturb him after the first few minutes. The Republicans were
delighted at his manly exposition of just what was their meaning and
designs. The young man, who soon after left this country, carried the
best wishes of all who heard him on that occasion. Of his subsequent
career little or nothing is known to us. On the 24th of September Mr.
T. P. Akers made a memorable speech in the court house. He was an
elector on the Bell and Everett side. The Breckenridge men glorified
greatly over it as such "a flattener of Douglas Squatter Sovereignty as
would injure that cause in Holt County." At this time there were
scarcely any persons in Holt County who were avowed adherents of
Lincoln's cause. Clarke Irvine and the Rev. Stephen Blanchard had long
been notoriously open and avowed Free Soilers, and perhaps had the
other parties been asked how many such were in Holt County before
FINANCIAL AND POLITICAL. 541
the recent state election, they would have responded by naming only
those two.
By October 5, the Nezvs gave it up that Lincoln would be elected,
and advised submission to him until his first overt act to infringe on "our
rights." Soon after, Mr. A. R. Conklin took hold of the News and pub-
lished it for a short time, at the same time conducting the Cotirier, of
Forest City. As early as December 1st, we find the two papers denounc-
ing James Buchanan for his fatal quiescence while secession was organ-
izing, boldly, its plans right before him. A rather pertinent question is
asked by the editor : "What will Lincoln do ?" We give the reply in
Lincoln's own language, because of its very striking matter-of-fact
expression, its terseness and fitness. The News says Lincoln is known
to be a very firm man where he has once determined, and here is his
reply to the question : " What will we do ? Old John Brown has been
hung for treason against one state. Though slavery is wrong and he
thought he was right, we cannot object, for he was guilty of bloodshed
and treason against a state. So if you try to destroy this union, it will
be our duty to deal with you as Old John Brown was dealt with by the
state of Virginia."
By December 15 the thirty-seven thousand dollars of railroad
bonds had been thrown upon the market, the company realizing but
fifty per cent, owing to the secession attitude, and half the working
force was withdrawn.
On the 2d of February the News had again changed. A Dr. J.
Robinson, a native of Maine, but an old citizen and a rousing secession-
ist became editor. He was a man of some literary attainments, but
seemed overruning with bitterness against the section of his birth, and
indeed it had been a fact noted for years that the most intemperate
proceedings of the pro-slavery party were instituted and conducted by
northern men. The infamous Slavery Code of Kansas that made it
death to utter certain anti-slavery sentiments, or to aid in any way a
slave to escape, was the work of an Ohio man ; and we ought never to
forget that millions of people of the north of all the old parties, Whig,
Democratic, Knownothing, native American, and even some Abolition-
ists gave all the aid and comfort they could by words to the secession-
ists of the south. These are facts ot history well for us to bear in mind
when we are disposed to bitterly inveigh against our brethren of the
south. It is very evident that the secessionists of Holt County had
determined, in spite of their small numbers, to have things their own
way, trusting to the greater secession element throughout the state to
compel the lesser to gravitate towards it.
A state convention having been called to meet on February 18,
1861, it was announced that Messrs. Singleton, of Andrew County;
Griffith, of Nodaway County, and Baxter and Van Buskirk, of Holt
542
HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
County, were candidates for the position of delegates to it. The News
remarked that Mr. Prince L. Hudgens had consented to run. This man
and Baxter were the prime favorites of the secessionists. Both were
ministers of the gospel and eloquent speakers, Hudgens being a man of
some celebrity as such. He also practiced law on occasions, uniting the
two occupations somewhat as did the more famous H. Clay Dean. The
declaration of the secessionists was that they "were not in favor of
secession, but that, after exhausting all means of compromise of pend-
ing difficulties, then, in case of failure, if the other border states go
south and the question is north or south, with the south we will go." As
several of the states had put themselves out of the Union, as they said,
and perhaps as their people thought, and the only question that could
come up was that of compulsion or letting them go, this was a very
plain declaration as to where these men intended to carry Missouri.
The bitter contest resulted in the election of Van Buskirk, of Holt
County, and Wilson, of Andrew County, who had also become a candi-
date.
The News, of February 23, announces this result, and adds that it is
uncertain whether Hudgens or Baxter be the successful one. Hudgens,
however, was chosen, as the result showed.
The sentiment of the Douglas men was well explained by the Cour-
ier at this time, which said that " if Lincoln discharges his duties under
the constitution so far as our institutions are concerned, that is all we
ask." Van Buskirk, the delegate to the convention, was an outspoken
Douglas man, and the secessionists had no confidence or hope in him.
We find that at- the presidential election the vote of Holt was thus :
For Douglas, 453 votes ; for Bell, 384 votes ; for Lincoln, 202 votes, and
for Breckenridge, only 171 votes. If at the state election the secession-
ists were astounded, at this result they were mortified. However, they
could count on two-thirds of the Bell men in their later efforts. This
gave them courage. An incident at Oregon, just after the news of
Lincoln's election enraged them. About sunset loud guns were fired
from several blacksmith shops, the detonations following and answering
each other like echoes. " What means this ?" they asked. They were
told that the brawny iron-armed sons of the anvil were rejoicing at Lin-
coln's election ! "It was time, indeed," they began to think, "to take
some measures to stay the progress of abolitionism, lest the institutions
of Missouri crumble."
The convention which had met immediately, almost, after the elec-
tion, held a short session and adjourned in March to meet in December
at Jefferson City. Its proceedings were violently denounced by the
secessionists of Holt County. The sentiment of that body was, at this
date, expressed by certain resolutions, that declared that it was opposed
to any step being taken by Missouri looking to her withdrawal from the
FINANCIAL AND POLITICAL. 543
Union, and opposed to " coercion by force of arms." Looking back on
this it is easy to see that the convention felt its great responsibility and
sought to preserve the peace by thus seeking to placate both parties.
But see how rapidly revolutions educate people in the way they are tend-
ing. This resolution expressed what the secessionists of Holt County
declared was their intention at the time of the election of delegates, but
now nothing was more unsatisfactory. At the same time the Union
men were just as rapidly being prepared to sacrifice every consideration
in favor of the Union. The fight in the convention came up as an
amendment to the resolutions " refusing to furnish men and money to
aid the government in coercing a Confederate state." By the position
men took on this it was clearly seen who were the real Union men and
who were not to be depended on in that great crisis now approaching
with fearful strides.
Willard P. Hall and John B. Henderson put themselves most prom-
inently before the people as opposed to that amendment, while Prince
L. Hudgens became one of the most conspicuous of all its friends.
Circuit court was to meet Monday, April 15, at Oregon. We know
now that the secessionists secretly and very quietly prepared what is
called by diplomatists a grand Coup d' Etat. Monday was to be for
them as the gathering of the clans. Everything was prepared by them
for such an exhibition as must intimidate the enemy by its moral weight.
Success in this depended entirely on the impression to be made that it
was impromptu — a manifestation on the spur of the moment from the
overcharged hearts of an almost unanimous people. Of all this no Union
man had even a suspicion.
So, when court met, all the leaders of the movement were there
with their followers. After dinner, when it was time for court to reas-
semble, it was suggested to the judge that he allow the room to be occu-
pied an hour or so for political purposes, agreeably to an old custom.
The usual number of suitors, jurors, witnesses and lawyers were in
attendance and, on that first day, it was always quite large. Besides
the local attorneys at that time, Holt County being connected with
Buchanan, there were commonly a large number of the St. Joseph bar
here. On this day there were present very many lawyers from the other
counties and from St. Joseph. The complaisant judge, Norton, gave the
opportunity, as requested.
Mr. Prince L. Hudgens was soon upon the stand, and in the full
flow of his eloquence. It was suggested that the crowd was too great
for the room ; hundreds could not get in. There was an adjournment
to the court house yard, which then contained a thrifty growth of young
trees, and several large locusts among the number, sufficient for a com-
fortable shade on that very pleasant afternoon, where the orator for
hours intoned the litany and creed of secessionism before hundreds of
544 HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
his admirers and a few mere lookers-on. Hon. Willard P. Hall, of St.
Joseph, was present. This gentleman was known as one of the foremost
lawyers in the State, and had been ever most highly esteemed by all
parties, and especially by those with whom he now disagreed so strongly.
Circumstances were pointing to him as likely to be the chief of the Union
men of Missouri. His course in the convention had embittered the
Secessionists against him. There he sat, a conspicuous mark for the
shafts aimed at him by the orator. When Hudgens ended, fair play
entitled him to a hearing. Perhaps it had been pre-arranged that he
should be put upon the stand to be insulted unless he receded from his
position. He spoke with extreme moderation ; too much so, for the days
that were hastening on. But of all things to be dreaded by men like
him at that time was the least suspicion of having any sympathy with
the hated and unfashionable " Black Republicans." To be in the society
of one of them was intolerable. Mildly as he expressed himself, his
arguments were too strong for the endurance of the excited Secessionists.
Some men, who had heretofore always conducted themselves as gentlemen,
howled and hooted at him, threatening violence against the "Union saver."*
He showed them that they were about to destroy the sole protection
slavery had in all the civilized world, to wit, " the Union under the Consti-
tution," and were moving the Canada line towards the Gulf of Mexico.
But they would not tolerate even that talk. Unionists and Abolition-
ists were to them the same thing, and he was obliged to desist. It will
be seen that in a few days these men were loudest in their denunciation
of the slightest restriction on free speech, when the tables were turned
and duly organized force was brought to bear upon them. Thus closed
this memorable day for Holt County. Ere another session of court was
held he who would have spoken as Mr. Hudgens did, on that day, would
have done so at the imminent risk of his life ; the bold, proud leaders of
Secession were fugitives, or with the rebel army ; the few who held the
peculiar property comprehended under the term " institution," were
exiles, their slaves virtually free, while of that great howling mob, whose
maniiestations so delighted the active intellects who created the dem-
onstration, of that mob two-thirds were armed and equipped to des-
troy rebels by the great power that held the purse and sword of Govern-
ment, and ever will do so, namely : the authorities that hold the offices
in due course. The News came out in great staring capitals, headed
" Glory Enough for One Day ! " "P. L. Hudgens Speaks ! " ''Southern
Rights Triumphant ! " " The People Speak ! " It expressed great pity
for Mr. Hall, and was grieved as well as surprised that he should place
himself in such a position.
By the 27th of April, grim visaged war was indeed visible. The
attack on Fort Sumpter and the call for 75,odo men and the almost
FINANCIAL AND POLITICAL. 545
unanimous uprising of the whole north, showed the time at hand when
there could no longer be any shuffling or prevarication by any person.
The busiest man in our district was the Reverend P. L. Hudgens,
and Dr. Robinson with the Rev. Baxter, were most active in the county.
The grand object was to " organize military companies to defend our
institutions — merely to act on the defensive." At this time the expres-
sion, "Armed Neutrality," was much heard in the land.
The News informs us that ''' Whisky Bob Stewart is trying to hand
Missouri over to the black Republicans." It declares that " we of Holt
are too indifferent in this work of forming military companies."
In May (19th) the Netvs admits the situation is considered dangerous.
Shortly afterwards the paper was seized by Colonel E. Peabody, and a
note on a bit of brown paper, in place of a regular issue, mentions that
fact, and that it was returned to James Foster July 24, 1861. A few more
issues, under secession control, inform us that home guards are organized
at Nickols' Grove, Mound City, and other points. The Harney manifesto
and the Price-Harney treaty are commented on by the last of May. The
editor raves that " clanking chains are around him — fetters are on our
limbs — gags in our mouths. In this land of liberty there is ' free
speech ' no longer." By the 22d of June, all pretense of even neutrality
was thrown off. The secessionists of Holt cried, as did they all in other
counties : " Come to the rescue — our sacred soil is invaded by the armed
minions of Lincolnism." " Vile mercenaries surround us." " Citizens
of Holt ! Have you indeed the blood of freemen in your veins ?" Gov-
ernor Jackson had called for fifty thousand men, and the state authori-
ties were at open war with the government of the Union. A strong
federal force was at Kansas City, and Jackson was at Arrow Rock with
two thousand men. The state convention had been called to meet on
Monday, July 23d. It would seem that the loyal people of the north-
western counties had become nerved up. The News of July 20th says :
"Among the persons taken at Maryville by the Lincoln mob, were the
sheriff, and county and circuit clerks. So it seems that the Lincoln
minions are assailing county, as well as state authorities ?" This issue is
presumably the last. J. W. Biggers is proclaimed as the editor, and his
career was like that of the rocket.
From this time on, the condition of society in Holt County was by
no means pleasant. The men who had insisted on bringing affairs to
this crisis, who, from destroying free speech, and even thought on one
subject, had come to the most absolute intolerance on all questions that
displeased them, were now in turn silenced. Then came the role of the
assassin. Foolish, ignorant men ! Every bed they prepared for others,
.they had to lie upon themselves. A few men of education, some culture
and ability, taught doctrines that demoralized the masses ; set examples
that recoiled terribly on their own heads. It should be a lesson forever
35
546 HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
of the feartul responsibility resting on men who are looked up to as lead-
ers in society. .
For a short time the most prominent men of either party had to
take their departure alternately, according as the power of the one or
the other preponderated, till finally the secessionists had to leave entirely,
and even those suspected of the least sympathy were not safe. Perhaps
the occasion that did most to open their eyes to the possibilities they
seem never to have dreamed of, was the visit of Colonel Peabody with
some United States troops, at Oregon. A sentinel was quietly at night
placed at the doors of each disloyal man. In the morning they found
themselves prisoners.
The attempted assassination of Mr. Conklin, editor of the Forest
City Courier, and the killing of a Mr. Smith, east of Oregon, were fearful
examples set by those whom we must now call rebels. By the autumn,
nearly all the men in Holt County capable of bearing arms, were either
gone from home in the Union or rebel service, or were organized into
active militia at home. The government of the state was soon in the
hands of Union men. The Provisional Militia and six months' men did
splendid service in preserving order, and holding Missouri fast to the
Union. When their time expired the Missouri State Militia was organ-
ized for the war, armed and equipped and paid by the general govern-
ment. Holt County contributed far more than her quota to the Union
service, as her military history will show. Her political condition was
one of extreme quiescence. She was entirely under control of the fed-
eral power. Disloyalists in sentiment had great hope until after the
battle of Pittsburg Landing, by which, though at first encouraged, they
came finally to be cast down. There was literally no political agitation
in Holt County for a long time.
Early in the spring of 1862, the Missouri State Militia had been
organized, and a large number of the most active men in the county,
among those left, entered Companies B and F, of the Fourth Missouri
State Militia Cavalry Volunteers, W. S. Canon being Captain of Company
B, and Alfred Walters, of Company F. George W. Kelly, son of the
Colonel Kelly, who was one of the earliest pioneers of Holt County, was
major of the regiment, and George Hall, brother of Willard P. Hall, was
Colonel. Large numbers entered other companies. Later Company C,
of the Ninth Missouri State Militia, was organized, and composed almost
entirely of Holt County men, Lieutenant Samuel Patterson acting as
captain.
Throughout the county the slave property became demoralized
almost in the very beginning and passed into Kansas. Bands of men
called " Jayhawkers " visited Holt County from Kansas or Nebraska,
with some citizens of the county to guide and instruct them. This was
the opportunity of a bold and reckless class and they were quick to
FINANCIAL AND POLITICAL. 547
seize upon it. Horses, mules and money were the real object, punish-
ment of rebels and freedom of the slaves the pretext. It would be
curious to know what must have been the reflections of these men,
especially the largest slaveholders, on the condition during the winter
and spring of 1861-2. It is not, possible that their wildest suppositions
ever proposed the sudden, overwhelming revolution in their affairs.
Those who created the demonstration in the Court House Park on that
memorable Monday in April were now fugitives or exiles, their property
scattered to the four corners of the earth. In June, 1861, rejoicing as
over permanent triumph at such petty affairs as the invasion by Pace of
Oregon, capture of the court house and raising of a rebel flag there-
upon, a fact that consolidated the Union element of the county ; in
July astounded unspeakably at the sight of United States troops in
their midst and bewailing the loss of their liberties. Still they could
assemble at various parts of the county, make plans and give each other
counsel. Accustomed to ride on horseback, many of them passed much
time in that way. But all this was ended after the jayhawkers visits.
Thenceforth they had to go on foot. This stroke secured the peace of
the county. After that there was no more danger of collisions between
bands of Union and rebel men. Later, the encouragement given to the
class of men engaged in plundering reacted, and the time came when the
owner of good horses and mules was denounced as a rebel and robbed,
regardless of his real status. Some men, as late as 1865-6, seemed to
have forgotten that peace had returned, and regarded those who differed
from them as without the protection of law. A notorious person, who
had been indicted for robberies and murderous assaults perhaps twenty
times during the war and the year following, and had escaped by the
confusion of the times, was finally punished by imprisonment for some
smaller offense, and broke jail. It is almost amusing to read that as
late as the spring of 1867 some county officials, a militia major and other
prominent citizens of an adjoining county, in another State whither he
had fled, issued a certificate to the good people of Holt that they " knew
him to have been a 'truly loyal' man during the war, to be a good cit-
izen and a man of good character, and that his prosecution is malicious,
and his sentence should be remitted." It is well to note, too, that the
very radical newspaper, of the most ultra radical Republican county of
the State, the Holt County Sentinel, publishing this, replied : " Cer-
tificates of loyalty during a rebellion some years ago are no excuse for
crime to-day, and this man of good character is a fugitive from justice."
This affair is at once a proof how far demoralization had gone, and of
an early, happy convalescence.
Politically, of course, new men had come to the fore — men who, in
the former state of things, never could have had an opportunity of recog-
nition. At such times it is always the radical element that rules, The
54§ HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
county officers were entirely changed. Then might be witnessed the
growth of a sentiment that should compel the abolition of slavery. At
this point began the divergence between conservative unionism and
radicalism. Here began the basis of the two parties that were to con-
tend for several years over the conduct of the war and reconstruction
after peace. Among a people so homogeneous as ours, what takes place
in each county, illustrates the general spirit. One very striking fact is
that some men who had been known in the state as most unrelenting,
slaughter-breathing secessionists, became in a few days the very incar-
nation of hate towards the rebel cause. Charles D. Drake is an illustra-
tion of this, as in another state is General Logan. Mr. Drake had most
to do with shaping the course of events for a few years in Missouri.
Strange to say, those who had been noted as anti-slavery men and sup-
porters of Lincoln, such men as Blair, Brown and Gardenhire became
the representatives of a milder sentiment. The efforts of the adminis-
tration to hold the border states and the need of conciliating and court-
ing the representatives of those opposed to it, to the neglect of those
who stood bound and pledged to that administration, may account for
this.
Mr. B. F. Loan was elected to Congress from this district as a Rad-
ical Republican, and the successor of Judge Norton. He represented it
two terms and figured among the most extreme of the fiery Radicals.
Those who pursued a conservative course in the convention and else-
where, became so unpopular that their moderation which had preserved
Missouri to the Union was forgotten or disregarded by that element that
succeeded those who by direct felo de se had left the places of power
vacant. Mr. A. G. Hollister was chosen as representative.
The examples of violence and outrage set by the defunct faction
were unhappily followed and improved upon, if such a word may be used
in this connection. In 1863, a large number of those who had been
misled into rebellion, as well as some few who had misled them, desired
to return "home" — to that place to which in all times of despair the
human heart is sure to turn. But for them it was home no longer. It
was the fortress of enemies. Only by entering the Union service and
donning the blue uniform, could their persons be made safe. Many did
so. A few who did not, but ventured to remain, were driven out or
'assassinated. The Union men were alarmed at the idea of these men
returning. They feared that they might influence many doubtful per-
sons through the county to join with them in resisting the government,
little knowing how entirely broken in spirit and changed these people
were. During 1863-64, a lawless spirit was rampant. Martial law pre-
vailed. Property was destroyed and lives taken in some cases, at some
places within the county and along its borders. In the autumn of 1862, an
order had been issued by the military authority controling the district,
FINANCIAL AND POLITICAL. 549
General Loan commanding, which was very generally directed to the
loyal men, requesting them to meet, organize and disarm every suspected
person and house. This was literally and thoroughly obeyed. There-
after the people known as sympathizers had no arms, and were liable to
be abused by whoever might do so. They were completely at the mercy
of ruffians, and often indebted for safety to those whom, in their days of
pride and power, they most despised. Men found generous friends or
mean, treacherous enemies often where they least expected.
After the expiration of the Provisional Militia service the whole
ablebodied force of the state was organized into the Enrolled Missouri
Militia. Holt County had several companies. On occasions men from
these companies were detailed to go on duty at various points within the
state. The Gamble government, that had succeed d upon the anarchy
left by the Jackson rule, was deemed conservative. This was a loyal
government, true to the Union and the Constitution to the death. But
there was slavery, the everlasting bone of contention, even when no
slaves were left. Now there were Union men and Union men — one class
for the extirpation of slavery, the other " for the Union as it was."
" What," exclaimed the former, " the Union as it was ! Rebels back in
power! Slavery reinstated ! Never! From this height to which they have
driven us, through fire and blood, we have caught a glimpse of the prom-
ised land, and, by all the powers of heaven and earth and, if it need be,
hell, to that glorious land shall we carry this people." The others
regarded these as " impracticables — insane." Yet who does not see now
that had the Union been restored at any time after " Bull Run," ere
three months the whole South must have been overrun by vast armies
of men, with fire and sword, and the whole land, perhaps, drenched in
the blood of civil war. Bull Run rang the death knell of slavery, and
thenceforth the war, sectional in character, pursued its course. The lead-
ing Union men of Holt County were, almost to a man, Radical. Oregon
was the center of Radicalism. When the next presidential election came
round, Lincoln and McClellan, the opposing candidates, such was the
condition that it was as much as a man's life was worth to openly declare
himself for McClellan, at Oregon. At Forest City a different temper
was manifest. The vote stood as follows, and is a perfect indication of
the great changes wrought, the condition of sentiment prevailing at the
different precincts and the general feeling. The whole vote of the county
stood as follows: Lincoln received 673 votes, and McClellan received 81
votes.
By an order of the new convention, all offices of the county were
vacated about May, 1865. The places of the incumbents were filled by
appointment by the governor. Radicalism had triumphed in the State.
Conservatism, which no doubt had held the state for the Union, was now
hated by the dominating spirit which was born and nurtured through
550 HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
and by hatred of slavery. Each spirit in its turn had served the cause
of the Union, and been necessary to it.
During the winter of 1863-4, and summer and fall of 1864, there was
often a very riotous and reckless feeling manifested by some militia men,
and returned or furloughed soldiers, encouraged by some excessively
loyal men, who had remained at home. The Gamble Government being
conservative, had retained or enlisted as much of the Missouri State
Militia as possible, with sentiments akin to its own. The more violent
regiments or companies it sought to disband. It kept the Missouri State
Militia under control of the more conservative officers as much as possi-
ble. One regiment (Penick's) had been disbanded. New regiments, or
whole companies, of old ones, had been enlisted from those people called
" paw-paws " — people who being southern, but not secessionists, or former
sympathizers, or deserters, or discharged from the Confederate service,
had been driven from their poor homes, and had subsisted on paw-paws
in their retreats. The conduct of some of the Enrolled Missouri Militia
companies was such that complaints were frequent. Inebriety, rioting,
violence of every description, were the usual condition at some points
where they were stationed. A common occurrence was for some of
these men to assail some harmless sympathizer, abuse him, and only
release him on his treating them. Old men and cripples were often the
victims of these "braves." Such things were common in Holt County.
Warned in vain repeatedly, that the government would disarm them
unless they preserved order, and proved more subordinate to their
officers, the state authorities finally compelled them to surrender their
arms to the Paw-paw Militia. This created a bitter and vindictive hate,
that gratified itself in blood. Captain Markwell, who had been commis-
sioned as captain of one of the companies that had been recruited in
place of a disbanded one, was murdered in cold blood by a few men who
met him a few miles north of Oregon. He was deliberately shot down
by the hand of murderers as ruthless as any that ever dogged the life
from man ; murdered as a sympathizer with rebellion by men who them-
selves were in open, flagrant rebellion against their own constituted
authorities. Captain Markwell had very early seen the futility and
hopelessness of the rebel movement, and had so entirely changed his
views, that he was now enthusiastically sustaining Lincoln's Emancipa-
tion Proclamation. On the very day of the disarming of the insubordi-
nates, he had halted his command just before it left town, and requested
them to give three cheers for the Union. It was heartily given. " Now
three cheers for the Proclamation of Emancipation," and the response
was three hearty cheers. This man was loyal, with a high loyalty his
murderers could never understand. When the report of his murder
became known in Oregon, no darker hour, dark with horror and appre-
hension, ever rested over its people.
FINANCIAL AND POLITICAL. 55 1
It became so certain that the war must end with the Union saved,
as early as 1864, that the people of Holt soon began to find affairs set-
tling down into the regular order. Population began to come in and
people began to breathe freely. Militia business became at a discount,
and men of great military (militia) genius, disappeared reluctantly from
the public gaze. One of the first evidences that peace was returning,
was the efforts made to establish a newspaper. In June, 1865, (30th day)
appeared the first number of the Holt County Sentinel, under the man-
agement of Charles W. Bowman, a Holt County boy, who had been
connected with the News in old days. A remark in his introduction
will show how matters were : " There is a fine line drawn between radical
union men in Holt, severing them in twain — a line so fine we can not
tell where it begins and where it ends. We ought not to be able to draw
such a line between loyal men, on the question of loyalty. On this
there is one question only— a man is a patriot or a traitor. There is no
neutral ground. If a man wishes to be thought loyal, he will act with
radical Republicans. If he is a rebel outright or a sympathizer, mark
if he does not identify himself with the Conservatives." This latter part
is inconsistent with the former. The iron clad oath, we are told by the
Sentinel, must be taken within sixty days after the 4th of July, 1865, by
all voters, attorneys, bishops, priests, deacons — all officers, trustees,
directors, etc. This oath was such that no one who ever sympathized
could take it. Moreover, it provided for punishing any such that might
take it. An innocent suspect dare not, for he was sure to be indicted.
The constitution and oath were the work of Drake. Nothing but great
public danger could have justified such, an oath. The danger was over
and here it was. It was the law until it might be declared unconstitu-
tional. No hope for the disfranchised until the party in power should
fall in two from its very magnitude. Blank oaths of loyalty were adver-
tised and being sworn was the order of the day. Many farms at this
time were advertised for sale that were owned by men who dare not
return home, or felt it was unsafe to stay here. Land never was so cheap.
The main political question was whether we should grant the ballot to
the negro. On this, the radicals of Holt were almost a unit in its favor.
Over 500 men had left Holt County to enlist under the Union ban-
ner, and about one-half of our citizens had gone into the rebel service,
and the population was quite small. Though the war was ended, yet
our soldiers had not all been discharged. We notice that Governor
Fletcher, of Missouri, at that time threatened to " sternly enforce the
law as to the oaths of preachers and teachers !" So says the Sentinel.
Railroad talk revived and, in September, 1865, it was announced
that Phelps proposed to take the contract to build from Council Bluffs
to St. Joseph. Questions of some political interest in connection there-
with came up later.
552 HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
Rumors were thick as to brigands and robbers, during the fall of
1865 and for a year later. Men banded together and visited those obnox-
ious to them, ordering them to leave the country and robbing them of
such valuables as they could find. Men of southern proclivities, who
had served in Union armies and returned home with honorable dis-
charges, were peculiarly liable to such visitations. Many of them lived
under constant apprehensions, prepared to hide at a moment's notice.
A visit to John C. Hinkle's house, by a band of these cowardly villains,
who began to abuse a quiet, civil man they found there and robbed,
caused Mr. Hinkle to fire upon them from his concealment. Of course
the robbers fled, some of them crying, " Don't shoot — for God's sake ! "
This affair caused great excitement. Good men felt that this condition
of things must end. The Sentinel exclaimed : "No man can be safe.
Shall this county be ruled by thieves ?" An old citizen, Mr. J. D. Perkins,
had visited Holt County to sell some land. He was stopping for a few
days with Mr. Poindexter, at Forest City. He had received a large pay-
ment, and one night was aroused from his sleep by armed men, in his room,
who demanded his money. Not satisfied with what they found they took
him out to hang him in the street, having surrounded the house and thus
imprisoned the occupants. In the darkness and confusion the old man
slipped away from the robbers. Mr. Perkins hastily left next day, after
describing them. " They are well known to be in our midst," the Sen-
tinel said. Such was the general intimidation that nothing was ever
done towards punishing the depredators. It may not be improper to>
state here that, nearly, if not quite, all the ring-leaders in the worst of
these affairs met with disgraceful ends — some with bloody deaths.
In January, 1866, the great question was as to who should be "super-
intendent of registration." Should it be one who would sternly enforce
the oath called "iron clad," and discourage those who were "tainted ?"
The very fact that some men held such a position was enough to deter
the timid from registering their names. On the other hand, if a man
held the place who was not exactly "all right" himself, what a prospect
was this for the weak and feeble opposition to gather strength. This
was the most interesting question to the various counties for no little
time. Captain Edgar H. Allen was proposed very generally, and, soon
after, received the position. At this time there were signs of a split in
the one party that ruled the county. The Sentinel expresses itself as
satisfied with the result of the convention that nominated, unanimously,
Captain Allen for superintendent, but promises to handle some men
without gloves hereafter. At this time Mr. A. M. Swan has arrived in
Holt County, and proposes to stir up old Fogydom, on the questions of
roads, bridges, schools, an academy for Holt County, a soldiers' monu-
ment, a brass band, railroads, sidewalks, a history, general modes of
doing business, weights, measures, wages and some other matters. He
FINANCIAL AND POLITICAL. 553
and Mr. I. C. Buzic, of Mound City, began to move actively in politics.
Prior to this time and just before the end of the war, the Radical man-
agers had laid their plans to hold the soldier vote. The greater majority
of the soldiers had voted the Democratic ticket before the war. How
very easy it would be to have them vote that ticket again, unless means
were taken to prevent it. And it must be confessed that there was not
that bitter animosity in the breasts of soldiers towards the "moderates
and conservatives" that -existed among the civilians. The manner in
which this policy was carried out was long seen in the vote that gave
Holt County the title of "Banner Republican County of Missouri." The
first principle of that policy was "give all the offices to returned soldiers
who have influence with their comrades." By neglect of the same
policy, some counties were, ere long, about equally divided between the
two parties.
The only political excitement in the spring of 1866, was the quarrel
between President Johnson and Congress. A great mass convention
was called for March 24, headed, "Shall Rebels Rule the Nation ? Shall
Freedmen again be at the Rebels' mercy ? Shall traitors and Copper-
heads shake hands in the capitol of our nation over 'the Union as it was
— the Constitution as it is ?' These are the tremenduous questions of
the hour." Meetings were held, and there was much speaking and
resolving against Johnson "for his veto of the Freedman's Bill and
addressing a rebel mob and being applauded by it." Radical Congress
clubs were organized and holding celebrations where Johnson was
denounced as false to the principles of the party that elected him.
Swan, Buzic, Markland, Irvine, I. C. Parker, of St. Joseph, and Mr. Sher-
man of the same place spoke at the meetings and clubs.
Daring robberies were frequent all over the country. Guerrillas in
open day perpetrated their acts of violence and rapine occasionally. It
was then some men learned with what ease and impunity a few can enter
a town and rob the surprised citizens. Some wondered that no one had
as yet originated the art and mystery of robbing railroad trains and
doubtless at this time was planted the seed of what later did result in
systematic train robbery. The stage was robbed one afternoon in the
upper part of the county. Two passengers only were in it, Mr. A. M.
Swan, and a Mr. Clark, of Illinois. A few days previous, Swan, in com-
pany with Mr. William Kaucher, the sheriff, and A. N. Ruley, had been
robbed by these men, in the afternoon, as they were coming to Oregon
in a carriage.
In July, 1866, the Sentinel urges that "the Germans should have
recognition by the radical party. Holt County had been settled thirty-
five years. It would have been settled as many centuries by some people
ere it would have produced a respectable apple or a domestic grape, but
for the Germans." II was declared by some one in its columns that
554 HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
" when natives' assumed the traitor's badge, or occupied neutral ground,
and the few loyal men knew not which way to turn for consolation or for
comfort, and the spies of secession were moving everywhere on the hunt
for true men to spot and destroy them, the sound of the German lan-
guage was always the music of the Union and the brogue of Hans
synonymous with friendship and freedom."
The early part of the campaign of the fall of 1866 was very bitter
between the friends of Parker, and Loan, of St. Joseph, on the congres-
sional question. Finally Parker withdrew and ran for circuit attorney.
The November election resulted in the choice of Loan for congress-
man, Buzic for representative, Captain Allen for circuit clerk, Captain
Roecker for sheriff, Davis for county clerk, Captain Baskins for superin-
tendent of registration and Bonham, of Andrew County, was elected
state senator.
As an evidence of the condition of parties, we give the vote : The
whole vote cast was 807 — Loan received 762 ; Hawley, opposition, got
45. The contest of this election turned mostly the question of bolting
a nomination or two, and there was some bitterness displayed by friends
of the bolting candidates and the others — all confined, however, within
the only party then controlling or manifesting existence.
The first suggestions about building a poor house were made during
the autumn arid winter of 1866 and 1867. The president vetoed the
freedman's bill, and gave parties ground for difference. The radicals of
Holt and the Northwest failed not to use this veto as a lever. Repre-
sentative Buzic, in the House, offered resolutions endorsing the propo-
sition of Congressman Loan, to impeach the president. When party
split rages high, he who rails loudest is most popular in his faction. At
such times, very ordinary men come to the fore. Throughout the land
those who denounced the president most became most conspicuous for a
time. This was the political complexion until after the impeachment
trial, and the blind rage of men subsided.
The railroad was no longer a political question. It was now com-
pleted to Bartlett from Council Bluffs, and the directors had agreed to
finish it to St. Joseph. By February, 1867, it was announced that the
company had forever abandoned all idea of using the old roadbed
because of its worthless construction and the heavy grade of its route.
The bottom route was adopted, because it was almost perfectly level.
The dramshop question was more strongly agitated during the
winter and spring of 1867 than ever before or since. Petitions against
license poured into the county court. Those favorable to license took
the ground that the court could not refuse to license if the party asking
it complied with the requirements of the law in all respects. Those
opposed maintained that the power of the court was absolute, and that
though every voter in the county petitioned for license the court might
FINANCIAL AND POLITICAL. 555
lawfully refuse. The discussion before the court occupied two days.
The decision was averse to the granting of licenses. The case was car-
ried to the supreme court, which affirmed the decision of the county
court, declaring the whole matter as to not granting the license was
entirely within the power of county courts.
The bill to grant state aid to railroads passed the legislature this
session. There was some talk as to the propriety of this among the
people of Holt County, and for the first time they had their attention
directed to the influence of corporations over legislation, and how that
influence over their members zuas obtained. The seed of future agitation
on the Grange subject was planted here.
The alarm from guerillas had by no means subsided, and reports of
terrible outrages were frequent from neighboring counties. A certain
toast drank in the streets of Easton, Missouri, by a robber band, became
proverbial among some classes for a time. It ran thus : " Here is luck
to the man that pulled the trigger that fired the gun that killed the man
who freed the nigger."
Efforts were made to get more aid for railroads. Three hundred
thousand dollars were asked for from the people of Holt and adjoining
counties. St. Joseph granted $210,000 out of thisamount. One speaker,
at a meeting in Holt, said he would ask its people for only $25,000, in
consideration of how much they had lost from the previous grant. Some
one very pertinently asked, through the papers, "If the Platte Country
Railroad Companygot $1,100,000 and expended only $500,000 in build-
ing a worthless roadbed and ran off with the remainder, after going
before us pledged to finish the work, what security have we that Joy &
Co. will do any better ?" By this time, August 9, 1867, the Missouri
River had left Forest City, and the, people were practically without a
landing, so it was very necessary to have a railroad.
The impeachment of the President was the great question of gen-
eral agitation in September, 1867. Stanton had been removed, Grant
had accepted the office against Stanton's protest ; Sheridan had been
removed from the Fifth District and Grant had publicly protested against
that act of the President. People were looking about for candidates for
the next Presidential campaign. The radicals of Holt had as yet no
confidence in Grant. The Sentinel says: ".So far Grant has left us in
doubt as to his position. But we have Chase, Stanton, Colfax and
others, about whom there is no doubt." There was some talk of negro
suffrage at the time. A court of common pleas for Holt was agitated
and arrangements made to get a bill through. But there were so many
aspirants for the position of judge of that still subjective court it
embarrassed the projectors. It was asked, too, by some, whether men
who never even read law were fit for such office ? The matter was
556 HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
finally settled by the bill giving four terms of the Circuit Court to Holt
County instead of two, as heretofore.
The greenback question first loomed up about January, 1868. One
party proposed the payment ot the 5.10 and 10.40 bonds in greenbacks.
The Republicans said they were payable in gold. The Sentinel calls on
the radicals to be up and doing ; reproves them for their apathy. A
great meeting of the party was to come off at Jefferson City, February]
22d. "Drake, that mighty pillar of Republicanism," issued a proclama-
tion to the people. All this was in anticipation of the impeachment
trial and its results. If it succeeded, civil war was almost certain to
follow, for once more party rage and violence was preparing, behind the
forms of law or under pretext of law, to carry matters to extremitiel
Four leading Republicans voted against the impeachment and all was
quiet thenceforth.
The nomination of General Grant was hailed with satisfaction by
the great mass of voters in the county. I. C. Parker was nominated for
Congress, subject to the action of the proper convention, which nomi-j
nated Col. Asper, of Chillicothe, Parker running for Judge.
The first effort to revive the Democratic party in the county, was
made preparatory to this campaign. In July, the Expose began to be
published at Forest City, and announced its " policy to be opposition to
the party whose object is to make the national debt as light as possible
on the bond holding aristocrats." A convention of that party was held^
at Forest City, at which appeared several of the quondam rulers in party,
politics of the ante-bellum days. The Sentinel spoke of it as quite 1
reminder of old times. The Republicans of the state ran McClurg for
governor ; the Democrats ran Phelps, with Norman J. Coleman for lieu-
tenant governor, Oliver, of St. Joseph, for congress. Charles D. Drake
canvassed Northwest Missouri, and visited Holt County.
The vote at the fall election in Holt County showed that Grant
received 1,080; Seymour, 137.
For congress, Asper received 1,020 votes, and Oliver 165. This
vote on congressman was the most reliable test of each party's strength,
for personal popularity drew Democratic votes to Grant, while there was
nothing in the circumstances, or antecedents of Asper and Oliver, t
give either of them more or less than the normal strength of their parties.
Parker was elected circuit judge, Roseberry, of Nodaway County,
state senator, Glenn was elected representative, Asper was chosen foi
congress, and the state gave Grant a very great majority. In this elec
tion the Republican newspapers claim that Holt County showed hers< ;
the banner Republican county of the state, having given over eighty-
seven per cent, of her vote for that party.
Mr. Bowman retiring from the Sentinel, Mr. A. N. Ruley, former
circuit clerk, assumed the control, February 5, 1869. Mr. Ruley had
FINANCIAL AND POLITICAL. 557
held the clerkship from the time the offices had been generally vacated
by an order during the war.
The war spirit died down slowly, though some few seemed desirous
of keeping it up, finding occupation and importance going with it. One
of the last reminders of a time lately passed, was an order published
March 19, 1869, as follows :
" Members of late Company A, Order 107, can get discharges by
calling on the undersigned. Capt. G. W. BASKINS."
The poor house question was sharply revived by the publication of
a statement that a poor woman died of starvation. The folly, improvi-
dence and stupidity of pretending to care for the poor, by a system of
doling out thousands of dollars annually, and then letting the poor
suffer, was so shown up that the court took decisive steps, and soon
erected the present county infirmary.
In July, 1869, Mr. Adam Klippel took charge of the Sentinel, which
he thereafter published for several years. There was a complete calm in
politics until in 1870, the negro and rebel suffrage question began to come
up. Never did any party manage with greater wisdom than did the
Democratic party of Missouri at this time. With all against them, they
waited and watched events. Meeting at Jefferson City, March 18, 1870,
they merely resolved it was inexpedient to nominate. If aid to that
party did not come from the Republicans, its case was hopeless. The
Republican, like old Rome, " labored with its own bigness." The suffrage
question was still agitated. "Would it do to give it to the black and
withhold it from white men, by continuing the iron-clad oath and stern
registration ?" Every man of the dominant party felt that a large
number of men, who were in all respects the very best citizens, were
kept from the polls. Every man could point to individual instances and
say it is a sha<me that such and such men have to stand back like former
slaves. The sympathy was great and growing, but one false step by
office seeking Democrats, might ruin all.
The Democrats, except in here and there a county, were not going
to take that step. So when the Republican Convention met at Jefferson
City, September, 1870, after a stormy session of three days, it divided.
One faction said the time had come when the people should vote on the
question. The other faction was willing that the question should be put
to the people whether the time had really come. Two tickets were in
the field. The Republicans of Holt. County were for the McClurg, or
more radical faction. Parker was nominated for Congress by just one
vote, over Asper, who had served but one term. The Sentinel warned
the Republicans that they were confronted by a strong opposing minor-
ity. Carl Schurz visited Holt County, canvassing for the Liberals, or
B. Gratz Brown men. At first it was rumored that Col. Asper would
558 HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
bolt also. The Expose, of Forest City, which had been purchased by
the Bowman Brothers and changed to the Independent, was the organ of
the Independents. D. P. Ballard, who was the regular nominee of the
Republicans for representative, had lately taken charge of it, and most
unaccountably bolted his own ticket and certain success, and turned in
to denouncing his whilom confreres ; an anomaly in politics. The
county committee, in vie,w of the short time, merely recommended that
Capt. Robinson, of Forest City, be voted for as the regular nominee. A
few men ran as Independents. At the election the entire radical Repub-
lican ticket for the county was victorious, with the exception of Horace
Cooper, for probate judge, who was defeated by R. H. Russel, Demo-
crat. McClurg, for governor, got 413 majority over Brown. For supreme
judge, Wagner got 1,222 votes; there being no opposition, this vote
shows the strength of the county. Parker was elected to Congress;]
Kelly was chosen judge ; Robinson representative by 473 majority. In
the State, however, the Liberals triumphed by a very great majority,
and thus ended the rule of the undivided Republican party in Missouri.
At Oregon there was held a jollification over the results in the
county and district, while at Forest City there was a similar demonstra-
tion for the liberal success in the state. The constitutional amendments
were also adopted by a great majority, and freedom, with equal rights,
for the first time ruled the state.
In April, 1871, we hear the first public complaints of the railroads,
that soon culminated in the Granger movements. In June Valandigham
proclaimed the New Departure of the Democratic party. Efforts were,
at this time, made to unite the Republican party once more. In Holt
County that effort was powerfully aided by the call to reorganize the
Democratic party once more and the convention at Forest City. The
attendance was represented, by the Sentinel, as quite large and enthu-
siastic- The most prominent actors in it were Messrs. -Russel, Scott,
Levi Zook, Dr. Johnson of Craig, J. W. Stokes, Harry A. Buel of the
Arago Press, J. W. Collins and others.
There was a special election for circuit judge and attorney, at which
Kelley, for judge, received 814 votes and Collins, his Democratic
opponent, 656 votes, and Dungan, Republican, for circuit attorney,
received 905, and Byrd 435 votes. This election, as a trial of strength
between the two parties in the county, under the new state of things,
was most interesting. The vote for judge showed the full strength of
each party, under tremendous efforts.
We have now given an impartial account of the political affairs of
Holt County, in connection with those of the state and nation, as well as
those confined strictly to the county itself, in as brief a manner as we '
were able. We have seen it first under control, absolutely, of one party
•^-have seen that party divide — one wing rushing into sectional and civil
FINANCIAL AND POLITICAL. 559
war. Then we have seen it under a half civil, half military rule, finally-
emerging out under control, as absolute, of a party whose very existence
was at one time not tolerated by its citizens. We have witnessed the
long triumph and rule of that party, till finally, in the very nature of
things, it must fall apart — one faction to rule the state, the other, and
more radical, to still hold the reigns of power in Holt County, though
ruined in the state. We have witnessed the first faint attempts of an
opposition party at forming within the county, and have seen how, on a
well contested field, out of 1,470 votes cast, it received 656 of them, a
result that every generous, intelligent mind should rejoice over. For,
if the past twenty-five years have taught us anything, it is the danger to
our free institutions of the absolute rule of one party, for virtue and truth
still flee, as of old, from all places where power is unquestioned.
Since that memorable day of the meeting^in the court house park>
when an excited mob of secessionists made men of order and peace
tremble not only for themselves, but for all that was held most dear and
sacred — since that time, two-thirds of all the people then living, have
gone to the land of shadows ; boys then sporting thoughtlessly, have
become middle aged men — lisping babes are active voters. The whole
destiny of the country is now in the hands of those who then were
infants. As to the Southern States, of over one million and one hundred
and twenty-four thousand men, whom that day saw in proud and vigorous
life, ready and determined to battle for their cause, ere four years had
passed away, over six hundred and sixty thousand had been killed or
disabled ; more by many thousands than all their men between the ages
of eighteen and forty-five years ! " Half a generation of men dead or
disabled!" Such were the reflections of men in the days of 1865.
Since that year, in due course of nature, half of all the people then living
have died, and in those Southern States all the slaves have been made
free, and all their adult men advanced to the dignity of equal voters.
Surely the day has come long since for us to forget that such wild times
ever have been, and to look with contempt upon those who would try to
perpetuate in fresh bosoms the seeds of ancient, sectional hatred between
North and South.
The election that followed, when Grant and Greeley ran as candi-
dates for President, showed that Holt County could cast 2,248 votes, out
of which she gave Grant 557 majority, and to Parker, for congress, 434
majority.
To bring the political history of Holt County down to a day later
than 1871, is not desirable. We reserve that for our successor irj the
next generation. Some changes were made in the congressional district,
by which the Democratic party secured the congressman for the two
terms succeeding Judge Parker's, Mr. David Rea, of Andrew County,
being elected. Holt County, though still giving a Republican majority,
560 HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
her vote for that party is not so great as it was, and in some instances
she has selected Democrats for important county offices, within late
years. During the last two elections for congressmen she cast her vote
for Mr. Nicholas Ford, the Greenback candidate. This was done by a
coalescence between the Republicans and Greenbackers, which was
made, not only in the county, but in the district, and succeeded in elect-
ing Mr. Ford, the present congressman, both times. But the county
gave a majority at every presidential election for the Republican candi-
dates for the office of President.
CHAPTER XXIV.
OFFICIAL DIRECTORY.
The office of circuit judge was first, as above stated, filled by the
appointment, in 1841, of General David R. Atchison, who served till
1843. The other judges, in succession, have been : Henderson Young,
from 1843 to 1846; Solomon L. Leonard, 1846 to 185 1 ; William B.
Almond, 185 1 to 1852 ; Elijah H. Norton, 1852 to i860; Silas Woodson,
i860 to 1864 ; William Heren, 1864 to 1869; Isaac C. Parker, 1869 to
1871 ; Bennett Pike, 1871 to 1872 ; Henry S. Kelley, 1872 to 1874 ; Henry
S. Kelley, 1874 to 1880.
The following have filled the office of circuit clerk : Andrew S.
Hughes, from March, 1841, to June, 1841 ; Bayless B. Grigsby, from
June, 1841, to 1846 ; John Collins, 1846 to 1853 '■> E. VanBuskirk, 1853 to
1865 ; A. N. Ruley (appointed), 1865 to 1866 ; E. L. Allen, 1866 to 1874 ;
William A. Gardner, 1874 to 1878 ; W. R. Springer, 1878. Mr. Springer
is the present incumbent.
William F. Taylor, the first to fill the office of recorder of Holt
County, was elected to that position in 1874. Mr. Soper, on the resig-
nation of Taylor, in 1878, was appointed to the position, which he con-
tinued to hold till the election of his successor, Daniel Zachman, in 1878.
He entered upon the duties of his office January 1, 1879, an^ is now
(1882) the recorder.
The following composed the county courts of Holt County from the
first organization of the same, in March, 1841 :
From March, 1841, to September, [841, Harmon G. Noland, Joshua
Adkins and James Crowley.
From September, 1841, to September, 1842, Harmon G. Noland,
James Crowley and James Kimsey.
From September, 1842, to July, 1845, John W. Kelley, John Stewart
and James Kimsey.
From July, 1845, to October, 1845, John W. Kelley, James Kimsey
and Samuel Watson.
From October, 1845, to October, 1850, Samuel Watson, T. V.
Dickey and John Gibson.
From October, 1850, to February, 1854, Samuel Watson, John Gib-
son and John Dozier.
562 HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
From February, 1854, to May, 1854, John Dozier and John Gibson.
From May, 1854, to November, 1854, John Dozier, Samuel R. Canon
and Michael Byrd.
From November, 1854, to June, i860, Samuel R. Canon, William L.
Gordon and John F. Williams.
From June, i860, to March, 1862, John F. Williams, B. B.- Frazer
and J. P. Harris.
From March, 1862, to May, 1862, John F. Williams, J. P. Harris and
R. H. Russel.
From May, 1862, to February, 1863, R. H. Russel, Andrew Meyer
and I. H. Iddings.
From February, 1863, to March, 1865, R. H. Russel, I. H. Iddings
and Harvey L. Willians.
From March, 1865, to May, 1865, R. H. Russel, George Blair and
Harvey L. Williams.
From May, 1865, to December, 1866, A. J. Evans, George Mcln-
tyre and Samuel Thompson.
From December, 1866, to December, 1870, George Mclntyre, Solo-
mon Lehmer and George P. Skeels.
From December, 1870, to December, 1872, Solomon Lehmer, George
P. Skeels and Richard Collison.
From December, 1872, to December, 1874, George P. Skeels, Rich-
ard Collison and George Anderson.
From December, 1874 to December, 1878, Richard Collison, George
Anderson and Daniel VanWormer.
From December, 1878, to December, 1880, Thomas W. McCoy, W.
H. Poynter and Henry Bungenstock.
December, 1880, Bruce Earl, Daniel Hiatt and James R. Bradford.
Up to the date of John Collins' term (1853), the circuit clerk filled
the offices of county clerk and recorder.
The first election for county clerk occurred in 1852. Their names
and terms of office were as follows : Alfred B. Mullins, from 1853 to
1856 ; James Scott, from 1856 to 1865 ; Warren B. Davis, from 1865 to
1870 ; Albert Roecker, from 1870 to 1875 ; John H. C. Curtis, from 1875,
present clerk.
The following have been sheriffs of Holt County during the periods-
annexed to their names : Richard M. Barkhurst from 1841 to 1842 ;
Robert H. Russel, from 1842 to 1846; Frank M. Polluck, from 1846 to
1850; William D. Beeler, from 1850 to 1854; John L. Dozier, from 1854
to 1856; Galen Crow, from 1856 to i860; Robert G. Emmerson from
i860 to 1862 ; William Kaucher, from 1862 to 1866; Albert Roecker,
from 1866 to 1870 ; Moses M. Smith, from 1870 to 1872 ; William G.
Mclntyre, from 1872 to 1874; Stephen F. Lucas, from 1874 to 1878;
Wm H. Frame, trom 1878 to 1880; William H. Frame, re-elected 1880.
OFFICIAL DIRECTORY. 563
COLLECTORS.
Up to the year 1872, the sheriff of the county was ex-officio collector.
The first elected to the latter office on its separation, was Moses M.
Smith, who served from 1872 to 1874 ; succeeded by William G. Mclntyre,
from 1874 to 1876 ; Samuel Morrison, from 1876 to 1878 ; Fre:l. Meyer,
from 1878 to 1880 ; Samuel Morrison, from 1880.
PROBATE JUDGE.
By an act passed by the Legislature during the session of 1868-69,
the office of probate judge was created in and for Holt County. At the
fall election of 1869, R. H. Russel was elected to the position, and entered
upon his duties, January, 1870. Notwithstanding the fact that Holt
County is largely Republican, he has been continuously, though a Dem-
ocrat, re-elected to the office which he still (1882) continues to hold.
SCHOOL COMMISSIONER.
The duties of this office were, at first, performed by the circuit clerk„
and after the creation of the office of county clerk, by the latter officer.
Since 1865, when it was made a separate office, the position has
been filled as follows : Edgar L Allen, from 1865 to 1866 ; Stephen
Blanchard, from 1866 to 1870 ; Frank Gordon, from 1870 to 1872 ; Eras-
tus Eyerly, from 1872 to 1875 ; Edward Anibal.from 1877 to 1879; John
Anderson, from 1879 to 1881. John Anderson re-elected, 1881.
COUNTY SURVEYORS.
The first county surveyor, appointed by the county court, was David
Templeton, in 1841. In 1842 he was elected to the same office, which
he filled till 1846, when he was succeeded by S. C. Collins, who held the
office, by continuous re-election, for twenty years, at the end of which
period he positively declined the position, for the duties of which he
had so long proved himself eminently fitted. In 1866 Franklin Davis
was elected his successor. He, however, died in office, and Jason Mar-
shall was appointed his successor. William McCoy, in turn, succeeded
him, followed by William Morris, who was re-elected in 1880.
COUNTY TREASURER.
Gilbert Ray was the first to hold the office of treasurer of Holt
County. He was appointed at the September term of the county court,
in 1841.
Circuit Attorneys — I. N. Jones, 1846 ; L. Archer, 1849 5 James
Craig, 1852 ; J. M. Bassett, 1857 ; Joseph P. Grubb, 1862 ; I. C. Parker,
564
HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
1864; Jeff. Chandler, 1866, and B. K. Davis, 1868. The office of circuit
attorney was abolished before the term of B. K. Davis expired.
Representatives — R. M. Barkhurst, Stephen Cooper, James Craig,
James Foster, A. J. Hollister, Samuel Waton, John W. Kelley, Galen
Crow, Ira Busick, John H. Glenn, H. K. S. Robinson, S. R. Young, R.
D. Markland, B. O. Cowan, John Shrantz and James Limbird, present
incumbent.
Senators — Ed. Celly ; Gen. R. A. Wilson, ; William Herron,
1862 ; P. A. Thompson, 1864 ; D. Bonham, 1866 ; M. G. Roseberry, 1868;
A. E. Wyatt, 1872 ; Thomas H. Parrish, 1876, and T. C. Dungan, 1880-
CHAPTER XXV.
GOLD SEEKERS OF 1849.
''The plague of gold strikes far and near —
And deep and strong it enters;
Our thoughts;; row blank, our words grow strange
We cheer the pale gold diggers ;
Each soul is worth so much on 'change,
And marked like sheep with figures."
No doubt, the desire for gold has been the mainspring of all progress
and enterprise in the county, from the beginning till the present time,
and will so continue till remote ages. Generally, however, this desire
has been manifested in the usual avenues of thrift and industry. On
one occasion, it passed the bounds of reason, and assumed the character
of a mania.
This mania broke out in the fall of 1848, when stories began to
be spread abroad of the wonderful riches of the placer mines of Cali-
fornia. The excitement grew daily, feeding on the marvelous reports
that came from the Pacific slope, and nothing was talked of but the
achievements of the gold diggers. The papers were replete with the
most extravagant stories, and yet the excitement was so great, that the
gravest and most incredulous men were smitten with the contagion, and
hurriedly left their homes and all that was dear to them on earth, to try
the dangers, difficulties and uncertainties of hunting gold.
In the St. Joseph Gazette, of October 27, 1848, the only newspaper
published at that early period in this section, we find the following :
"An immense bed of gold, one hundred miles in extent, has been dis-
covered in California, on American Fork and Feather Rivers, tributaries
of the Sacramento and Monterey. Mr. Colton, of the Alcalde of Mon-
terey, states that the gold is found in the sands in grains resembling
squirrel shot flattened out. Some grains weigh one ounce each. It is
obtained by washing out the sand in any vessel from a tea-saucer to a
warming-pan. A single person can gather an ounce or two per day,
some even a hundred dollars worth. Two thousand whites and as many
Indians are on the grounds. All the American settlements are deserted,
and farming nearly suspended. The women only remain in the settle-
ments. Sailors and captains desert their ships to go to the gold regions,
and laborers refuse ten dollars a day to work on the farms. Mr. Colton
566
HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
says : One man who resides next door to me, gathered five hundred
dollars' worth in six days. He has one lump which weighs over one
ounce. A trough, such as you feed pigs in, will bring in the gold
regions, fifty dollars. Put a piece of sheet iron, with holes punched in it,
and it will bring a hundred. My friend, J. R., paid sixteen dollars for a
little basket, and his companion gave twenty dollars for a teapot, all to
wash gold in. More than twenty-eight thousand dollars worth had been
collected. Governor Mason and his aid have gone to the district, which
is five days' journey from Monterey.
The sailors have gone for gold from their ships, and the soldiers from
their camps, for the same purpose. The last vessel that left the coast
was compelled to ship an entirely new crew, and pay each fifty dollars
per month. No one can be hired to dig gold short of sixteen or twenty
dollars per day. Every man prefers to work on his own hook ; he may
make less than the wages offered, but he has a chance of making much
more. There flour is worth thirty-two dollars per barrel; fifteen pounds
of Boston crackers, in tin boxes, ten dollars a box ; a cotton shirt, ten
dollars ; boards, five hundred dollars per one hundred feet. A carpenter
can get one hundred dollars a day. Mr. L. paid for a common cradle
trough, twelve feet, by three wide, to wash gold earth in, one hundred
and fifty dollars ; less than a day's work to make it."
Day after day, and month after month, were the papers filled with
just such glowing accounts of California.
Instead of dying out, the fever mounted higher and higher. It was
too late to cross the plains, but thousands of people throughout the state
began their preparations for starting the following spring, and among
the number were many from Holt County. The one great subject of
discussion about the firesides and in the log cabins that winter, was the
gold of California. It is said that at one time, the majority of the able-
bodied men of the county, were unsettled in mind, and were considering
the project of starting to California. Even the most thoughtful and
sober-minded found it difficult to resist the infection.
Wonderful sights were seen when this great emigration passed
through — sights that may never be again seen in the county, perhaps.
Some of the wagons were drawn by cows ; other gold hunters went on
foot, and took their worldly goods in hand carts. The gold hunters
generally left the moralities of life behind them, and were infested with
a spirit of disorder and demoralization. The settlers breathed easier
when they passed.
Early in the spring of 1849 tne rush began. It must have been a
scene to beggar all description. There was one continuous line of
wagons from east to west, as far as the eye could reach, moving steadily
westward, and, like a cyclone, drawing into its course, on the right and
left, many of those along its pathway. The gold hunters of Holt County
GOLD SEEKERS. 567
crowded eagerly into the gaps in the wagon trains, bidding farewell to
their nearest and dearest friends, and many of them never to be seen
again on earth. Sadder farewells were never spoken. Many of these
men left their quiet, peaceful homes, only to find in the " Far West"
utter disappointment and death. Very, very few of them ever gained
anything, and the great majority lost everything, some of them losing
even their lives, " their fortunes and sacred honor." The persons who
really made by the gold excitement were those who remained at home
and sold their produce to the gold-crazy emigrants. The rush continued
until about the first of June, 1850, when the great, surging tide began to
abate, although belated gold seekers continued to pass through the
country for some time. But the excitement began to die away, and
those citizens who had judgment enough to resist the contagion, now
settled down in quiet to pursue the even tenor of their way.
EMIGRANTS FROM HOLT COUNTY.
A company, composed of seventy-five men, left the town of Oregon,
Holt County, about May 1, 1849, destined for the gold regions of Cali-
fornia. This company was well armed and well equipped, having in its
train twenty-five loaded wagons, drawn by good and well trained teams.
Below we give the names of about half of this company: Gen. James
Craig, Judge R. H. Russel, Chillian Jasper, Newton Jasper, George
Brown, David Elder, Ab. Taylor, Dr. Westerfield, William Pinkston,
William Thorp, Riley Thorp, Thomas Martin, James Martin, Ezra Mar-
tin, Frank Martin, Harry Martin (colored), George Myers, Andrew
Myers, Mott Myers, John Utt, Andrew Bonyer, C. Dorland, Jack Roland
and wife, Richard Wedding, E. Spalding, John Spalding, Old Man Con-
ner and family, Richard Hawk and family, R. M. Barkhurst, Wash. Nor-
man, Milton Russel, George Mclntyre, John Masters, John Green, Will-
iam Clark, — McCloud, — McDill and John Blair.
Crossing at Iowa Point, the company went to Highland, Kansas,
then known as the Mission, where an organization was effected, by the
election of James Craig, captain, and R. H. Russel, lieutenant. After
reaching the North Platte, Captain Craig resigned, and Doctor Wester-
field was chosen to fill his place. The company proceeded very leisurely,
arriving at Sacramento in the month of October, 1849. At Humboldt,
the route known as " Green Horn's Cut Off," was taken, which delayed
the company for two or three weeks. The men were persuaded to go
this route, from numbers of cards which had been posted up by the way-
side, setting forth good roads and a shorter way. This had been done
by men who had been deceived, and being so taken in themselves, they
left these cards, intending to mislead others, which they most effectually
did, in this instance at least.
568 HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
Judge Utt, now of White Cloud, Kansas, had in the train two bar-
rels of brandy, which was then worth twenty-five cents a drink. One of
the company relates the following incident :
" One day on the plains, fifty men of the company were chosen to
run a foot race — the distance, fifty yards — all to start from a certain point
at the same time, and the four hindermost to treat the balance of the
men in the race to Judge Utt's brandy. There was much anxiety and
trepidation manifested by the men, as the amount required to pay for
the brandy, at twenty-five cents per drink, would be a considerable sum.
The race was run, and among the four defeated men was General Craig,
who being a smaller and shorter man than almost any in the company,
naturally fell to the rear.
While a few of the* Holt County company made money in California,
a great majority were compelled to borrow funds enough to return home
on. In this respect, the company fared about like other emigrants who
went to the gold regions.
Thousands of these men from the east, as well as many from Mis-
souri, crossed at St. Joseph, White Cloud and other points on the Mis-
souri River, while not a few crossed at Nebraska City. The Missouri
was crossed in ferry boats, but all other streams on the route, were
forded or swam.
CALIFORNIA ENTERPRISE COMPANY,
composed of several hundred men, came from Pittsburg, Pennsylvania.
The departure of so many men, at one time from their homes, on a civil
expedition to the distant gold fields, was quite an event, and it often
happened that the friends and neighbors of those who were to embark,
met en masse to express their regrets and good wishes in a public
address. We present a portion of a speech of Colonel S. W. Black, of
Pittsburg, made to the above named company, on the eve of their depart-
ure from that city, to show the pleasant custom which obtained in those
days :
My Friends : I have but a few words to say at partiog. What I
do say will come from the heart. I trust that whatever of good and
truth I may deliver, may reach your hearts. Before your return, you
will have seen no little of the world ; what you see will be so much
learned, beyond what you now know. Hence, at the very outgoing of
your enterprise, you have a good object in view. Some persons com-
plain of these expeditions as being sordid and unworthy ; to go and dig
for gold, they say, is not meritorious, but culpable. I for one, do not
think so. All the world is a gold digger — rather, indeed, a gold scratcher
— and it often happens, that in scratching too greedily, we bring away
the skin of each other's faces — betimes the flesh of one another's bones.
" The farmer in the field, the mechanic in the shop, the merchant in
his store, and the lawyer in his pursuit, choose their daily business for
gold. Even the preacher does, not work unpaid. This is all right and
GOLD SEEKERS, 569
according to the purpose of our creation. Our Father has planted gold
in the earth for the benefit of His children. To make it by merit, is
noble and worthy of praise. To accumulate it with proper motives is
meritorious. To lose it is mean and condemned of God.
" You are starting upon a long and perilous journey. Allow me,
then, to make a few suggestions, which may not in the end be worth-
less. You leave without a flag. Make a banner for yourselves and
cling to it. Inscribe upon its folds Fraternity and Friendship. Let
the same devotions inspire you that actuates the soldier for the stand-
ard of his country. In all things be one. A perfect unity of interest
and affection will make you invincible and prosperous. Organize your-
selves into companies, elect judicious and skillful officers, men of intel-
ligence and nerve. When you give them the power of direction, always-
sustain them in its lawful exercise. Discipline is essential to your safety
and success. Each day start early on your marches ; you will then
escape the injurious effect of exposure to the sun, and find yourselves
early in camp. It is probable you will encounter danger. To success-
fully meet it you must be accustomed to act together. Americans
vanquished Mexicans and Indians by a union of discipline, with courage.
" I know that your messes have ardent spirits among their stores.
These may be useful, or pernicious, in proportion to the judgment with
which they are used. In the life in which you are acting you will find
occasional necessity for the use of stimilants. They are serviceable only
when the system is prostrated by disease or exposure.
" A kind hearted friend has just requested me to say if there are any
of the expedition without Bibles he will be happy to furnish them. It
does not become me, perhaps, to speak of a subject so grave and seri-
ous, yet I can say that this " Book of Books" is the best companion you
can take with you ; it is a never failing reliance.
"In the center of our city, or around the circle of our continent;,
among the busy scenes of active liie, or on the prairie, where the pil-
grim sees no mark but the footprints of wild beasts or the savages, it is
a perpetual adaptation to every exigency of man's career.
" To-day I saw in a paper the declaration of one of you, that in all
his wanderings he would carry the Bible in the bottom of his trunk. Let
me suggest an improvement. Deposit it on the top, that every time the
trunk is opened it may remind you that you have not looked into it that
day for wisdom and counsel. You are surrounded by a thousand anx-
ious, beating hearts, every one of which swell with aspiration for your
success and safe return. The general prayer is and will be ' that no evil
will befall you, nor any plague come near your dwelling.' Come back
enriched, and make your riches a blessing to the destitute at home. The
hour of grief hangs heavy in the hearts of many. Let them have no-
other cause of sorrow than this separation. Your in-coming will be a
day of bright and thrilling joy. The tear that stands still in the eye,
or follows its fellows across the feverish and scalded cheek, will be
replaced with diamonds. The red autumn of present sadness will pass
away, and in due season the glorious summer will succeed, bringing its
golden harvest.".
Many letters were received from the gold seekers residing in the
Platte Purchase, after their arrival in California, From some of these
letters, we have made the following extracts :
57° HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
" I have concluded to write you and let you know that all are well
who started in the pack-mule company, up to date. We arrived in this
country on the first of October ; had many ups and downs on the road,
but lost none of our stock by the Indians. And now, a little about Cal-
ifornia, and the prospect for making money. Lewis, Love and myself,
bought a small grocery in Sacramento City, for which we paid $1,800 —
on a short credit — three weeks' time. We kept it a short time, made
$250 each, and sold it out. Brother David went to the mines, and uptc
this time has made $1,600. I went and worked eight days ; the spot of
ground I had was about large enough to lie down on. The first day I
made $200 ; the second day, $220, and in eight days, $900. The St.
Joseph boys are doing well ; the most of them are making from half an
ounce to three ounces per day. David and myself will go into the cattle
trade, or sell groceries. We can buy cattle from $30 to $50 per yoke ;
fat cattle are worth from $75 to $150, and in the mines, 75 cents per
pound. There are great numbers of Spanish cattle here, but they are
hard to drive in the mines, it requiring six or eight Spaniards to drive a
small herd of twenty, and that at a cost of one ounce per day.
" There is an abundance of provisions here. If you had the potatoes
alone in California, which will be sold in a town like St. Joseph to-day,
you might rest contented the balance of your days. I have been up
Sacramento River one hundred miles, and up Feather River fifty miles,
and I have seen but a few spots of land worth cultivating. I have seen
a great many of our old friends from Upper Missouri, the most of whom
are rich and doing well. I saw Charley Cavaloe and Nigh ; they are
both rich. While many men who crossed the plains this summer are
making money, others are here, who are not making their salt, and are
very much dissatisfied and going home every day. The gold here is
very hard to get, and if a person makes a fortune by gold-digging, he
must expect to endure a great deal of fatigue. Men with families are
making fortunes by washing and boarding. Girls are in great demand
here ; all they have to do is to name their price, and a husband is at
their command immediately."
Another extract : " I arrived here from the mines on Bear River,
about a week since. D. D. Williams is going into business in the dry
diggings, about sixty miles from this place. ' Old man Williams ' and
myself are going two hundred miles up the Sacramento River to mine.
We are all partners, and carry on merchandising, mining or trading. We
have made about $2,000 in cash, since we came, which we have invested,
and will make thousands or lose. Samuel Love, Ryan and Andrews are
here, and have done well. Any person who will work can make money.
You recollect Cornwall, that stayed at Dawson's. He is here, and is
worth, I suppose, a quarter of a million. Stratton was burned on a pile
or stake by the Indians, a short time since. William Nicholson died
night before last."
The following extract is from a letter dated at Coloma, September
15, 1849:
" I have lived here about one year ; have been engaged in the mines
since last spring, and, by being prudent and industrious, have realized
something for my trouble. I cannot say when I will return ; perhaps in
two or three years — perhaps never — although I will come as soon as I
GOLD SEEKERS. 571
can to see my mother and prevent her from crossing the Rock Mount-
ains, for I think such a trip dangerous and unnecessary. I would advise
my friends and relatives to remain where they are."
CALIFORNIA EMIGRANT SONG.
" Farewell, farewell, my native land,
I leave thee only with a sigh,
To wander o'er a foreign strand,
Perchance to live ; perchance to die.
Adieu, my friends, whom kindred ties
Unite, though distant we may rove.
How ardent, as time onward flies,
Fond memory clings to those we love
" Ihe few admired, the one beloved,
Among the living and the dead,
Whose constancy we sternly proved ;
Ah! whither are those dear ones fled?
Some have we left at happy homes,
While some, alas! exist.no more, .
And o'er their graves unheeding roams
Each breeze that sweeps Miami's shore.
•" O'er the broad plains, far away,
Beyond the Rocky Mountain crest,
Our wayward feet awhile shall stray,
And press the gold besprinkled west.
But mid the gaudy scenes of strife,
Where Gold to Pride enchantment lends,
We'll ne'er forget that boon of life —
Companions dear and faithful friends.
*' And in the lapse of coming years,
Should fortune be not too unkind,
We'll hope reward tor parting tears,
In smiles from those we left behind
We go; yet hoping to return,
Friends of our youth, to home and you;
For these do cause our hearts to yearn,
E'en when we sigh adieu — adieu."
In order to give some estimate of the number of emigrants that
passed through this western country during the California gold excite-,
ment, we will give the number that crossed the river at St. Joseph to
June 15, 1849, two months and a. half, beginning from April 1st:
The number of wagons that had crossed at St. Joseph at that time,
was 1,508, which would average about four men to the wagon, making
6,032. At Duncan's Ferry, four miles above St. Joseph, 685 wagons had
crossed, and at Bontown, Savannah, White Cloud, Iowa Point and other
ferries, as far up as the Bluffs, 2,000, making the number of wagons
4,193. Ten thousand persons had crossed at Independence, making a
total of 27,000 persons. There were about eight mules or oxen to each
wagon, making the number 37,544 of mules and oxen.
572
HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
At the time of the treaty of Gaudaloupe Hidalgo, the population of
California did not exceed thirty thousand, while at the time of which we
are writing (1849), there were more than one hundred and fifty thousand
people who had found their way thither, of which number, at least one
hundred thousand were gold hunters from the states. The evil effects
of this gold mania upon the moral status of the United States, are still
seen and felt among all classes of society. It has popularized the wor-
ship of Mammon to an alarming extent, and to this worship, in a great
measure, is attributed the moral declension of the day.
CHAPTER XXVI.
REMINISCENCES OF AN OLD PIONEER.
STEPHEN C. COLLINS.
The following was prepared by one of the oldest and most respected
pioneers of.Holt County, who is still living, and now resides in the town
of Oregon :
During September, 1841, I left the State of Indiana, passed through
Illinois, part of Iowa, and came to Andrew County, Missouri, where I
remained about three weeks. When coming to Andrew County, I passed
the cabin of Joseph Robidoux, which then occupied the spot where the
city of St. Joseph now stands.
fThe first time I was in Holt. County, was in October, 1841, in com-
pany with three other persons. We were here on a hunting expedition
and to look at the country. We crossed the Nodaway River, where
Hollister's Mill was afterwards built. We (a young man and myself) had
a little corn bread and some meat, a meal or so, but no blankets or over-
coats. I had a gun, a tomahawk and a large knife which I carried in my
belt. John had a gun. We started in a northwesterly direction through
the Nodaway bluffs, towards Nickol's Grove, and when passing through
the grove, we heard a rumbling, as if machinery was in motion. Upon
our arrival at the spot, we saw a small grist mill, run by a small pair of
burrs, and turned by the waters of Nickol's Creek. Here we saw Robert
Nickol, the proprietor of the jnill. We continued our course until we
reached the Ellington Ferry road, leading to Council Bluffs. Here we
paused upon the high bluffs which overlook the Missouri River, and
viewed the beautiful landscape which was then spread out before us, as
it came from the hand of nature. After descending into the Great Bot-
tom, we were within three miles (southeast) of the present site of Mound
City. Continuing our course, we passed a double log house on the south
side of Davis Creek, where a man by the name of Ferguson lived. This
was near a point afterwards called North Point, and still later, Jackson's
Point. After proceeding a short distance further, up a small branch, we
camped for the night near the cabin where old man Dodge lived.
We started early next morning, still following the Council Bluffs
road, under the bluffs. We stopped a few moments at a spring, where
574 HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
we found a woman washing. Her name was Nancy McCoy, and was
the first woman we had seen in Holt County. About one o'clock P.
M. we passed through the southwest part of Sharp's Grove. Adam and
Claiborne Sharp settled therein June, 1841. We left the higher ground
at this point and descended again into the Missouri bottom. We soon
reached Daniel Durbins, at the crossing of the Big Tarkio. Here was
being built a ferry boat. Two yoke of oxen were chained to a tree
and were used in pulling emigrant wagons over the Tarkio, which was
a muddy creek. I went into a log cabin, very low roofed, with chim-
ney constructed of sod, or sticks and mud, and spoke for dinner. After
we had eaten we went out to get directions about going into the great
Rush Bottom, fifteen miles south, and on the west side of the Tarkio.
Mr. Durbin said that three men, with forty head of cattle and one wagon,.
had crossed that morning and had gone south, through the high grass,.
to the Rush Bottom, on the Big Lake, or Tarkio Slough, and we could
follow their wagon track.
We crossed in a canoe and about dusk we neared the Big Tarkio,
where we found high weeds, vines and grass. Here I began to make a
fire, with steel and flint, powder and tow. John asked me what I was
doing ? I told him we would camp here for the night, when he asked me
if I was not afraid ? I answered that we could not "do any better and that
we could not follow a wagon track in the night. Just at this time our
ears were saluted with the howling of prairie wolves near by. John
moved nearer to me, with dilating eyes, and gazed upon the setting sunr
in a wistful, longing manner, as though he dreaded the darkness, which,
would so soon gather around us. Mr. Durbin had told John, while we
were at dinner, that there were white bear and other dangerous animals
on the Big Tarkio, hence his present trepidation. I did what I could to
convince him that these stories were untrue, and think I succeeded as I
heard nothing more from him upon the subject.
We had neither supper nor breakfast and started next morning, fol-
lowing the wagon track. Some time during the forenoon, we came in
sight of the covered wagon, and thought that we would soon have some-
thing to eat. We neared the camp and saw a large bull dog walking
around the wagon and no man in sight. We passed on to the right of
the wagon and went up the shore of the lake, where we found some black
pawpaws hanging on the bushes. On these we made two or three meals.
About sundown, we were startled by the sharp report of a gun, on the
bank of the lake, and walking in this direction, we saw a white man who
had killed a loon. He asked me if I were a good hand with a canoe,
and upon my answering him in the affirmative, he desired me to bring
the loon out of the lake, as he said he did not know how to work the
canoe himself. I laid my weapons off, and he showed me a very small
Indian canoe in the willows. I got into, one end of it and pushed loose,.
REMINISCENCES OF AN OLD PIONEER. 5/5
and as soon as I did this the canoe turned over, dropping me into the
water. I got into the canoe again, this time about midway of the craft,
and succeeded in bringing the waterfowl to the shore. We then accom-
panied the man to his camp, and soon after our arrival there, the other
two men came in. They had been looking for a site upon which to build
a cabin. They were brothers. We told them that we came to look at
the Missouri bottom, and that we would like to stay at their fire over
night, and get something to eat, to which they kindly assented. That
night, Abraham Sharp and Presley Hayes, from Sharp's Grove, came to
the camp, looking for their cattle. The three brothers were named Hig-
gins. That night the geese, cranes, swans, loons, ducks and owls, made
so much noise that we scarcely slept. There appeared to be millions of
them. We found a place to build a cabin. That night while in camp,
the eldest of the brothers told me if I would come back* after returning
from Andrew County, he and his brothers would build me a cabin. We
remained and assisted them to raise their cabins and then returned to
Andrew County, going by the way of where Bigelow and Mound City
are now standing. We crossed the Big Tarkio, two miles east, below
Dodge's shanty. Some one had cut and filled a large Cottonwood tree
across the creek, which was used for crossing. When we arrived at the
stream, the water was high, covering the log about a foot ; we however
waded across on the log and wended our way toward the Little Tarkio,
being compelled to wade sloughs waist deep, and suffering with hunger.
I shot a rabbit and roasted it in the willows, eating it without bread or
salt. About dark we reached John Hughes' place, on Squaw Creek, and
stayed all night at Ferguson's, who was from Iowa to Missouri. We
crossed the Nodaway at Ellington's ferry, passed west and south of where
Fillmore now stands, in Andrew County, and stopped at James Brad-
ford's, where I had stayed three weeks, and where I had left my things.
Here John and I parted, never to meet again.
The next day I started back to Nodaway County, reached the Big
Tarkio and found its banks full. I made a raft principally out of syca-
more logs and crossed the stream, and arrived at the cabin about dark,
where I found the three brothers enjoying a good fire, in their new house.
After supper they told me that they had concluded to go to Platte
County after more cattle, and requested me to remain at their cabin and
take care of things while they were gone. Soon after their departure,
about sixty Indians camped near me. I was out hunting one day, and
came in late and found six Indians standing near the cabin. One of
them came running up to me with his tomakawk raised, and thrust his
hand into my shot pouch. I asked him what he wanted, when he put
his finger on the flint in my gun, and smiled. I gave him two or three
flints, when the other Indians came up and shook hands. We had no
matches in those days. These Indians came into the cabin that even-
576 HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
ing, but I could understand but little they said. Among them was an
old chief— Monocahavvk by name. They left about bed time, and went
to their wigwams. They were a small band of the Iowas, Sacs and
Foxes. I could tell the different tribes by their wigwams, as each built
them in a different manner.
I hunted a day or two with Monocahawk, when I became better
acquainted with him ; went to his wigwam, where he tried to tell me of
his relations ; saw him play with his children, with whom he seemed to
enjoy himself, as any fond father does with his children. I was always
well treated by him and the Indians generally. They gave me the best
they had to eat, and among other things, salt; this they did not use
themselves. Their winter wigwams were made of elk or buffalo skins
stretched over poles set in the ground, and fastened down all round,
leaving a small hole in the top, for the smoke to pass out. They put
grass and leaves in the inside, except in the center, where they build a
small fire. They then spread robes and blankets over the leaves and
grass, making it warm and pleasant. The squaws were busy in making
moccasins and working into them, porcupine quills. I saw them teach-
ing their children to stand alone. They did this by using a stick about
two feet in length, the child holding to one end while the other end was
■on the ground. Their children are taught to be quiet.
I noticed in some of these wigwams polecats cleaned and dressed
as we do hogs. They make a choice dish among the Indians. We often
saw deer, turkeys, coons and prairie chickens lying around the tents,
the result of a day's hunt. In going along in company with Monoca-
hawk, when we would pass through good, walnut timbered land, he
would say, " Very good, chemuckman," meaning the whites liked this
kind of land, and when we entered marshy land he would say, " Pish-
conica," meaning not good ; when we crossed a small stream of water
he would say, "Petite Missouri," meaning "Little Missouri." The
three brothers returned from Platte County about the 20th of Novem-
ber, 1841. Indians were still camped all through the Missouri bottom.
On the 25th of November, 1841, snow fell to the depth of fifteen
■inches, and the weather was very cold for three days, moderating some
the third day. On that evening I killed a deer and Monocahawk came
■over to the camp for the head, with which he made soup. After this
snow melted there was no more all winter, at least but very little. The
lake froze and the fowls generally left. When shot at in the morning
they would rise and fly and make a noise like thunder with their wings,
and scream and pipe and shriek. Among these water fowl was one bird
which had no tongue, and is known as the Pelican. This bird has a
pouch under his bill, in which he can carry provisions enough to do him
nearly a week. I have taken out of this pouch five or six fish, from
three to six inches in length. The swans made a trumpet-like noise
REMINISCENCES OF AN OLD PIONEER. 577
and were white, with black tips to their wings, and were not quite as
large as the pelican.
One day a man came from the bluffs, telling that the owners of
cattle in the Great Rush Bottom were going to meet at our cabin on a
certain day to organize a company to drive the Indians across the Mis-
souri River. On the day named the bluff men came riding on their
mustang saddles, with rope stirrups, to the number of twenty-one.
Some of these cattle men made me think of the cow-skin clad shep-
herds on the Nile. Some of them had buck-hide pants, coon-skin caps
(tail and all), and flax shirts.
A cow had been killed and eaten by some person or persons, we
could not tell whether by the whites or Indians, but supposed it to have
been done by the Indians. We fell into line and filed down the north
bank of the lake, and were soon near enough to the Indians to throw
out advanced skirmishers, who returned and reported that the Indians
were out on a hunt. I felt better. When we surrounded the encamp-
ment, an old man (Indian) came out, in company with a young man, and
told us that the warriors were all on a hunt. The Indians were given
three days in which to leave. At the end of. three days, I was sent out
to see if they had gone. I found that they had all gone. They, how-
ever, returned occasionally on hunting expeditions.
In December, 1841, we were out hunting bees, and hearing the sound
of an ax, we went in that direction. We saw two squaws chopping
a small honey locust for honey, and got down to help myself to the
honey. The weather was warm for December, and the bees were buzz-
ing around the squaws in great numbers. I made a motion giving them
to understand that I would cut the tree and take the honey out for them.
They gave me an ax, and I cut the tree down. They produced a dressed
deer skin, which looked like a jar when filled with honey, and which was
handy for carrying. While assisting these squaws, I heard a noise in
the bush near, and looking around, saw an Indian warrior well armed.
He looked sullen, thinking we were perhaps taking the honey from the
squaws. I took a piece of nice honey and gave it to him. At this he
smiled and tried to talk. We mounted our horses and left, and never
saw them any more.
Lewis and Clark say there were no bees above the mouth of the
Osage River in 1804. They say, also, that a part of the Missouri River
had its channel then where the Higgins Lake is, at the mouth of the Big
Tarkio, making a large island, called St. Joseph's Island, the channel of
which has since filled up. One evening, before Monocahawk and party
were ordered away, he came to our cabin, in company with five other
Indians, and gave us to understand, by signs, that some cattle were fast
in the mud and mire of the lake. The next morning the Indians met us
and helped to get the cattle released from the slough. We did not know,
37
578 HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
at the time, to whom the cattle belonged, but, in a few days, a man came
from Durbin's and brought us five or six plugs of tobacco, which had
been sent us by Durbin, for caring for his cattle.
One morning I was riding through the country and fell in company
with a French Indian trader. I asked him why the Indians called the
Nishnebotna, Big and Little Tarkio, by those names ? He said that in
the Indian tongue, Nishnabotna meant a river where boats were built,
or a boat building stream, and that Tarkio meant walnut, or a stream on
which there were many walnuts. This Indian trader pointed to a streak
of cotton-wood timber, just below Hemme's Landing, on the Missouri
River, and said that several years before the settlement of the Platte
Purchase there came a cold winter, which froze the Big Tarkio, except
about a rod in the middle of the stream. There was a large herd of elk,
west on the prairie bottom, near that streak of timber, and immediately
he saw emerging from the timber a great many Indians, all mounted on
swift horses. They drove the elk in the direction of the Big Tarkio,
some distance south of where he was at the time, and pursued them until
they crowded into the stream by hundreds. Another party of Indians,
previously stationed on the east side of the Big Tarkio, in the timber,
joined in the chase. The elk plunged into the water, but could not cross,
on account of the opening in the ice. About 500 of the elk were caught
and killed, furnishing the Indians with an abundance of meat that winter.
May, 1842. The youngest brother went to the bluffs this morning,
to ascertain the day of the week and to get some meal. I went out and
killed a deer. Snapping turtles are. coming out of Impassable Lake, to
lay their eggs. Two Indians came by, on their ponies, and after they
passed I could hear them tomahawking the turtles on the banks of the
lake. These they eat whenever they can get them. Some of the turtles
in the Impassable Lake were as large round as a half bushel.
June, 1842, a steamboat is now lying at the mouth of the Nishne-
botna, and destined for the Rocky Mountains, whither they go every
season to bring down the furs purchased from the trappers and the
Indians. This boat has broken her shaft and another is expected from
St. Louis. Our boys have hired some of the boat hands to make rails
while they are waiting for the shaft. Three weeks passed before the
shaft was sent. It came to Weston, Platte County, by steamboat and
was brought from that point in a Mackinaw boat. The steamer started
but getting aground on a sandbar, as I afterwards learned, had to lay up
all winter. It is still in June, and I have been around Irish Grove getting
acquainted and eating wheat bread without its being bolted. Plenty of
milk and honey. I think Moses missed a good country.
One day I went to the Missouri River, where I saw a small, cleared
field. I went through the high grass to look at the fence, to see what
was planted, and, when reaching it, I saw on the inside of the field a
REMINISCENCES OF AN OLD HONEER. 579
monstrous looking dog barking at me. In the corner of the fence I saw
a red Indian blanket spread out on the grass, and on it were two Indian
babies, which appeared to be twins. At the far side of the field there
was a man and woman planting corn. They looked as lonely as Adam
and Eve did in the garden of Eden. I passed on through the grass and
found a cabin on the bank of the river. As I approached it all the dogs
barked (those that were able, for they were very poor), and a tall
slender white woman, fair complexioned, come out looking friendly and
invited me to have a stool. She was quite talkative and told me of her
husband and the settlers. We built a cabin in section 18, township 63,
range 40, now in Atchison County, near a spring at the foot of the
bluffs, which was afterwards known as the " Bottom Farm." I went
back to see the man in the cabin on the river bank and made arrange-
ments with him to go over the Missouri River on a hunting expedition.
The woman said she would be " darned " if she would stay at home
alone. We were to start in a month. In the meantime I had agreed to
cut and split two thousand rails for the boys for two two-year-old
steers ; the rails at fifty cents per hundred, the steers to be taken at ten
dollars each. My contract was performed, and in July, 1842, I was on
the river bank ready to help make the canoes in which we were to cross
to the western shore. Others had heard of our intended hunt, and
joined us, some of them coming from Clay County. William Root and
son came from Clay, and David Sempleton and son from Holt County.
We were several days getting the canoes ready. The men from Clay
County rode mules and they had to be taken over the river. We placed
the canoes in the river, seven or eight feet apart, and connected them
by puncheons, which we fastened to each, and, when thus arranged,
they would carry our guns, tubs, buckets, mules and ourselves (six or
seven men), leaving about two inches above water. We reached the
opposite shore in safety and all scattered, each taking his own course.
I had not gone far in the hills before I saw a deer and killed it, and,
while I was dragging the deer towards a bush, a bee flew by my face
and disappeared in a hole in a tree near me. I found six bee trees that
day. Sempleton and son hunted for about a week and left for home.
There were then six of us. We went farther up the river and found
bees in abundance, and had a "candy pulling" in the white settlement,
the settlers being present, among them three women —all in the neigh-
borhood. We went over the river again and took a hunt. I found
thirty-two bee trees, and the others found about the same number. We
had seven barrels of honey. It took eleven bee trees to make a barrel
of strained honey. While I was hunting over the river I saw a bundle
of something about twenty feet above the ground in a tree. I climbed
the tree and raised some bark ; there were layers of flags tied together,
such as the Indians use for wigwams in the summer. These flags were
58o HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
wrapped around something, which I found to be two nicely dressed buf-
falo skins. The skins I found enclosed the dead body of an Indian,
having on his moccasins. Poles and bark were alternately laid over
him, after wrapping him in the skin to prevent the buzzards from eating
him.
There was great suffering in the Platte Purchase in the long winter
of 1842-3. During that winter I grated a part of my corn for meal, and
ate six or seven bushels of corn boiled and parched. I killed twenty-
three deer that winter, and killed a number of turkeys as they walked
through my door yard. The pioneers generally grated their corn in the
fall for the winter. One morning, in the winter of 1843, a young man
stopped at the cabin to warm. I asked him where he lived ? He said,
" all around here." I knew then he was a preacher. I learned that his
name was Marvin — afterwards Bishop Marvin. R. H. Russel stayed all
winter at our cabin, in 1843.
April 1, 1843, I walked across Impassable lake on the ice — ice two
feet thick and snow knee deep. The flood was coming. About the 10th
of April, I got up one morning and saw that the lake looked muddy and
had risen. It rained a great part of the time from April till July. This
was the first overflow that we have any record of. I have seen the over-
flows of June, 1843, 1844 and 1881, and there was but little difference.
After the overflow there was much sickness in the Missouri bottoms.
In 1843, a man living on Mill Creek, under the bluffs, went up in
the hills to cut a log, and while coming down the hill, carrying his ax
on his shoulder, his foot caught in the weeds, he fell and cut the calf of
his leg severely. The wound was bleeding profusely when an Indian
came along, and after looking a moment at the wound, went and pulled
off some stems and leaves of the weeds growing near, and after chewing
them a moment applied them to the wound, when the blood ceased run-
ning, in. about two minutes. The Indian helped the man to his cabin,
and after awhile went out on the prairie and got another and different
weed, chewed it, and applied in the same manner. The Indian remained
with him a day or two, until the man began to get well. The Indian
showed me the weeds he used ; they do not grow here now.
In January, 1843, I went up to the creek to look for a deer. In a
very thick hazle thicket there lay a large log. It was no unusual thing
to see turkeys on that log sunning themselves. Failing to get a deer
that morning, I returned the same way on the opposite side of the thicket.
Looking towards the log I saw, as I thought, three turkeys. I took my
gun from my shoulder and aimed at the largest one. I could not see
his neck, just as I wished, and hesitated about firing. At that moment
an Indian raised his head, and I saw it was not a turkey. The Indians
had just reached the spot, and was scraping off the snow preparatory to
making a fire. I went up to them, when one of them handed me an old
REMINISCENCES OF AN OLD PIONEER. 58 1
flint lock gun (all they had) and said to me by signs that the lock was
"sick." I took the lock and found that the main-spring was out of trim.
I arranged it for them, and it pleased them greatly. They made a fire
and put their camp kettle on, and boiled a turkey. One of them took
the entrails of the turkey, and after drawing them through his fingers,
would put them into the kettle, and after boiling a few moments would
take them out and eat them. I saw there was something in a man's
raising, after all.
I was at Oregon one day, when Frank Nickol and L. W. Jones had
a difficulty about a claim in Nickol's Grove, where they both lived. They
had agreed to settle the difficulty the first time they met in town. They
met about where Niece's tin store now stands. We formed a ring around
them by holding each others hands. Each of the men had a second.
These brave fellows took off their coats and shirts and when ready, they
advanced upon each other and began the battle. Jones finally shouted
enough, when they were parted. Nickols, of course, got the claim.
1844. After three of us had graduated on the tributaries of the Impas-
sable Lake, we concluded to go east. I told the boys I had been seeing
steamboats ever since I recollected, but had never traveled on them.
We accordingly got ready and walked to Weston, Platte County, making
the trip in two and a half days. After our arrival, we went to a house
of entertainment, and while eating dinner, we heard a sharp, powerful
scream, something like the scream of a panther. The landlord seeing I
was very much alarmed, said the boat was coming. I asked him what
kind of a boat ? He said steamboat. We told him we wanted to go
down the river, and asked him how they (the boats) made that noise ?
(I had never heard a steamboat whistle). He said one or two steamboats
on the western waters had whistles. We asked him if the boat whistled
often ? He said only when she landed, left a port, or met another boat.
One of our party said he had traveled to New Orleans several times, and
knew all about boats. This relieved me greatly, as I was totally ignor-
ant of this mode of traveling. I imitated this comrade as closely as I
could, at the hotel. We walked out in town and a Jew came out of his
store and took hold of my friend, and tried to induce him to go into his
store and buy something. He jerked himself loose, and told the impor-
tunate vender of cheap clothing to go to h — 1. I thought this a little
rough, but said nothing, as I had not been in cities long enough to
understand the habits and customs of the people, and did not know but
that it was all right.
My comrade's name was Halloway. He was a scientific coon and
muskrat hunter, and had very active, black eyes. Soon a man stepped
up to me, and asked me where I was going ? I told him we were going
down the Missouri River, if we could strike a steamboat that would take
us according to our money. He said he would like to go with us and in
582 HISTORY OF HOLT COUNTY.
our mess. I said all right. As we walked towards the boat he said he
had been in town a day or two, waiting for a boat, and in traveling
around town that day had cheated some fellow out of seventy-five cents.
I thought him a little fast, as I had never seen him before, but as I had
not traveled any in boats I did not say anything. Halloway and Will-
iam Buffinbaugh were my comrades, and this strange man remained
close to me all the time. We reached the boat, and out came the clerk,
a little red-headed, neatly dressed man. When I saw who he was, I
rushed up to him, putting my hand on his shoulder, my comrades and the
by-standers all gazing in wonder, when he looked around and instantly
took my hand, and said : " Where in the d — have you been so long ?"
I asked him where he had been so long, since we boarded together at a
country tavern, east of the Black Swamps, in Indiana ? He said : " Steam-
boating." His name was Charles Mulford. He was then on a new boat,
built at Pittsburg. This was her second or third trip. He told me that
there were but two boats running on the western rivers that had whistles,
and this boat was the first. He said steamboats had them on the east-
ern waters. I asked him when the boat would leave ? He said at day-
light in the morning, to the minute. I asked him what we could get to
St. Louis for? He said we could go for $3.50 each, deck passage, and
help wood, or $4 and not help. I told him we could not pay that, and
asked him if he had ever seen this river rafted ? He said no, and took
me up in the boat and showed me a printed contract that all the boat
hands had agreed to, and assured us that if we waited for the next boat
we could do no better. I asked permission to remain on the boat (lower
deck) till next morning. I told him I would vouch for my companions.
He said all right. We concluded we would go up in town and buy an
outfit and wait and try the next boat. We started and this stranger still
kept close to me. The other two went together. We bought a few tin
cups, a coffee pot, tin plates, a ham of meat, some bread, etc. I told this
stranger to pay for some of the things and when we got on the boat we
would make it all right, and when the other boys came we would know
each one's share. The stranger slept on the boat and left his clothes
and things up in town. He had overpaid, more than one dollar,
his share. On the lower deck the rooms for deck passengers were
at the rear end of the boat. Just after we had got into our bunks, as they
called them, the clerk rapped on mine, and whispered to me that we
could go down for $2.50 each and help wood. I said to him all right.
I told my companions what the clerk had said, and that the boat would
leave the next morning. Just before day I saw the stranger walking
about. I supposed he was going up in town after his clothes, but I never
saw him afterward, and do not know whether he took anything or
whether he was too slow in returning before the boat left.
REMINISCENCE OF AN OLD PIONEER.
583
I was not far from the whistle, when all at once, the whistle sounded
with such an unearthly shriek, that I came very near jumping into the
river. Our boat started, and when we reached Blue Mills, an old Span-
iard put $150,000 on the boat, in silver and gold. He was going to pur-
chase goods. His money was in small, square boxes, encased in raw-
hide, and placed in the captain's quarters. We changed boats at St.
Louis. We went through the canal at Louisville, Kentucky. While
there, the boys went up to see the giant, Porter. They got off the boat
in Kentucky, and I went oh to Cincinnati.
ATCHISON COUNTY COURT HOUSE, ROCK PORT, MO.
HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
CHAPTER I.
ACT ORGANIZING THE COUNTY OF ATCHISON.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF GENERAL D. R. ATCHISON.
The act organizing the County of Atchison, was passed during the
winter of 1844. The names of the county commissioners as given by
that act, were Alexander McElroy, David Hunsaker and Elijah Needles.
They were authorized to meet on the 14th day of April, [845, for the
purpose of organizing the county, at the house of Conrad Cliffield. The
county was named in honor of General David R. Atchison, and was
bounded as follows : "Beginning in the middle of the main channel of
the Missouri River, at a point where a line running through the center
of township sixty-three extended, would intersect the same ; thence
east with said township line to the line of Nodaway County ; thence
north with said line to the northern boundary of the state ; thence with
the same [west] to the middle of the main channel of the Missouri River ;
thence down said river in the middle of the main channel thereof to the
beginning."
GENERAL DAVID R. ATCHISON.
Whether or not the policy of naming counties after illustrious
statesmen and famous generals, be a good one, it has nevertheless been
followed, to a greater or less extent, in the various states of the Union,.
and in none more so than in Missouri, as is illustrated by the following
named counties: Atchison, Barton, Bates Benton, Buchanan, Clay,
Clinton, ^Dallas, Lewis, Pike, Polk, Taney, Randolph, Washington, Web-
ster, Jackson, and many others.
A brief sketch of the man, whose name the county bears, will be in
place here :
Ex-Senator David R. Atchison, of Missouri, was born at Frogtownr
in Fayette County, Kentucky, August n, 1807. Being the son of a
wealthy farmer of that county, he received all the advantages of a liberal
education, which developed those powerful intellectual faculties that
586 HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
rendered his name, in after life, conspicuous in the history of his country.
His father was William Atchison, the son of a farmer of Lancaster
County, Pennsylvania, who moved with his parents,, when six years of
age, to that garden spot of the west, which now constitutes the rich and
magnificently improved county of Fayette, in the State of Kentucky.
His mother's maiden name was Catherine Allen. She was a native of
the State of Georgia, and a lady of rare, natural and acquired endow-
ments. General Atchison was the eldest of six children — four sons and
two daughters. His brothers were, B. A. Atchison, generally known as
Allen Atchison, who died in 1857, leaving one child ; John C, who with
Mary, a daughter of William Atchison, resides with the general ; Alex-
ander Atchison, who died insane, since the war, and William Atchison,
the father of Dr. J. B. Atchison, at one time a well known physician of
Buchanan County. One sister, Mary, was married to Madison Allen, a
farmer of Buchanan County. Miss Rebecca Atchison, another sister,
died at her residence in Clinton County, in August, 1874. The brothers
were all large farmers, and recognized as men of more than ordinary
natural and acquired abilities.^
Largely blessed with the gifts of fortune, intellectual worth seems
to have been no less the heritage of this distinguished family. In 1825,
General Atchison was graduated with high honor, in Transylvania
University, then the leading institution of learning in the state, and since
incorporated in the new University of Kentucky. Upon receiving his
degree in the arts, with characteristic energy, immediately applied him-
self to the study of law. Among his preceptors in the faculty were the
eminent Judge Bledsoe, Charles Humphrey and William T. Barry, after-
wards postmaster general of the United States, during the administration
of Martin Van Buren. In 1829 he was admitted to the practice of law,
in his native state. Notwithstanding the most flattering encouragement
and persuasion to remain, from those who knew and appreciated his
talents, he determined to try his fortunes in the West, and in 1830,
moved to the comparatively wild district of Clay County, Missouri, and
settled in the town of Liberty. The only lawyer in the place at the time
of his arrival, was Judge William T. Wood, now a resident of Lexing-
ton. About this period, General Atchison was appointed Major General
of the Northern Division of Missouri State Militia. He soon commanded
a lucrative practice, and continued to reside in Liberty until February,
1841, when he received the appointment of judge, by Governor Rey-
nolds, of the circuit court of Platte County, and removed to Platte City
during that year.
In August, 1834, as again in 1838, he was elected to the State Leg-
islature, from Clay County. Upon the death of Dr. Linn, United States
Senator, in the autumn of that year, he was appointed by the Governor
to the vacancy thus occasioned in the Senate. He was elected and
COUNTY ORGANIZATION. 587
re-elected for two full terms in succession, the last of which expired
March 4, 1855, during the administration of Franklin Pierce. In 1857,
he moved to Clinton County, Missouri, where he now resides. He was
elected President of the Senate, to succeed Judge Mangum, from North
Carolina, which position he filled some years. The 4th of March, 1849,
occurring on Sunday, General Z. Taylor was not inaugurated till the
following Morning. General Atchison, as presiding officer of the Senate,
became virtually, President of the United States, during the period of
twenty-four hours. On his retirement from the Senate, he continued to
take a lively interest in the politics of the country, and was regarded as
a leader and chief adviser of the pro-slavery party in Kansas, during the
troubles which preceded the admission into the Union.
In 1856, he had command of 1,150 men, at a point called Santa Fe.
On the 29th of August, the same year, a detachment from his army
attacked Osawatomie, Kansas, and succeeded in killing five men and
capturing seven.
At the breaking out of the late civil war, Governor Jackson, of Mis-
souri, sent him a commission as Brigadier-General, which he declined.
He, however, joined the Southern army temporarily, and continued with
it until after the battle of Elkhorn, and after the close of the war
returned to his home, where he has continued to reside in unbroken
retirement. As a private citizen, no man was ever more highly esteemed
than he. The deserving, in misfortune, were never known to go
unrelieved by his generous hand, and the princely hospitality with which
he entertained those who were honored by his friendship, will long be
remembered. He was never married.
CHAPTER II. ]
PHYSICAL FEATURES.
LOCATION'- BOUNDARY -SURFACE— STREAMS — TIMBER— CLIMATE AND HEALTH— RAIN-
FALL-PRAIRIE.
LOCATION.
Atchison County is located in the extreme northwestern corner of
the state, bordering upon the Iowa line, which bounds -it on the north.
It is bounded on the e_ast by Nodaway County, on the south by Holt
and on the west by Nebraska, from which it is separated by the Mis-
souri River.
It is about the same parallel as Philadelphia, Columbus, Indianapo-
lis and San Francisco, and about the same meridian as Lake Itasca and
Galveston. The county is divided into ten civil and nine full congres-
sional townships, and sixteen fractional townships and contains 334,-
000 acres, or about 52i| square miles.
SURFACE.
The land in the county, away from the streams, is undulating
prairie and presents altogether a diversity of country seldom found in so
small an area. Rising to the higher points of ground, the eye com-
mands views of exquisite loveliness, embracing the silvery course of the
stream, the waving foilage of trees, the changing outlines of gentle ele-
vations, the flower-decked prairie, with cultivated farms and houses,
including the hut of the first settlers and the more palatial mansion of
the stock raiser and the capitalist.
The bottoms of the Missouri, extending eastward across the Nish-
nebotna River to the bluffs beyond, range from four to eight miles in
width, and include an area of about one hundred square miles. The hills
east, for one or two miles, include a tract of country, consisting of a num-
ber of groups of rounded hills, presenting a commandingfront and rising
150 to 250 feet above the bottom prairie. Eastward, and extending to
the east line of the county, the country slopes gently to the streams, the
bottoms are tolerably wide and the uplands hilly and rolling. The Mis-
souri bluffs are often very steep, frequently sloping at an angle of sixty
PHYSICAL FEATURES. 589
degrees, often in every direction ; they seem like miniature mountain
peakes, and present a very picturesque appearance. * The views from
their summits are often very extensive and beautiful. Ascending them
two miles west of Rock Port we see to the northward the wide Missouri
bottom, with its covering of tall prairie grass, through which the wind-
ing Nishnebotna can be traced by its fringe of green. The prairies
beyond stretch out beautifully, occasionally dotted with farms and fine
fields of ripe corn. Across the northwest appear the white houses of
the town of Sonora, glistening in the sunshine and giving a pleasant
relief; beyond it is the timber, near the Missouri River, and still further,
in the background, arise, in bold relief, the hills of Nebraska. To the
right and left the bare bluff hills extend in irregular, mountain like
elevations.
There is not a section of country of equal extent in the state that
possesses a better distributed drainage system than Atchison County.
There is, proportionately, such a small area of waste and swamp lands,
and the facilities for drainage are so admirable, that waste lands arising
from this cause are too insignificant to be worthy of mentioning.
The county presented to the first settler an easy task in subduing
the wild land. Its natural prairies were fields almost ready for the
planting of the crop, and its rich, black soil seemed to be waiting the
opportunity of paying rewards as tribute to the labor of the husband-
man. The farms of Atchison County are generally large, level or undu-
lating, unbroken by impassable sloughs, without stumps or other obstruc-
tions, and furnish the best of conditions favorable to the use of reaping
machines, mowers, corn planters and other kinds of labor-saving
machinery.
STREAMS.
Atchison County is so well supplied with living streams of water,
and they are so well distributed that the people of the county could not
possibly make an improvement upon the arrangement if they were
allowed the privilege and endowed with the power to make a readjust-
ment of the system of streams and water courses. Some of these
streams have fine mill sites, and, and, by reason of the water power thus
made so accessible, the early settler was spared many of the hardships
and inconveniences experienced by the pioneers of other sections.
The principal water courses of the county are the Nishnebotna, the
Big and Little Tarkios and Rock Creek. There are besides these a
number of smaller streams, which flow through the county in different
directions.
TIMBER.
The circumstance which, more than any other, favored the early
and rapid settlement of Atchison County was the abundance of timber.
590 HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
The presence of timber aided materially in an early settlement, and it
aided in two ways : first, the county had to depend on immigration
from the older settled states of the Union for its population — Ohio,
Indiana, Kentucky, Virginia and Tennessee. These states were orig-
inally almost entirely covered with dense forests and farms were made
by clearing off certain portions of the timber. Almost every farm
there, after it became thoroughly improved, still retained a certain
tract of timber, commonly known as " the woods." The woods is gen-
erally regarded as the most important part of the farm, and the aver-
age farmer regarded it as indispensable when he emigrated west.
The great objection to the country was the scarcity of timber as
compared to the eastern states, and he did not suppose that it would be
possible to open up a farm on the bleak prairie. To live in a region
devoid of the familiar sight of timber seemed unendurable, and the
average Ohio, Indiana and Kentucky immigrant could not endure the
idea of founding a home far away from the familiar sight of forest trees.
Then, again, the idea entertained by the early immigrants, that timber
was a necessity, was" not simply theoretical and ethical. The early
settler had to have a house to live in, fuel for cooking and heating pur-
poses, and fences to enclose his claim. At that time there were no rail-
roads whereby lumber could be transported from the pineries ; no coal
mines had yet been opened or discovered. Timber was an absolute
necessity, without which personal existence as well as material improve-
ment was an impossibility. No wonder that a gentleman from the east
who in early times came to the prairie region of Missouri on a prospect-
ing tour with a view of permanent location, returned home in disgust
and embodied his views of the country in the following rhyme :
" Oh, lonesome windy, grassy place,
Where buffalo and snakes prevail ;
The first with dreadful looking face,
The last with dreadful sounding tail !
I'd rather live on camel hump,
And be a Yankee Doodle beggar,
Than where I never see a stump,
And shake to death with fever 'n ' ager.' "
As before remarked, there are two reasons why the first settlers
refused to locate at a distance from the timber, and why the timbered
regions bordering upon the rivers became densely populated while the
more fertile and more easily cultivated prairies remained for many years
unclaimed. The pioneers were in the main the descendants of those
hardy backwoodsmen who conquered the dense forests of the south and
east. When farms are opened up in those countries a large belt of
timber was invariably reserved from which the farmer could draw his
supply of logs for lumber, for fence rails, and fuel for heating and cook-
PHYSICAL FEATURES. 591
ing purposes. Even at the present day a farm without its patch of tim-
ber is exceedingly rare in those countries. Having from their youth up
been accustomed to timber, the emigrant from these timbered regions
of the east would have ever felt lonesome and solitary deprived of the
familiar sight of the tall forest trees and shut off from the familiar sound
of the wind passing through the branches of the venerable oaks. Then
again, timber was an actual necessity to the early settler. In this day
of railroads, herd laws, cheap lumber and cheap fuel, it is easy enough
to open a farm and build up a comfortable home away out on the prairie,
far from the sight of timber. But not so under the circumstances sur-
rounding the first settlers. There was no way of shipping lumber from
the markets of the east, coal mines were unknown, and before a parcel of
land could be cultivated, it was necessary to fence it. In order to settle
the prairie countries it was necessary to have railroads, and in order to'
have railroads, it was necessary that at least a portion of the country
should be settled. Hence the most important resource in the develop--
ment of this western country was the belts of timber which skirted the
streams ; and the settlers who first hewed out homes in the timber, while
at present not the most enterprising and progressive, were nevertheless
an essential factor in the solution of the problem.
Much of this primeval forest has been removed ; part of it was
economically manufactured into lumber, which entered into the con-
struction of the early dwelling houses, many of which still remain ;
much of it was ruthlessly and recklessly destroyed. From the fact that
attention was early given to the culture of artificial groves, Atchison
County now has probably about as much timber as formerly, and the
state much more.
Among the most abundant of all trees originally found was the
black walnut, so highly prized in all countries for manufacturing pur-
poses. Timber of this kind was very plentiful, and of good quality
originally, but the high prices paid for this kind of timber, presented
itself as a temptation to destroy it, which the people, frequently in
straitened circumstances, could not resist. Red, white and black oak
•are still very plentiful, although they have for many years been exten-
sively used as fuel. Crab apple, elm, walnut, maple, ash, cottonwood
and wild cherry are also found. Some of the best timber in the state is
to be found in this county.
A line of timber follows the course of all the streams. Detached
groves, both natural and artificial, are found at many places throughout
the county, which are not only ornamental, in that they vary the monot-
ony of the prairie, but likewise very useful, in that they have a very
important bearing on the climate. It is a fact fully demonstrated by the
best authority that climate varies with the surface of a country.
592 HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
HEALTH AND CLIMATE.
The question is very frequently asked, how does Atchison County
compare with other sections of the country in regard to health ? To
answer, " very favorably, indeed," would be strictly true ; for there are no
endemics peculiar to this section, and epidemics are no more frequent,
and no more severe, than in other sections of country of like extent ;
and, indeed, it can be said that they are much less frequent and much
less severe than in many other localities.
The land, except the valleys along the largest streams, is rolling,
almost hilly, indeed, and this circumstance renders drainage almost per-
fect, and with a little effort on the part of the citizens, could be made
entirely perfect. There are no extensive bogs or marshes, and those of
limited extent, are, for the most part, drained.
Water for house use is easily obtained from natural springs, and from
wells, which are usually from twenty to thirty feet in depth, and the
water, for the most part, is of an excellent quality. The soil is a deep,
rich, black loam, with here and there spots more or less sandy or gravelly.
The climate is somewhat changeable, though it compares favorably
with that of Southern Pennsylvania, Central Ohio, Central Indiana and
Central Illinois. Very severe drouths are not common, nor are very
severe winters usual. The spring season will compare very favorably
with that of other localities of the same latitude, and the autumns gen-
erally are charming.
There is more or less malaria (so-called) along the river bottoms,
and, indeed, on the upland, but much less than along large rivers, and it
is very seldom that a case of severe, " old-fashionrd ague," is seen, "such
as will cause the stoves and windows to shake." Indeed, this so-called
malaria is so attenuated in Atchison County, that its meagre density or
■concentration cannot be relied upon by theorists to prove that it ought
to be considered an entity.
Typical typhoid fever is seldom seen here, as it usually is of the
typho-malarial form ; though occasionally a case occurs as typically
pure as those that occur in crowded cities or in illy ventillated hospitals ;
but such cases can mostly or always be traced to crowded prisons or
something very similar, and therefore will occur in every section of
•country — not one more than another — where people breathe for a con-
siderable time air that is surcharged with the exhalations from the lungs
or other organs and from the surface of the body ; or where they eat
pork or drink water surcharged with like poison.
Remittent and intermittent fevers prevail to some extent, but they
cannot be said to be more prevalent than in other localities on the same
parallel of latitude.
PHYSICAL FEATURES. 593
Malaria, so called, is quite often associated with other diseases not
generally regarded as of a malarial nature ; but this is not at all a pecu-
liar circumstance, for this association is found in all localities.
Malignant or pernicious diseases are not common, though occasion-
ally cases of malignant diphtheria appear.
Phthisis Pulmonalis (old-fashioned consumption) is hardly known
here, except cases established prior to locating in the county, and it is
commonly believed that the climate is antagonistic to that disease.
Catarrh, or rather, nasal catarrh, is somewhat prevalent, but in all
probability it is due to the kind of houses that have been and that are
still, to some extent used, rather than to any peculiarity of climate ; for
it is a lamentable fact, that many of the houses or huts too common in all
new countries are still quite numerous here, and many of the better class
of houses are only one story and a half high, thus putting those who
sleep up stairs too near a cold roof, where they are constantly exposed
to a cold current of air. And those who sleep on the lower floor, or first
floor, are in very many houses exposed to currents entering the room
through crevices in the wall, or rather in the siding of the house. It is
a cheering fact, however, that this state of affairs is rapidly changing, for
good houses are rapidly taking the place of the bad ones, and the inhab-
itants are not at all lacking in thrift. It is entirely within the bounds
of truth to say that Atchison County is a desirable place to live, con-
sidered from the standpoint of health, as well as from many other stand-
points.
RAINFALL.
The average yearly rainfall and melted snow, for twenty-five years,
has been about 36.62 inches. The average rainfall and melted snow, for
each month respectively, for this period, has been as follows : January,
1.68 inches ; February, 1.67 ; March, 2,10 ; April, 3.49 ; May, 4.39 ; June,
4.75 ; July', 4.69; August, 4.66 ; September, 3.30 ; October, 2.33 ; Novem-
ber, 1.69; December, 1.89 inches. The rain and melted snow for winter,
5.25 inches ; spring, 9.25 ; summer, 14.10 ; autumn, 7.32 inches.
PRAIRIE.
" Lo ! they stretch
In airy undulations far away,
As if an ocean in its gentlest swell
Stood still, with all its rounded billows fixed
And motionless forever. Motionless?
No, they are all unchained again. The clouds
Sweep over with their shadows, and beneath
The surface rolls and fluctuates to the eye ;
Dark shadows seem to glide along and chase
The sunny ridges Breezes of the South !
Who toss the golden and flame-like flowers,
38
594
HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
And pass the prairie hawk, that, poised on high,
Flaps his broad wings, yet moves not — ye have played
Among the palms of Mexico and vines
Of Texas, and have crisped the limpid brooks
That from the fountains of Sonora glide
Into the calm Pacific — have ye fanned
A nobler or lovlier scene than this?
Man hath no part in all this glorious work?
The hand that built the firmament hath heaved
And smoothed these verdant swells, and sown their hopes
With herbage, planted them with island groves,
And hedged them round with forests. Fitting floor
For this magnificent temple of the sky —
With flowers whose glory and whose multitude
Rival the constellations ! The great heavens
Seem to stoop down upon the scene in love —
A nearer vault, and a tenderer hue
Than that which bends above the eastern hills."
A little more than one-fifth of the county is prairie, and of a very-
excellent quality. In fact there is no better soil in the state than that
found in the prairies of Atchison County. On nearly all the divides
between the running streams are found large tracts of beautiful, rolling
prairie lands, well drained, easily cultivated, highly productive and con-
veniently located to water, timber, mills and markets. The character
of the soil in these prairies is such that good crops are raised even dur-
ing the very wet and very dry seasons. The soil is light and porous, so
that ten hours of bright sunshine will dry the roads after a heavy rain
and fit the plowed fields to be cultivated. The same peculiarity of soil
which enables crops to withstand much moisture and thrive during a
very wet season, also enables them to endure prolonged drouths — the
soil, being very porous, is capable of absorbing a large amount of water
during the rainy season, and when the drouth sets in, the forces of
nature bring back to the surface the surplus moisture from the subter-
raneous storehouses with as much ease as the water in the first place
was absorbed. This is not the case with that quality of soil commonly
known as hard-pan ; the subsoil not being porous, only a small quantity
of water is absorbed, after which it gathers on the surface in pools, and
is then carried away by the process of evaporation ; drouth sets in, and
as soon as the moisture is exhausted from the surface soil, plants wither
and die.
s###;^im
CHAPTER III.
GEOLOGY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
Quarternary Deposits — The alluvium includes the soil and recent
river deposits ; it appears to be composed of alternations of clay, sand,
marly clay beds and vegetable mould.
LOESS, OR BLUFF.
This formation is found on all hills, is developed on the Missouri
bluffs, where it forms those curiously rounded knobs which we have before
mentioned in the chapter on the physical features of the county. The
bluff is probably from 200 to 250 feet in depth, and consists mostly of
finely-comminuted, somewhat sandy and marly ash-brown clays ; when
worn away, or dug into, it is generally jointed in a vertical direction;
nodular, round, calcareous concretions are often found. The fossils found
were Helix, Helicina, Occulta and Succiuea. In a valley, between the
hills at Rundell's Mill, Mr. J. Allen procured the teeth of a buffalo. These
were ten feet beneath the surface. They may belong to a more recent
era than the bluff, and the clays of the bluff may have been washed down
and have covered them.
DRIFT.
Beneath the bluff at Rock Port there are a few feet of sand, with
boulders of quartzite. The drift does not seem to be well marked in the
county. Boulders of quartzite, green-stone, etc., are occasionally found.
UPPER CARBONIFEROUS.
The rocks of this county belong to the upper part of the upper coal
series, and include limestones, sandstones and shales, amounting to about
180 feet in thickness, divided about as follows : 5° feet of sandstone, with
only about 20 feet of limestone, the balance sandy and clay shales. They
have a dip, north and west, amounting to about 170 feet, lrom the south
to the north line of the county, from east to west.
The following is a general section of rocks in this county :
No. 1—250 feet bluff.
No. 2 — Drift, thickness unknown, beneath the bluff.
Sg6 HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
No. 3 — 5 feet red shales.
No. 4 — Sandstone and shales ; sandstone at top, upper three feet
irregularly - bedded and micaceous green; below, 8 or 10 feet, soft
brown, then 35 feet shales and sandstone, red shales in upper part, thick-
bedded sandstone at bottom.
No. 5 — 10 inches drab limestone, weathers brown.
No. 6 — 3 feet 2 inches shaly limestone, containing fossils.
No. 7 — 1 foot 4 inches blue, concretionary limestone, traversed by
ealc-spar veins.
No. 8 — 2 inches sandy shales or dark brown clay.
No. 9 — 2 inches impure coal and shales, 2 to 3 inches.
No. 10 — Ochrey, sandy shale.
No. 11 — 22 feet sandy shale.
No. 12 — 1 foot 6 inches dark blue shaly limestone.
No. 1-3 — 1 foot 6 inches red and green shales, with nodules of limestone.
No. 14 — 4 feet limestone, upper part nodular, weathers brown ;
abounds in Fusulina.
No. 15 — 28 feet blue and drab, argillaceous shale.
No. 16 — 2 feet limestone, bluish drab ; contains Bellerophon, Cri-
noid stems, etc.
No. 17 — 10 inches blue, fossiliforous shales ; contains Aviculopecten,
Productus, Bryozoa, etc.
No. 18 — 2 feet 6 inches hard sandstone. ,
No. 19 — 3 feet soft sandstone.
No. 20 — 10 inches calcareous sandstone ; abounds in Myalina sub-
quarata and Pinna peracnta ; springs abound at the base.
No. 21 — 6 feet blue, argillaceous shales 6 feet to 13 feet.
No. 22 — I foot tolerably fine grained blue limestone, perpendicu-
larly jointed ; weathers brown.
No. 23 — 1 foot 3 inches shales.
No. 24 — 10 inches buff, ochrey, decomposing limestone, jointed per-
pendicularly ; abounds in Prod, semireticulatus (Var. P. Calhonn-
ianus, 5. W.)
No. 25 — 2 feet buff and olive shales.
No. 26 — 2 feet red shales.
No. 27 — 30 feet clay and sandy shales, and concretionary layers of
sandy limestone.
No. 28 — Shelly limestone ; contains Spr. {Martinia) planoconvexus
and Crinoid stems.
Nos. 22 to 28 occur in the northern part of Holt County. Outcrops
of rock were observed along the Missouri bluffs, on Rock Creek, south
of the middle of township 65, on Mill Creek, and Big Tarkio, south of
the middle of township 64. On the other streams no outcrops have been
discovered.
GEOLOGY OF THE COUNTY. 597
The following section appears on the Missouri bluffs, on the north
line of the county, and is numbered 68 and 69.
Shaly sandstone on slope. No. 4, of General Section.
No. 1 — 2 feet ochrey and blue banded clay shales, in thin laminae.
No. 5, of General Section.
No. 2 — 10 inches dark, dull-looking limestone ; weathers brown ;
contains Syntrilasma Jiemiplicata, Spr. cameratus, Pr. Semireticulatas.
No. 3 — 2 feet limestone, rather shaly ; abounds in fossils, including
Pr. Calhounianns (S. W.) Productus (medium sized spec, resembling the
Pr. Calhounianns ; it may be a young individual), Spr. pl.moconvexus,
Chonetes MeeKell 1 striato-costata, Rynchonella Osagensis, Pr. Wabash-
ensis, Spr. Kentuckensis, Byozoa, Athyris subtilita, Crinoid stems, Pr.
Prattenianus, Spr. cameratus. No. 7, of Gen. Sec.
4 — 2 inches dark brown clay. No. 8 of Gen. Sec.
5 — 3 inches dark ochre and coal intercolated. No. 9 of Gen. Sec.
6 — 2 feet ochrey, sandy shales. No. 10 of Gen. Sec.
7 — 17 feet variegated ochrey and blue sandy shales.
A quarter of a mile above Hall's Bridge, on the Nishnebotna, there
are ten inches of heavy, hard, blue pyritiferous limestone, the pyrite
oxidizes near the exposed surface, and forms on the outside a thick,
brown, ferruginous crust. At Rundell's Mill it occurs as the highest
rock, and contains Syntrilasma hemiphicata, Fusalina, Bryozoa,
Chonetes, Spr. cameratus, etc.
The following section, taken a quarter of a mile above Hall's Bridge,
exhibits :
No. 1.— Bluff.
No. 2 — 1 foot hard, silico ferruginous limestone ; fracture shows a
dull lead-blue color ; weathers brownish.
No. 3 — 3 feet greenish drab, fine grained sandstone ; slightly mica-
ceous irregularly bedded.
No. 4 — 1 foot very coarse grained and tough, brown and green
silico-micaceous limestone ; has numerous particles of silver ; mica dis-
seminated.
No. 5 — 4 feet soft, brown and buff limestone.
No. 6— 16 feet, the upper half sandy shales, the lower argillacious
shales.
No. 7 — 2 feet shales, with nodules of brown and ferruginous lime-
stone (No. 7 of Gen. Sec.) ; contains Syntrilasma hemiphicata, Chone-
tes, Prod. Calhounianus, Ch. Flemingii, Marocheilus Productus, equal to
the medium size Prod, of No. 3, section 98.
The following section was taken on Nishnebotna bluff, one mile
above Pollack's :
Section 5.
No. 1— Bluff.
598 HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
No. 2 — io feet, upper part red shales.
No, 3 — 20 feet sandy shales and shaly limestone.
No. 4 — 2ofeet mostly soft, coarse, micaceous sandstone ; color, gray,
brown and greenish gray.
No. 5. — 10 feet slope to water in river.
One m;le further down the bluffs we see.
Section 6.
No. 1— Bluff.
No. 2 — Limestone.
No. 3 — 4 feet drab sandy shales.
No. 4 — 3 feet blue, argillaceous shales.
No. 5 — 10 feet red shales, with some sandy concretions.
No. 6 — 8 feet 45 degree slope ; sandy shales appear to Missouri
bottoms.
The-rocks seen at Barlow's Mill, on Rock Creek, occupy a position
near the middle of the Gen. Sec, and appear thus :
No. 1 — Bluff formation.
No. 2 — 3 feet ashy, blue limestone ; weathers drab, part is quite
crystalline, and contains Ch. Flemingii.
No. 3 — 6 feet lead blue argillaceous shales.
No. 4 — 1 foot fine grained, compact, ashy blue, pyritiforous lime-
stone, said to make good lime.
No. 5 — 4 feet blue argillaceous shales.
No. 6 — Fossils at top of No. 7, including many Crinoid stems,
Rhoncbopora lepidondcndroides, Bcllerophon, Ch. Smithii, also iron
pyrites.
No. 7 — 2 feet ash or ashy blue, pyritiferous limestone, brown crust
on outside ; contains Pr. Semircticulatus, Var. Pr. Calhounianus (S. W.),
Spr. camcratus, Pr. Prattenianus.
At Rock Port, one and a half miles south, was observed the follow-
ing section, which may be a continuation of the last:
Section 10.
No. 1 — 76 bluff.
No. 2 — 2 feet altered drift.
No. 3 — 12 feet dark drab or olive clay shales.
No. 4 — 3 feet slope.
No. 5 — 3 limestone ; upper part gray, and below yellowish gray and
shaly; weathers bluff and brown ; contains Aviculopecten, Myalina sub-
quadrata, Bryozoa Eaomphalus rugosus, Ch. Flemingii, Pr. semi reticu-
latns, var. CalJioiinianns (S. W.), Pr. Prattenianus, Nantiltis nodoso-
dorsatns. This resembles Section 9, No. 10, very much.
No. 6 — 15 blue and olive shales, mostly banded olive and yellow
ochrey, seldom changing to blue, deep, dark band in lower part.
No. 7 — 2 feet green, unlaminated clay.
GEOLOGY OF THE COUNTY. 599
No. 8 — 2 feet green and red shales.
Two miles further down Rock Creek, at King's Mill, we have section
9, section 75, of 1872 :
No. 1 — 30 feet slope.
No. 2 — 2 feet ferruginous limestone abounding in fusulina. No. 14.
Nos. 3 and 4—28 feet olive and drab argillaceous shales, in thick
laminae, some variegated and banded and contain ochrey concretions.
No. 5 — 1 foot ash-blue limestone, at the top shaly, with a red tinge;
contains Bellerophon, Crinoid stems, Euomphalus rugosus, Ch. Flem-
ingii, etc. No. 16.
No. 6 — 6 inches hard sandstone, greenish at top, brown and nod-
ular below.
No. 7 — 3 feet soft, brown sandstone and sandy ferruginous nodules.
No. 8 — 10 feet tough, blue sandstone ; weathers brown ; contains
large Myalina subquadrata and Pinna peraceuta ; spring at base. No. 20
of general section.
No. 9 — 6 feet blue clay shales. No. 21 of general section.
No. 10 — 1 foot blue limestone, mottled with gray specks ; jointed
perpendicularly ; contains Pr. Calhounianus, Pinna, Bryozoa, Mee Kella
striata-costata and Syntrilasma hemiplicata. No. 22.
At Rundell's Mill, on the Missouri bluff, is the following section :
Section 12 (Section 76, 1872).
No. 1 — 81 feet bluff; contains calcareous concretions.
No. 2 — Outcrop of limestone (No. 4 of General Section); contain-
ing Bryozoa, Syntrilasma hemiplicata, etc.
No. 3 — 22 feet sandstone and sandy shales.
No. 3^ — 1 foot dull and dark looking, shaly, blue limestone.
No. 4 — 1 foot 6 inches red and green shales.
No. 5 — 4 feet drab limestone, nodular at top ; abounds in Fusulina.
No. 14 of General Section.
No. 6 — 28 feet blue and drab, argillaceous shales. No. 15 of Gen-
eral Section.
No. 7 — 2 feet limestone ; coarse-grained, shaly at top, fine grained,
blueish-drab bel w.
No. 8—10 inches blue, fossiliferous shale ; contains Aviculopecten
carbonarious, Pr. Prattenianus, etc.
No. 9 — 15 inches brown, calcareous sandstone (No. 19 of Gen. Sec.)
No. 10 — soft buff and blue sandstone. Limestone equivalent to
section 9, No. 2, and section 12, No. 5, crops out on Tarkio Hills, in
south part of township 64, and equals 15 of Gen. Sec.
At VanGundy's mill, on Tarkio, we observed the Fusulina limestone
associated thus : Sec. 17 (not seen in 1872.)
No. 2 — 5 feet, showing an outcrop of limestone containing Fusilina.
No. 3 — 53 slope ; soft shales at bottom.
600 HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
No. 4 — 10 inches dull blue and gray, mottled, coarse, friable lime-
stone.
No. 5 — i foot 6 inches shales and brown, decomposing limestone ;
ferruginous.
No. 6 — 6 inches ferruginous limestone.
No. 7 — 2 inches brown shales.
No. 8 — 5 feet blue, argillaceous shales.
No. 9 — 2 feet coarse, drab limestone ; contains Chonetes.
No. io — 5 feet to water in creek.
One half a mile south of last section, the following Sec. 78 (of 18/2)
appears on Tarkio, below Milton ( VanGundy's Mill) :
No. i — slope, bluff, and drift ; a good deal of coarse sand and many
small, rounded pebbles of various kinds ; some large boulders of. Fusu-
lina limestone.
No. 2 — 21 inches ash-blue limestone, weathers brown (No. 24), con-
tains Pr. semireticulatus, var. Productus Calhounianus (S. W.), Crinoid
stems. Archaeocidaris aculeatus, Chonetes Smithii ? and a small branch-
ing coral.
No. 3 — 3 feet olive clay shales, hard and fine grained.
No. 4 — 10 inch band yellow, soft and decomposing limestone, very
ochrey ; shades a bright gamboge color.
No. 5 — 1 foot 6 inches buff, olive shales, color bright yellow ochrey.
No. 6 — 4 inches red shales. No. 26.
No. 7 — 28 feet shales, greenish and drab, with nodules of ironstone.
Equal to No. 27.
No. 8 — 1 foot shaly, calcareous sandstone ; contains Spr. (Martinia)
planoconrexus and Crinoid siems. The last equals No. 28 of gen. sec.
ECONOMIC GEOLOGY.
Most of the limestones are too pyritiferous to be very valuable for
building purposes. The beds at Barlow's Mill abound in beautiful small
crystals of iron pyrites. The rocks when exposed often lose their sulphur,
and form on the outside a thick, brown ochreous crust ; indeed, some
that are thin bedded become ochreous throughout, and readily disinte-
grate. On this account few of them are sufficiently durable to make a
good material for building. No. 1 1 is probably the best that is used for
building. It is quarried on Rock Creek, on the Missouri bluffs below,
and on Big Tarkio. Some of the beds of sandstone along the Missouri
bluffs, for five or six miles north of the Rock Port road, are useful for
common buildings ; they are often hard, but tolerably easy to quarry.
No. 17 crops out in Tarkio bluffs, and affords a useful material for neigh-
boring buildings.
Iron ore — The bed of argillacious shale contain concretions and thin
beds of carbonate of iron, but in too small a quantity to be useful.
GEOLOGY OF THE COUNTY. 601
Coal — In section 19, township 64, range 41, some labor has been
spent for coal, but the result was fruitless. A two inch seam was discov-
ered and a drift pushed in more than thirty feet, but the seam not thick-
ening it was abandoned. The following is a section of rocks at that
place :
Section 7.
No. 1 — 100 feet bluff formation.
No. 2 — 21 feet sandstone and sandy shales.
No. 3 — 4 feet calcauo-argillaceous shades. No. 7 of gen. sec. con-
tains many fossils. Syntrilasma hemiplicata, Chonetes Flemingii, Spr.
(Martinia) planoconrexus, Pr. concinnus Pr. Wabashensis, Productus (a
small var.) Crinoid stems, a Trilobiti-Phillipsia.
Nq. 4 — 1 foot 4 inches blue, concretionary limestone, traversed by
calc-spar veins ; contains syntrilasma hemiplicata, Euomphalus rugosius.
No. 5 — 2 inches sandy shales.
No. 6 — 2 inches impure coal and shales.
No. 4 — 8 inches bituminous coal, soft and impure.
No. 5 — 1 foot bituminous shale.
This is probably about the equivalent of the Nodaway County coal
and about 1,100 above the base of the upper coal series, and 1,400 feet
above any workable seam of coal. Coal mining would therefore be very
expensive in this county, and its citizens will probably have to look
abroad for their supply.
CHAPTER IV.
FIRST COURTS ORGANIZED.
COUNTY COURT ORGANIZED-ITS PROCEEDINGS— THE CIRCUIT COURT- ATTORNEYS-
GRAND JURORS-FIRST CASES-ENTRIES -BILLS OF INDICTMENT— CONVEYANCES-
EARLY MARRIAGES.
COUNTY COURT ORGANIZED.
Hon. Alexander McElroy, Daniel Hunsaker and Elijah Needles, met
on the 14th day of April, A. D. 1845, at the house of Conrad Cliffield
(Cloepfel) and there organized the County Court of Atchison County.
Each brought his credentials — a commission from his excellency, John
C. Edwards, then Governor of the State of Missouri, and after having
subscribed an oath to support the Constitution of the United States,
the Constitution of the State of Missouri, and to faithfully perform the
duties of his office according to the best of his ability, proceeded in due
form to complete the organization, by ordering that Alexander McElroy
be appointed president of the court, Alexander A. Bradford, clerk, and
Lite T. Tate, sheriff. Being now clothed with all the powers, dignities
and responsibilities of a court, they began their labors by dividing the
county into the following townships : Clark, Nishnebotna, Polk, Tarkio
and Bluff. After establishing these townships, James P. Bevins was
appointed constable of Bluff, Thomas M. Page, constable of Clark, and
Samuel B. Rafferty, constable of Polk Township.
Henry Watts was made assessor. Thomas Farmer, allotting justice
of Polk Township, made his report of the districting of the road leading
from the south line of the township near Richard Rupes, to Hunsaker's
ferry. Valentine Livingston was appointed overseer of road district
number one ; Rolph Amen, overseer of district number two ; C. W.
McKissick, overseer of district number three ; Asa Jackson, overseer of
district number four ; Lawrence White, overseer of district number five ;
and Henry O'Neal, overseer of district number six.
This constituted the business of the first day. The court met again
on the 15th day of April, 1845, an^ "ordered that the commissioners
appointed to select a seat of justice for this county, be requested to meet
at the house of Conrad Cliffield, on the third Monday of May next, for
the purpose of selecting said seat of justice, and that the clerk be
required to transmit a copy of this order to each of said commissioners."
FIRST COURTS ORGANIZED. 603
John James was appointed justice of the peace, and allotting justice
of Tarkio Township, and Francis M. Warmcastle was appointed county-
treasurer. The court then established the following rates for crossing
at the different ferries in the county :
Single man ..." • 6 cents
Man and horse 12 "
Two-horse (empty) wagon and team 25 "
Two-horse loaded wagon and team 37^ "
Four-horse (empty) wagon and team 37^ "
Four-horse loaded wagon and team 5° "
Six-horse (empty) wagon and team 50 "
Six-horse loaded wagon and team 75 "
Loose horses and catrle 3 "
Sheep and hogs 1
Parties operating ferries were required to pay a tax of two dollars
to the state and four dollars to the county, and were compelled to give
bond in the sum of five hundred dollars. Daniel Hunsaker, Major John
Western and Jacob Acord, were licensed to keep ferries on the Nishne-
botna,, near their residences.
T'he clerk was requested to ask the Secretary of State to furnish
Atchison County with its proper quota of books. The sheriff was ordered
to call upon the county court of Holt County, for all papers and copies
of records to which the new County of Atchison was entitled, and also
of the revenue collected by that county for county purposes, within the
limits of Atchison County, for the years 1843 and 1844, and for any
other funds, belonging to Atchison County.
Henry H. Bruce was appointed county surveyor. The rate of tax-
ation in the county was fixed at one-third of one per cent., for county
purposes. This constituted all the business of the second day, and all
that was done at the April term of the court. The court then adjourned
to the second Monday in May following.
THE CIRCUIT COURT — SEPTEMBER TERM, A. D. 1 845.
That c.ugust body, known as the circuit court, met For the first time
in Atchison County, on the first day of September, A. D. 1845.
The judge and officers present on that occasion, were Hon. Solomon
L. Leonard, Hon. Willard P. Hall, who was appointed circuit attorney,
pro tern., A. A. Bradford, clerk, and Lite T. Tate, sheriff.
The following persons were enrolled as attorneys : John Wilson,
James B. Gardenhire, T. D. Wheaton, Levi Carr, John C. Morris, D. G.
Price, P. L. Hudgens, James Foster, John W. Kelly, James Craig, Fran-
cis M. Warmcastle and Willard P. Hall.
604 HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
The list of the grand jurors returned by the sheriff for the county
was the following : George C. Thompson, Hugh Candle, Edward Busey,
Jeremiah Farmer, William Lambert, Isaac Huntsucker, A. J. Singleton,
Alexander McElroy, Jacob McKissick, Parker Applegate, H. H. Bruce,
David Jones, George Borchers, Samuel Martin, John Fowler and E. D.
Scammon. George C. Thompson was appointed foreman. Samuel R.
Rafferty was appointed deputy sheriff.
The first case upon the docket is entitled,
Thomas A. King, )
against >- Trespass.
S. C. Fugitt, et al. )
And now here comes the said plaintiff by his attorney, as also the
said defendants, and upon motion of the plaintiff, leave is given him to
amend his declaration by interlining the same, which is accordingly done,
and an alias writ for James P. Dickenson, one of said defendants, ordered
returnable to the next term of this court, and the defendants given until
the next term of this court to plead herein, until which time this cause
is continued.
Following is the case of:
James Amen ]
vs. > Bill for Divorce.
Anne Amen )
And now here comes the said plaintiff by his solicitors, and upon
his motion an alias writ was ordered returned to the next term of this
court, until which time, this cause is continued.
The next case is that of:
Thomas Akins )
against > Trespass.
S. C. Fugitt, et al. )
This case was also continued.
The next entry is as follows : " Be it remembered that on this,
the first day of September, in the year of our Lord, eighteen hundred
and forty-five, John Mathews, a native of England, and at present resid-
ing in the County of Atchison, in the State of Missouri, appeared in
open court here, and applied to be admitted to become a citizen of the
United States. And it appearing to the satisfaction of the court here,
that the said John Mathews had declared, on oath, taken in the State
of Missouri, on the 23d day of June, 1842, two years at least before his
admission, that it was his bona fide intention to become a citizen of the
United States. And it also appearing to the satisfaction of the court
here, upon the testimony of John Hughes, junior, a citizen of the United
States, that the said John Mathews has continued to reside within
the limits of the United States, and under the jurisdiction thereof, five
years at least, and one year at least immediately preceding this appli-
cation within the State of Missouri ; that during the said time of five
years, he hath resided in the United States, he has conducted himself as
FIRST COURTS ORGANIZED. 605
a man of good moral character, attached to the principles of the con-
stitution of the United States, and well disposed to the good order and
happiness of the same ; and the said John Mathews, having declared on
oath, taken in open court here, that he will support the constitution of
the United States, and that he will absolutely and entirely renounce
and abjure all allegiance, and fidelity to every foreign prince, potentate,
state and sovereignty whatever, and particularly all allegiance to the
Queen of Great Britain. The court here, therefore, admits the said
John Mathews, to become a citizen of the United States."
The above embraced all the business that was transacted by the court
on the first day of its session. The grand jury returned the following
bills of indictment : The State of Missouri vs. Andrew Farley, grand
larceny ; same vs. Mounts Dover, petit larceny ; same vs. Edmond
Furguson, petit larceny ; same vs. William Donahue, trading with
Indians ; same vs. Ika F. Rice and Rufus Hitchcock, resisting process ;
same vs. James P. Burns, Henry B. Roberts, and David Hays, unlaw-
ful assembly; same vs. Edward Hall, selling liquor without license;
same vs. Edward Hall, selling liquor on Sunday.
The original book of conveyances of Atchison County contains 461
pages, and is still in a fair state of preservation.
The first instrument of record is a
POWER OF ATTORNEY,
given by William and Elizabeth Pallet, to Charles Jefferson Choat, and
is as follows :
" Whereas, I, William Pallet and Elizabeth Pallet, my wife, citizens
of Atchison County, Missouri, and possess lands and other property in
Van Buren County, together with other property in Jackson County,
Missouri, and have due me from various persons, by judgments, bonds,
bills, notes, book accounts and otherwise, divers sums of money, and
have unsettled accounts, and am also indebted to many persons, and
whereas, it is necessary for my interest to leave some person in Van
Buren or Jackson County to represent me, with full power to do every
act in relation to my property, which I could do were I personally pres-
ent, and having the fullest confidence in the judgment, skill, prudence
and integrity of Charles Jefferson Choat, of Jackson' County, and State
of Missouri, I do, therefore, hereby nominate, constitute and appoint him
my true and lawful attorney, in my name, to sell and convey, by deed or
otherwise, in due form of law, to any person or persons, any property,
real or personal, which I now possess, in any part of the United States,
or in any estate which I may hereafter acquire in the United States, to
make any sale, disposition or arrangement, he may deem necessary, in
relation to any property which now is or hereafter shall be vested in me,
in any situation whatever ; to collect any money which may be due me,
and give sufficient acquittances and discharges ; to pay off or remove any
encumbrances which now do or may hereafter exist against any prop-
erty, which now is, or may hereafter be vested in me ; to settle and
arrange with any of my creditors and take discharges ; to prosecute any
606 HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
suit or suits, at law or equity which he may think proper to institute
for my benefit ; or in my name to defend any suit or suits which
may be brought against me, or any one holding property for
me ; to execute all deeds, agreements, releases, or instruments,
with all the solemn rites required by law, which shall bect>me
necessary for the purposes aforesaid, and, finally, in my name, to
do every act and thing, for the purposes aforesaid, which I could do
were I personally present, and I hereby ratify whatever my said attorney
shall do, or cause to be done in the premises.
In testimony whereof we have hereunto subscribed our names and
affixed our seals, this I2th day of May, A. D. 1845.
WILLIAM PALLET, [seal.]
ELIZABETH PALLET, [seal.]
Witnesses at signing : Thomas M. Page, James Harbin.
SECOND INSTRUMENT.
Land Office, Savannah, July 8, 1845.
" No. 544. We hereby certify that, pursuance of law, Robert Hus-
sey, of the county of Atchison, in the State of Missouri, has this day
made proof, under the act approved February 27, 1843, °f h's pre-emp-
tion right to the northwest quarter of Section No. 5, in township No.
64, of range No. 41, containing one hundred and fifty-six acres and seven-
teen hundredths. And on payment of the purchase money, at anytime
before the third Monday, A. D., 1847, the legal holder of this certificate
will be entitled to a full receipt for said land.
NATHANIEL BURROWES, Register.
ACHILLES JASPER, Receiver.
Know all Men by These Presents : That I, Robert Hussey, of the
county of Atchison, State of Missouri, for and in consideration of the
sum of one hundred dollars, to me in hand paid by Enoch D. Leammon,
of the county of Atchison, and State aforesaid, the receipt whereof I do
hereby acknowledge, have assigned, transferred and set over unto the
said Enoch D. Leammon all my pre-emption right and certificate of
proof hereunto annexed, under and by virtue of the acts of the legisla-
ture of said State, approved February 27, 1843, and March 13, 1845, in
and to the northwest quarter of section No. 5, of township No. 64, of
range No. 41, containing one hundred and fifty-six acres and seventeen
hundredths, situate in the county of Atchison, aforesaid. And I do
hereby request that the patent or grant for said quarter section of land,
issue in the name of the said Enoch D. Leammon.
Given under my hand and seal, this 18th day of October, A. D.,
1845. ROBERT HUSSEY, [seal.]
Attest : T. J. White, A. A. Bradford.
THIRD INSTRUMENT.
Chattel Mortgage. This deed of mortgage made and entered into,
this 15th day of September, A. D., 1845, between Sarchal C. Fugitt, of
the County of Atchison and State of Missouri, of the first part, and
Benjamin Fugitt, of the State and County aforesaid of the second part
FIRST COURTS ORGANIZED. 60/
witnesseth : That the said party of the first part, in consideration of the
better securing the payment of the sum of money specified in the prom-
issory note hereinafter mentioned, as well as in consideration of one
dollar, to him in hand paid, by said party of the second part, the receipt
whereof is hereby acknowledged, do by these presents bargain, sell and
convey unto the said party of the second part, and to his heirs and
assigns forever, the hereinafter described property, to wit: All the
machinery attached and belonging to my saw mill, grist mill, and bolting
machine, on Rock Creek, in the County of Atchison, aforesaid. To have
and to hold the same unto the said party of the second part, and to his
heirs and assigns forever; provided, however, that this conveyance and
these presents, are upon the express terms, that whereas, the said Sar-
chal C. Fugitt, has this day executed and delivered his certain prom-
issory note, unto the said Benjamin Fugitt, in words and figures as fol-
lows, to wit :
"One day after date, for value received, I promise to pay Benjamin
Fugitt, the sum of one hundred and thirty-eight dollars, as witness my
hand, this 15th day of September, A. D., 1845. S. C. FUGITT."
Now, if the said Sarchal C. Fugitt, his heirs, executors or adminis-
trators, shall well and truly pay the sum of money specified in said note,
and every part thereof, together with all the interest due thereon, if any,
when said note shall become due and payable, according to the true
tenor, meaning and effect thereof, then this conveyance and all the
estate hereby conveyed, shall be void, otherwise shall remain in full
force and virtue in law. In testimony whereof, the said party of the first
part, has hereunto set his hand and seal, the day and year first aforesaid.
S. C. FUGITT. [seal.]
Teste : F. M. Warmeastb, A. A. Bradford.
EARLY MARRIAGES.
In perusing the following short record of marriage certificates, some
one of our readers, if he is a native of Atchison County, will doubtless
recognize the names of his ancestors.
STATE OF MISSOURI,
Atchison County.
I do certify that on the 4th day of June, 1845, I joined together in
the bonds of matrimony, B. F. Benoist and Rosella Brenard, according
to the laws of this state.
Given under my hand and seal, this the 7th day of June A. D. 1845.
NOAH LEOBO, J. P.
STATE OF MISSOURI,
County of Atchison.
This is to certify that Moses Butler, of Holt County, and Margaret
Furguson, of Atchison County, were joined in marriage by me on the
27th day of March A. D. 1845.
Given under my hand this 10th day of June, A. D. 1845.
RICHARD BUCKHAM,
Minister of the Gospel.
j-SS.
6o8 HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
STATE OF MISSOURI,
Atchison County.
I, J. K. Cook, a justice of the peace, in and for Nishnebotna Town-
ship, Atchison County, Missouri, certify that on the ioth day of May,
1845, I solemnized a marriage between William Roberts and Eliza Jones,
of Atchison County, Missouri.
Given under my hand and seal, this the ioth of June, 1845.
J. K. COOK, J. P.
STATE OF MISSOURI, J XT. , . , ~ . .
Atchison County. \ Nlshneb°t™ Township.
I, J. K. Cook, a justice of the peace for Nishnebotna Township,
Atchison County, Missouri, certify that on the 29th day of May, 1845, I
solemnized a marriage between David Hays and Mary Ann Markwood,
of the county and state aforesaid.
Given under my hand and seal, this the ioth day of June, 1845.
J. K. COOK, J. P.
STATE OF MISSOURI,
County of Atchison, f ss'
This may certify that Daniel James and Martha Bailey, both of
Atchison County, were joined in marriage bv me, on the 24th day of
July, A. D. 1845.
Given under my hand, this 25th day of July, A. D. 1845.
RICHARD BUCKHAM, Minister of the Gospel.
STATE OF MISSOURI, {
County of Atchison, j
This may certify that on the 24th day of July, A. D. 1845,
Joshua Kellison and Eliza Handley, both of the county of Atchison,
were joined in marriage by me.
Given under my hand this 25th dav of July, A. D. 1845.
RICHARD BUCKHAM, Minister of the Gospel.
Married, on the 21st of September, one thousand eight hundred
and forty-five, Daniel Burrell to Susana Robinett, both of the county of
Atchison, and State of Missouri. E. S. NEEDLES, C. S.
Be it remembered, that on .the 16th day of October, A. D. 1845, 1,
John Liggit, an acting justice of the peace in and for the county of
Atchison, and State of Missouri, solemnized a marriage contract between
Simeon Loveland and Emily Farley, both of the county aforesaid.
Given under my hand and seal, this the 16th day of October, A. D.
1845. JOHN LIGGIT, J. P.
Solemnized a marriage between J. Wesley Cooper and Hannah
"Walden, on the 27th day of November, 1845.
This February 23, 1846. A. KIME,
Justice of the Peace.
Married, by the undersigned, on the 13th day of July, 1846, Mr.
^Borcel Greenmore to Miss Catharine Elizabeth Wells.
Given under my hand this the 6th day of August, 1846.
JOHN S. SCOTT, Justice of the Peace.
FIRST COURTS ORGANIZED. 609
STATE OF MISSOURI, )
ATCHISON COUNTY. j
March the 2d, 1847. To the Clerk of the county and State afore-
said, greeting:
I do hereby certify, that on the 2d day of December last, I did
officiate in the solemnizing of the rites of matrimony, according to the
authority vested in me, a regular ordained preacher of the Gospel, of the
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, and according to the law
of the State and county aforesaid, between Harvy H. Rawlins and Mar-
get Frost, and forward the same to be recorded according to law.
S. B. FROST, Elder of the Church L. D. S.
In 1845, there were nine marriage certificates recorded ; in 188 1,
one hundred and sixty-five.
The marriages here recorded thirty-seven years ago, the parties, if
still living, would be about three score years and ten. In those primi-
tive days, marriages were generally the result of love. There was not
only a union of hands, but a union of hearts. The pioneer maiden made
the faithful wife, and the sturdy backwoodsman, the fond and trusted
husband.
" From that day forth, in peace and joyous bliss,
They lived together long without debate;
Nor private jars, nor spite of enemies,
Could shake the safe assurance of their state."
39
CHAPTER V.
FIRST SETTLEMENTS.
IMPORTANCE OF FIRST BEGINNINGS— WHEN AND WHERE COMMENCED.
Every nation does not possess an authentic account of its origin,
neither do all communities have the correct data whereby it is possible
to accurately predicate the condition of their first beginnings. Never-
theless, to be intensely interested in such things is characteristic of the
race, and it is particularly the province of the historian to deal with first
causes. Should these facts, as is often the case, be lost in the mythical
traditions of the past, the chronicler invades the realm of the ideal and
compels his imagination to paint the missing picture. The patriotic
Roman was not content till he had found the " First Settlers," and then
he was satisfied, although they were found in the very undesirable com-
pany of a wolf, and located on a drift, which the receding waters of the
Tiber had permitted them to pre-empt.
One of the advantages pertaining to a residence in a new country
and one seldom appreciated, is the fact that we can go back to the first
beginnings. We are thus enabled, not only to trace results to their
causes, but also to grasp the facts which have contributed to form and
mold these causes. We observe that a state or county has attained a
certain position, and we at once try to trace out the reasons for this
position in its early settlement and surroundings, in the class of men
by whom it was peopled, and in the many chances and changes which
have wrought out results in all the recorded deeds of mankind. In the
history of Atchison County we may trace its earlier settlers to their
homes in the Eastern States and in the countries of the Old World. We
may follow the course of the hardy backwoodsman of the " Buckeye " or
the " Hoosier" State, or from Kentucky and Virginia on his way west
" to grow up with the country," trusting only to his strong arm and his
willing heart to work out his ambition of a home for himself and wife and
a competence for his children. Again, we will see that others have been
animated with the impulse to " move on," after making themselves a part
of the community, and have sought the newer parts of the extreme west,
where civilization had not penetrated, or returned to their native soil.
We shall find much of that distinctive New England character which has
FIRST SETTLEMENTS. 6l I
contributed so many men and women to other portions of our state and
the west ; also, we shall find many an industrious native of Germany or
the British Isles, and a few of the industrious and economical French —
all of whom have contributed to modify types of men already existing here.
Those who have noted the career of the descendants of these brave,
strong men, in subduing the wilds and overcoming the obstacles and
withstanding the hardships of this country in early times, can but admit
they are worthy sons of illustrious sires.
The first white settlement made within the limits of what is now
known as Atchison County, was effected in the spring of 1839, by Hank
B. Roberts and Thomas Wilson, single men. They settled on what was
afterwards known as the town site of Sonora. Roberts was originally
from Illinois, and Wilson was from Clay County, Missouri. Roberts had
once been a soldier in the United States army, stationed at Fort Leav-
enworth, Kansas, from whence he came to this county. In the spring of
1839, they erected a cabin and put in a small crop.
At the time of their coming, however, there were two white men
named Hughes and Alley, who were already on the ground, in the
capacity of Indian traders, but were not permanent settlers. Roberts
and Wilson may be called, then, the pioneer settlers of Atchison County.
Roberts continued to farm for a few years, when he sold and locatdd
about one mile east of Sonora, and finally removed to Nebraska, and
now resides on the McKissick Island, in the Missouri River, near the town
of Hamburg, Iowa.
Callaway Millsaps arrived in the county on the 1 ith day of Novem-
ber, 1839, and took up his abode also on the present town site of Sonora.
He was originally from Cocke County, East Tennessee, where he was born
on September 26, 18 15. He emigrated to Saline County, Missouri,
removed to Clay, Ray, Davis, back to Ray, where he lived until the
spring of 1839, when he came here. He resided at Sonora until August.
1840, and then located two and a half miles west of the present town of
Rock Port, on the Nishnebotna River, where he remained until the fall of
1 88 1, when he became a citizen of Rock Port, where he still resides, fol-
lowing mercantile pursuits.
In company with Mr. Millsaps, came Charles Beauchamp and Archi-
bald and Alexander Handley, from Clay County, all in the employ of
Mr. Millsaps. Archibald is dead, Alexander lives in Brownsville,
Nebraska, and Beauchamp went to Tennessee. Mr. Millsaps, in speak-
ing of the winters of 1839 and 1840, informed the writer that they were
the coldest he has ever experienced in this latitude, the snow remaining
all winter from two and a-half to three feet in depth, and the ice in the
Missouri River from two and a-half to three feet thick.
He says that the most cheerful sight that he saw during the spring
of 1840, after passing through the long, severe winter, was a steamboat
6l2 HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
which landed at Sonora — a large, side-wheel steamer— for the purpose of
" wooding." Hank Roberts was the proprietor of the wood yard, his
being the only one between Sonora and Fort Leavenworth. Wood was
sold then at five dollars per cord, taken from the bank. He says that all
the inhabitants of the settlement, including his wife and children, gath-
ered on the bank to look at the boat.
In the spring ot 1840 John Mathews, an Englishman, settled at
English Grove (named after him), about eight miles southeast of Rock
Port. He and his wife have been dead many years, dying on the farm
they first entered. He lived on the road leading from St. Joseph to
Council Bluffs, and kept a house of entertainment.
In the same township and at what was afterwards called Irish
Grove, settled a colony of Irishmen, among whom was Martin Murphy,
Sr., and his son Martin, who now resides in San Jose, California. These
men settled at Irish Grove in 1841, but went to California in 1844. The
following sketch of Martin Murphy, which we copy from a California
paper, will be read with interest. Mr. Murphy is one of the wealthy and
influential citizens of that state.
" MARTIN MURPHY
was born in County Wexford, Ireland, on the 9th day of November,
1807. His family was one of the oldest in Ireland, and belonged to
that class which has made the Green Isle so famous in history. His
father was a well-to-do farmer, but of a rather adventurous disposition,
and, in 1828, when the subject of this sketch was twenty-one years of
age, he resolved to try the New World, and emigrated to Canada,
settling at the Township of Frampton, about thirty miles south of the
City of Quebec. When he came to America, Martin, Sr., brought with
him his family, excepting Martin Jr., his oldest son, and one daughter,
Mrs. Miller, now residing at San Rafael. At that time his family consisted
of seven children, to wit : Martin, James, Bernard, John, Daniel, Ellen
(now Mrs. Weber, of Stockton), and Mrs. James Miller. Martin, Jr.,
was left behind in Ireland when his father came to America. From a
boy he had displayed thrifty habits, and at the time his father emigrated
he was the owner of a small farm, which circumstance speaks louder'
than words for his business capacity. Land in the old country is not to
be had so easily as land in America, and Martin's ownership of a few
acres on Irish soil at the age of twenty-one years was an indication of
the talent, industry and ability which in future years was to raise him to
the position of one of the wealthiest men and largest land owners in
the United States. Eight years after his father left Ireland, Martin
concluded to follow him, and, having an opportunity to sell his Irish
farm to advantage, he parted with it and he and his sister came to
America. He settled in Quebec, where he engaged in business and
remained for three years. But his mind was of an agricultural turn, and
he soon became tired of city life. On the 18th day of July, 1831, Martin
Murphy was united in the holy bonds of matrimony to Miss Mary Bulger,
the ceremony being performed by Rev. Father McMahon, in the Que-
FIRST SETTLEMENTS. 613
bee Cathedral. Miss Bulger was an Irish girl, born in County Wexford
of an old and highly respected family. Martin had known her in Ire-
land and knew her worth. Fifty years has changed her appearance
from the laughing girl of twenty to the sober matron, the tender mother
of a large family, but it has not changed her loving heart nor dimmed
those virtues which then made her the favorite of all wh'o knew her.
Immediately after their marriage the young couple moved to Frampton,
the township in which Mr. Murphy's father had settled, and, having pur-
chased a piece of timber land, set about clearing it and founding a
home. He lived at Frampton about ten years and during this time
four sons were born, to wit : James, Martin, Patrick W. and Bernard D.,
the last named two are still living and are well known to our readers, in
fact they have a state wide reputation.
About this time stories began to be circulated in their neighbor-
hood of the wonderful fertility of the soil in the far west and these
reports were specially growing in regard to the territory of Missouri.
Martin Murphy, Sr., did not exactly like the British style ot government
in the provinces, and determined to "go west" into the frontiers of the
young republic. He sold out his property and taking his family went
by way of the St. Lawrence to Cleveland, Ohio, thence by canal to
Portsmouth, Ohio, thence down the Ohio to where Cairo now stands,
thence up the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers to near the present site of
St. Joseph. At that time there was no sign of the present bustling
city ; nothing marked it as different from a thousand other places except
a mill seat where corn was ground for the settlers. But Mr. Murphy
was not looking for cities. He had procured a tract of land on what was
known as the Platte Purchase, in Holt County, now Atchison County,
and thither he conveyed his family, traveling in wagons after leaving
the river. He was soon followed (in 1842) by Martin and his family,
who also located on the " Purchase." It was on the Platte Purchase that
their first daughter, Ann Elizabeth, was born. Here they found land in
abundance and a fertile soil, but the prevalence of malarial fevers ren-
dered it undesirable as a place of residence. Added to this was the
absence of educational facilities, which rendered the location to a man
ambitious of giving his family every advantage, especially undesirable
as a residence. While they were looking about for a country where they
could find the advantages which Missouri did not at that time afford,
they were visited by Rev. Father Hookins, a Catholic priest who for
years had been engaged in missionary work among the Indians, his field
extending even as far as the Pacific. He told them of California, of its
beautiful valleys, its genial sunshine, its fertile soil and health-giving
climate. Martin, Sr. did not long hesitate. He was a man of great
energy and undaunted courage and the magnitude of a journey of
thousands of miles across plains, mountains and rivers, through an
unknown country did not give him a moment's uneasiness. This was
long before the discovery of gold and the energy of the Murphys will be
better appreciated when it is understood that it was not wealth, but
health, they were seeking. Having made up his mind to come to Cal-
ifornia, Mr. Murphy did not take a long time in preparing for his jour-
ney. They sold their land, made up a party and started. Going to an
agricultural country for purposes of agriculture, they took what stock
they could with them. Their rendezvous was Council Bluffs, and here
614 HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
the expedition was organized. It consisted of twenty-six persons, all told.
Martin Murphy, Sr., was the commander and head of the expedition,
and Captain Stevens was pilot. There was no road, trail or track by
which the emigrants could find their way, but they were men of intelli-
gence and determination and they made their journey in spite of all
obstacles.
We regret that our space will not permit us to give a detailed account
of the adventures of this little band of pioneers. Peculiar interest attaches
to it from the fact that it was the first party that crossed the mountains
into California with wagons and that introduced American cattle on this
coast. They followed substantially the route over which the Union and
Central Pacific Railroads are built. They came north of Salt Lake,
stopping at the sink of the Humboldt. They had no trouble with the
Indians, nor did they suffer for want of food. They were caught in the
mountains by the snow, but having made all preparations they were
comparatively comfortable. On the other side they fell in with an
Indian named Truckee, who, by signs, informed them that over the
mountains was level land and horned cattle. They named the Truckee
lake and river for this Indian. It has been customary to confound the
Murphy party with the Donner party. The Murphy party crossed the
mountains in 1844, the Donners came about the same route but not until
two years- after A shed that Shallenberger built in 1844 served as a
shelter to a portion of the Donner party in 1846.
The Indian, Truckee, guided the party safely down the Truckee
River. There was no road or trail or bridges of any kind, but difficult
as the route was, they managed to get through without serious loss. On
this side they came down the Yuba River and went into winter quarters.
Here a daughter was born to Mr. and Mrs. Murphy. This daughter was
the first American child born in California. • She was afterwards married
to William P. Taaffe, a prosperous San Francisco merchant. Leaving
the party on the Yuba, Martin and several other of the men came down
to Sutter's Fort, at New Helvetia, now Sacramento, for the purpose of
prospecting the county, with a view to locating. They got down into
the country just in the heat of the Micheltorena rebellion, and were
pressed into the army. They went with the troops as far south as Sole-
dad, and here Martin represented that their families were in the mount-
ains and probably destitute and suffering, and thus obtained a permit to
return with supplies. When he got back on the Yuba he found that his
people were not in very sreat want — they had plenty of cattle and flour
and other provisions. Martin brought his family down into the valley
and purchased four leagues of land from a German named Rufus. It was
situated on the Cosumnes River, near Stockton. ' Here he settled and
remained until '49. When gold was discovered he went to the mines,
but made no success and soon returned to his ranch. Here he entered
into the business of cattle raising, and conducted a successful business,
selling stock to the miners. While living on the Cosumnes two daughters
were born, Mary Ann, now Mrs. Richard T. Carrol, and Ellen, now Mrs.
J. A. Arques, of Lawrence Station. In 1849 he- removed to this county,
having purchased from the Castros the Rancho Pastoria de las Borregas,
containing 5,000 acres. Here James T., the youngest son, was born in
1852. Since he has been in California, Mr. Murphy has devoted his
attention mostly to cattle raising, and has been eminently successful.
FIRST SETTLEMENTS. 6l 5
He has added rancho after rancho to his landed possessions, and his
immense herds cover the hills of Santa Clara, San Luis Obispo and
Santa Barbara Counties. He also owns large quantities of valuable
property in the cities of San Francisco and San Jose. Notwithstanding
their great wealth, Mr. and Mrs. Murphy could never be induced to reside
elsewhere than in their country home. Here he presides over his house-
hold like one of the olden patriarchs, superintending his flocks and dis-
pensing a generous hospitality to all who come within the shadow of his
gates. Their hands are always open to the poor and their bounty is
gratefully remembered by thousands.
Of their children it is scarcly necessary for us to speak. The boys
are worthy sons of such an honorable sire, and the daughters inherit all
the virtues of their most estimable mother. The sons have all won places
of distinction in the history of the state, and the daughters are examples
of the highest type of true womanhood."
John Bender came from Platte County, Missouri, in the fall of 1842,
and located on the east bank of the Missouri, about one mile above
where the town of Brownville, Nebraska, now stands. Like thousands
of others, he became smitten with the gold mania, which prevailed so
universally over this country in 1849, and went to California. He was a
German.
In the fall of 1842, one month after the arrival of John Bender, came
George Harmon, from Illinois, and settled at Sonora. After remaining
here a few months, he removed to a place opposite Brownville, Nebraska,
where he lived until the jail of 188 1, when he located in Tecumseh,
Nebraska, where he now resides.
Late in the fall of 1842, E. D. Scammon, from Lafayette County,
Missouri, located about two miles southwest of Rock Port, where he still
lives.
About the same time came William Hunter, from Clinton County,
Missouri, and located- about three miles southwest of Rock Port, on Rock
Creek, at a place since known as " Hunter's Bridge," where he now
resides at the advanced age of about eighty years. Mr. Hunter has been
One of the prominent men of the county, having served the people of
Atchison County in many ways, and was one of the county court justices
from 1858 to 1865.
Elijah S. Needles immigrated from Indiana, in 1843, and settled the
adjoining farm to William, Hunter, and then moved about a mile south-
west and located on the Nishnebotna, at a place now known as
" Needles Bridge." Like Mr. Hunter, he has been a useful and influen-
tial citizen of the county. He was appointed justice of the county court
in 1845, by the governor of the state, and has filled the same position at
different periods since.
Among other settlers was Richard Rupe, from Lafayette County,
Missouri, who was also a judge of the county court, and with him came
Samuel Rennick, a stock trader, who is now dead. Mr. Rupe settled
6i6
HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
what is called " Rupe's Grove," about six miles southeast of Rock Port,
where he still lives.
About 1845 Nathan Meek commenced the building of a grist mill
on the present town site of Rock Port, on Rock Creek, and about the
same time, or during 1843, John Fowler erected a saw mill, also on Rock
Creek, two and a half miles south of Rock Port. These were the first
mills erected in the county.
One of the earliest settlers in the county was, perhaps, Joseph Ber-
nard, of whom we will speak more fully in our history of Buchanan
Township. Other settlers coming soon after, and at a later period, will
be mentioned more fully in the succeeding chapters of this work — in
our history of the different townships.
CHAPTER VI.
PIONEER LIFE.
THE PIONEERS' PECULIARITIES-CONVENIENCES AND INCOXVE-NIENCES-THE HISTOR-
ICAL LOG CABIN-AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENTS-HOUSEHOLD FURNITURE-
PIONEER CORN-BREAD— HAND MILLS AND HOMINY BLOCKS-GOING TO MILL-
TRADING PJINTS-BEE-TREES-SHOOTING MATCHES AND QUILTIN^S .
In the heart of the grand old forest,
A thousand miles to the West,
Where a stream gushed out from the hillside,
They halted at last for rest.
And the silence of ages listened
To the ax stroke loud and clear,
Divining a kingly presence
In the tread of the pioneer.
He formed ot the prostrate branches
A home that was strong and good ;
The roof was of reeds from the streamlet,
The chimney he built of wood,
And there by the winter fireside,
While the flame up the chimney roared,
He spoke of the good time coming
When plenty should crown his board —
When the forest should fade like a vision,
And over the hillside and plain
The orchard would spring in its beauty,
And the fields of golden grain.
And to-night he sits by the fireside
In a mansion quaint and old,
With his children's children round him,
Having reaped a thousand fold.
During the decade which comprehends the first ten years of its his-
tory, the settlement of Atchison County was in its earliest stage of
pioneer life. All that can be known of this period must be drawn,
chiefly, from tradition.
In those days the people took no care to preserve history — they
were too busily engaged in making it. Historically speaking, those
were the most important years of the county, for it was then the founda-
tion and corner stones of all the county's history and prosperity were
laid. Yet, this history was not remarkable for stirring events. It was,
however, a time of self reliance and brave, persevering toil ; of privations
6l8 HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
cheerfully endured through faith in a good time coming. The experi-
ence of one settler was just about the same as that of others. They
were almost invariably poor, they faced the same hardships and stood
generally on an equal footing.
All the experience of the early pioneers of this county goes far to
confirm the theory that, after all, happiness is pretty evenly balanced in
this world. They had their privations and hardships, but they had also
their own peculiar joys. If they were poor, they were free from the
burden of pride and vanity ; free, also, from the anxiety and care that
always attends the possession of wealth. Other people's eyes cost them
nothing. If they had few neighbors, they were on the best of terms with
those they had. Envy, jealousy and strife had not crept in. A common
interest and a common sympathy bound them together with the strong-
est ties. They were a little world to themselves, and the good feeling
that prevailed was all the stronger because they were so far removed
from the great world of the east.
Among these pioneers there was realized such a community of
interest that there existed a community of feeling. There were no
castes, except an aristocracy of benevolence, and no nobility, except a
nobility of generosity. They were bound together with such a strong
bond of sympathy, inspired by the consciousness of common hardship,
that they were practically communists.
Neighbors did not even wait for an invitation or request to help one
another. Was a settler's cabin burned or blown down ? No sooner was
the fact known throughout the neighborhood than the settlers assembled
to assist the unfortunate one to rebuild his home. They came with as
little hesitation, and with as much alacrity as though they were all mem-
bers of the same family, and bound together by ties of blood. One
man's interest was every other man's interest. Now this general
state of feeling among the pioneers was by no means peculiar to this
county, although it was strongly illustrated here. It prevailed generally
throughout the west during the time of the early settlement. The very
nature of things taught the settlers the necessity of dwelling together in
this spirit. It was their only protection. They had come far away from
the well established reign of law, and entered a new country, where the
civil authority was still feeble and totally unable to afford protection and
redress grievances. Here the settlers lived some little time before there
was an officer of the law in the county. Each man's protection was in
the good will and friendship of those about him, and the thing any man
might well dread was the ill will of the community. It was more terrible
than the law. It was no uncommon thing in the early times for hardened
men, who had no fears of jails or penitentiaries, to stand in great fear of
the indignation of a pioneer community. Such were some of the charac-
teristics of Atchison County.
riONEER LIFE. 619
HOUSE AND HOME COMFORTS. •
The first buildings in the county were not just like the log cabins
that immediately succeeded them. The latter required some help and a
good deal of labor to build. The very first buildings constructed were a
cross between " hoop cabins " and Indian bark huts. As soon as enough
men could be got together for a " cabin raising," then log cabins were
in style. Many a pioneer can remember the happiest time of his life as
that when he lived in one of these homely but comfortable old cabins.
A window with sash and glass was a rarity, and was an evidence of
wealth and aristocracy which but few could support. They were often
made with greased paper put over the window, which admitted a little
light, but more often there was nothing whatever over it, or the cracks
between the logs, without either chinking or daubing, were the depend-,
ence for light and air. The doors were fastened with old-fashioned
wooden latches, and for a friend, or neighbor, or traveler, the string
.always hung out, for the pioneers of the west were hospitable, and enter-
tained visitors to the best of their ability. It is noticeable with what
affection the pioneers speak of their old log cabins. It may be doubted
whether palaces ever sheltered happier hearts than those homely cabins.
The following is a good description of these old landmarks, but few of
which now remain :
" These were of round logs, notched together at the corners, ribbed
with poles, and covered with boards split from a tree. A puncheon floor
was then laid down, a hole cut in the end and a stick chimney run up.
A clapboard door is made, a window is opened by cutting out a hole in
the side or end two feet square, and finished without glass or transpa-
rency. The house is then ' chinked ' or ' daubed ' with mud. The cabin
is now ready to go into. The household and kitchen furniture is adjusted,
and life on the frontier is begun in earnest.
"The one-legged bedstead, now a piece of furniture of the past, was
made by cutting a stick the proper length, boring holes at one end one
and a-half inches in diameter, at right angles, and the same sized holes
■corresponding with those in the logs of the cabin the length and breadth
desired for the bed, in which are inserted poles.
" Upon these poles clapboards are laid, or linn bark is interwoven
•consecutively from pole to pole. Upon this primitive structure the bed
is laid. The convenience of a cook-stove was not thought of, but instead
the cooking was done by the faithful housewife in pots, kettles and skil-
lets, on and about the big fire-place, and very frequently over and around,
too, the distended pedal extremities of the legal sovereign of the house-
hold, while the latter was indulging in the luxuries of a cob pipe, and
■discussing the probable results of a contemplated elk hunt about the
.Nishnebotna and Tarkio Rivers."
620 HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
These log cabins were really not so bad after all.
The people of to-day, familiarized with " Charter Oak " cooking
stoves and ranges, would be ill at home were they compelled to prepare
a meal with no other conveniences than those provided in a pioneer
cabin. Rude fire-places were built in chimneys composed of mud and
sticks, or at best, undressed stone. These fire-places served for heating
and cooking purposes ; also for ventilation. Around the cheerful blaze
of this fire the meal was prepared, and these meals were not so bad after
all. As elsewhere remarked, they were not such as would tempt the
epicure, but such as afforded the most healthful nourishment for a race
of people who were driven to the exposure and hardships which were
their lot. We hear of few dyspeptics in those days. Another advantage
of these cooking arrangements was that the stovepipe never fell down,
and the pioneer was spared being subjected to the most trying of ordeals,
and one probably more productive of profanity than any other.
Before the country became supplied with mills which were of easy
access, and even in some instances afterward, hominy-blocks were used.
These exist now only in the memory of the oldest settlers, but as relics
of the "long ago," a description of them will not be uninteresting:
A tree of suitable size, say from eighteen inches to two feet in
diameter, was selected in the forest and felled to the ground. If a cross-
cut saw happened, to be convenient, the tree was "butted" — that is,
the kerf end was sawed off so that it would stand steady when ready for
use. If there were no cross-cut saw in the neighborhood, strong arms
and sharp axes were ready to do the work. Then the proper length,
from four to five feet, was measured off, and sawed or cut square. When
this was done the block was raised on end and the work of cutting out a
hollow in one of the ends was commenced. This was generally done
with a common chopping axe. Sometimes a smaller one was used.
When the cavity was judged to be large enough, a fire was built in it and
carefully watched till the ragged edges were burned away. When com-
pleted, the hominy block somewhat resembled a druggist's mortar.
Then a pestle, or something to crush the corn, was necessary. This was
usually made from a suitably sized piece of timber, with an iron wedge
attached, the large end down. This completed the machinery, and the
block was ready for use. Sometimes one hominy-block accommodated
an entire neighborhood, and was the means of staying the hunger of
many mouths.
In giving the bill of fare above we should have added meat, for of
this they had plenty. Deer would be seen daily trooping over the
prairie in droves of from twelve to twenty, and sometimes as many as
fifty would be seen grazing together. Elk were also found, and wild
turkeys and prairie chickens without number. Bears were not unknown
Music of the natural order was not wanting, and every night the pio-
PIONEER LIEE. 62 1
neers were lulled to rest by the screeching of panthers and the howling
of wolves. When the dogs ventured too far out from the cabins at night,
they would be driven back by the wolves chasing them up to the very
cabin doors. Trapping wolves became quite a profitable business after
the state began to pay a bounty for wolf scalps.
All the streams of water also abounded in fish, and a good supply
of these could be procured by the e.\pense of a little time and labor.
Those who years ago improved the fishing advantages of the country
never tire of telling of the dainty meals which the streams afforded.
Sometimes large parties would get together, and, having been provided
with cooking utensils and facilities for camping out, would go off some
distance and spend weeks together. No danger then of being ordered
off a man's premises or arrested for trespass. One of the peculiar cir-
cumstances that surrounded the early life of the pioneers was a strange
loneliness. The solitude seemed most to oppress them. Months would
pass during which they would scarcely see a human face outside their
own families.
On occasions of special interest, such as election, holiday celebra-
tions, or camp-meetings, it was nothing unusual for a few settlers who
lived in the immediate neighborhood of the meeting to entertain scores
of those who had come from a distance.
Rough and rude though the surroundings may have been, the pio-
neers were none the less honest, sincere, hospitable and kind in their
relations. It is true, as a rule, and of universal application, that there is
a greater degree of real humanity among the pioneers of any country
than there is when the country becomes old and rich. If there is an
absence of refinement, that absence is more than compensated in the
presence of generous hearts and truthful lives. They are bold, indus-
trious, and enterprising. Generally speaking, they are earnest thinkers,
and possessed of a diversified fund of useful, practical information. Asa
rule they do not arrive at a conclusion by means of a course of rational
reasoning, but, nevertheless, have a queer way of getting at the facts.
They hate cowards and shams of every kind, and above all things false-
hoods and deception, and cultivate an integrity which seldom permits
them to prostitute themselves to a narrow policy of imposture. Such
were the characteristics of the men and women who pioneered the way
to the country of the Sac and Fox Indians. Many of them yet remain,
and although some of them are among the wealthy and most substantial
of the people of the county, they have not forgotten their old time hos-
pitality and free and easy ways. In contrasting the present social
affairs with pioneer times, one has well said :
"Then, if a house was to be raised, every man 'turned out,' and
often women, too, and while the men piled up the logs that fashioned
the primitive dwelling-place, the women prepared the dinner. Some-
622 HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
times it was cooked by big log fires near the site where the cabin was
building ; in other cases it was prepared at the nearest cabin, and at the
proper hour was carried to where the men were at work. If one man in-
the neighborhood killed a beef, a pig or a deer, every other family in the
neighborhood was sure to receive a piece.
" We were all on an equality. Aristocratic feelings were unknown?
and would not have been tolerated. What one had we all had, and that
was the happiest period of my life. But to-day, if you lean against a
neighbor's shade tree he will charge you for it. If you are poor and fall
sick, you may lie and suffer almost unnoticed and unattended, and prob-
ably go to the poor-house ; and just as like as not the man who would
report you to the authorities as a subject of county care would charge
the county for making the report."
Of the old settlers, some are still living in the county, in the enjoy-
ment of the fortunes they founded in early times, "having reaped an
hundred fold." Others have passed away, and many of them will not
long survive Several of them have gone to the Far West, and are still
playing the part of pioneers. But wherever they may be, whatever fate
may betide them, it is but truth to say that they were excellent men, as
a class, and have left a deep and enduring impression upon the county
and the state. "They builded better than they knew." They were, of
course, men of activity and energy, or they would never have decided to
face the trials of pioneer life. They were almost invariably poor, but
the lessons taught them in the early days were of such a character that
few of them have remained so. They made their mistakes in business
pursuits like other men. Scarcely one of them but allowed golden
opportunities, for pecuniary profit, at least, to pass by unheeded. What
are now some of the choicest farms in Atchison County were not taken
up by the pioneers, who preferred land of very much less value. They
have seen many of their prophesies fulfilled, and others come to naught.
Whether they have attained the success they desired, their own hearts
can tell.
To one looking over the situation then, from the standpoint now, it
certainly does not seem very cheering, and yet, from the testimony of
some old pioneers, it was a most enjoyable time, and we of the present
live in degenerate days.
At that time it certainly would have been much more difficult for
those old settlers to understand how it could be possible that thirty-five
years hence the citizens at the present age of the county's progress
would be complaining of hard times and destitution, and that they them-
selves, perhaps, would be among that number, than it is now for us to
appreciate how they could feel so cheerful and contented with their
meagre means and humble lot of hardships and deprivations during
those early, pioneer days.
PIONEER LIFE. 623
The secret was, doubtless, that they lived within their means, how-
ever limited, not coveting more of luxury and comfort than their income
would afford, and the naturul result was prosperity and contentment,
with always room for one more stranger at the fireside, and a cordial
welcome to a place at their table for even the most hungry guest.
Humanity, with all its ills, is, nevertheless, fortunately characterized
with remarkable flexibility, which enables it to accommodate itself to
circumstances. After all, the secret of happiness lies in one's ability to
accommodate himself to his surroundings.
It is sometimes remarked that there were no places for public enter-
tainment till later years. The fact is, there were many such places, in
fact, every cabin was a place of entertainment, and these hotels were
sometimes crowded to their utmost capacity. On such occasions, when
bedtime came, the first family would take the back part of the cabin, and
so continue filling up by families, until the limit was reached. The
young men slept in the wagons outside. In the morning, those nearest
the door arose first, and went outside to dress. Meals were served on
the outside of a wagon, and consisted of cornbread, buttermilk and fat
pork, and occasionally coffee, to take away the morning chill. On Sun-
days for a change, they had bread made of wheat "tramped out" on the
ground by horses, cleaned with a sheet and pounded by hand. This was-
the best, the most fastidious they could obtain, and this only one day in
seven. Not a moment of time was lost. It was necessary that they
should raise enough sod corn to take them through the coming winter,
and also get as much breaking done as possible. They brought with
them enough corn to give the horses an occasional feed, in order to keep
them able for hard work, but in the main they had to live on prairie
grass. The cattle got nothing else than grass.
AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENTS.
An interesting comparison might be drawn between the conveni-
ences which now make the life of a farmer a comparatively easy one and
the almost total lack of such conveniences in early days. A brief des-
cription of the accommodations possessed by the first tillers of this soil
will now be given.
Let the children of such illustrious sires draw their own compari-
sons, and may the result of these comparisons.silence the voice of com-
plaint which so often is heard in the land.
The only plows they had at first were what they styled "bull plows. ""
The mould-boards were generally of wood, but in some cases they were
half wood and half iron. The man who had one of the latter description
was looked upon as something of an aristocrat. But these old " bull
plows " did good service, and they must be awarded the honor of first
624 HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
stirring the soil of Atchison County, as well as that of all the first class
counties of this state.
The amount of money which some farmers annually invest in agri-
cultural implements would have kept the pioneer farmer in farming uten-
sils during a whole lifetime. The pioneer farmer invested little money
in such things, because he had little money to spare, and then again
because the expensive machinery now used would not have been at all
adapted to the requirements of pioneer farming. The "bull plow" was
probably better adapted to the fields abounding in stumps and roots
than would the modern sulky plow have been, and the old-fashioned
wheat cradle did better execution than would a modern harvester under
like circumstances. The prairies were seldom settled till after the pio-
neer period, and that portion of the country which was the hardest to
put under cultivation, and the most difficult to cultivate after it was
improved, first was cultivated ; it is well for the country that such was
the case, for the present generation, familiarized as it is with farming
machinery of such complicated pattern, would scarcely undertake the
clearing off of dense forests and cultivating the ground with the kind of
implements their fathers used, and which they would have to use for
some kind of work.
MILLS AND TRADING POINTS.
Notwithstanding the fact that some of the early settlers were ener-
getic millwrights, who employed all their energy, and what means they
possessed, in erecting mills at a few of the many favorite mill-sites which
abound in the county, yet going to mill in those days, when there were
no roads, no bridges, no ferry boats, and scarcely any conveniences for
traveling, was no small task, where so many rivers and treacherous
streams were to be crossed, and such a trip was often attended with great
danger to the traveler when these streams were swollen beyond their
banks. Rut even under these circumstances, some of the more adven-
turous and ingenious ones, in case of emergency, found the ways and
means by which to cross the swollen streams, and succeed in making
the trip. At other times, again, all attempts failed them, and they were
compelled to remain at home until the waters subsided, and depend on
the generosity of their fortunate neighbors.
Some stories are related with regard to the danger, perils and hard-
ships of forced travels to mills, and for provisions, which remind one of
forced marches in military campaigns, and when we hear of the heroic
and daring conduct of the hardy pioneers in procuring bread for his
loved ones, we think that here were heroes more valiant than any of the
renowned soldiers of ancient or modern times.
During the first two years, and perhaps not until some time after-
ward, there was not a public highway established and worked on which
PIONEER LIFE. 625
they could travel ; and as the settlers were generally far apart and mills
and trading points were at great distances, going from place to place
was not only very tedious, but attended sometimes with great danger.
Not a railroad had yet entered the state, and there was scarcely a
thought in the minds of the people here of such a thing ever reaching
the wild west ; and, if thought of, people had no conception of what a
revolution a railroad and telegraph line through the county would cause
in its progress. Then there was less than 5,000 miles of railroad in the
United State?, and not a mile of track laid this side of the Ohio, while
now there are over 100,000 miles of railroad, extending their trunks
and branches in every direction over our land.
Supplies in those days were obtained at Liberty, Clay County.
Mail was carried by river and wagon transportation, and telegraph dis-
patches were transmitted by the memory and lips of emigrants coming
in, or strangers passing through.
Flour was obtained at the One Hundred and Two Mills northeast of
Savannah, sixty miles distant.
Nathan Meeks erected the first grist mill in 1843, on the present
town site of Rock Port, on Rock Creek. The mill had no gearing, the
burrs being located over the wheel, and running with the same velocity
as the wheel. It was a frame mill, one story high, and had a capacity of
150 bushels a day. People came from far and near, attracted by the
reports of the completion of the mill with their grist, so that for days
before it was ready for work, the creek bottom was dotted over with
hungry and patient men, waiting until it was ready to do their work, so
that they might return with their meal and flour to supply their families
and those of their neighbors, thus enduring the hardships of camp life
in those early days in order that they might be able to secure the simple
necessaries of life, devoid of all luxuries.
HUNTING AND TRAPPING.
The sports and means of recreation were not so numerous and
varied among the early settlers as at present, but they were more enjoy-
able and invigorating than now.
Hunters now-a-days would be only too glad to be able to find and
enjoy their favorable opportunity for hunting and fishing, and even
itravel many miles, counting it rare pleasure to spend a few weeks on
the water courses and wild prairies in hunt and chase and fishing frolics,
where not half so good hunting and fishing sport are furnished as was
in this vicinity twenty-five and forty years ago. There were a good
many excellent hunters here at an early day, who enjoyed the sport as
well as any can at the present time.
Wild animals of almost every species known in the wilds of the
west were found in great abundance. The prairies and woods and
40
626 HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
streams and various bodies of water were all thickly inhabited before
the white man came and for some time afterward. Although the
Indians slew many of them, yet the natural law prevailed here as well
as elsewhere — " wild man and wild beast thrive together."
Serpents were to be found in such large numbers and of such
immense size that some stories told by the early settlers would be
incredible were it not for the large array of concurrent testimony which
is to be had from the most authentic sources. Deer, turkeys, ducks,
geese, squirrels, and various other kinds of choice game were plentiful
and to be had at the expense of killing only. The fur animals were
abundant, such as the otter, beaver, mink, muskrat, raccoon, panther,
fox, wolf, wild-cat and bear.
An old resident of the county told us that in 1841, while he was
traveling a distance of six miles, he saw as many as seventy-three deer,
in herds of from six to ten.
HUNTING BEE TREES.
Another source of profitable recreation among the old settlers was
that of hunting bees. The forests along the water courses were espe-
cially prolific of bee trees. They were found in great numbers on the
Nishnebotna and the Big and Little Tarkio. Many of the early settlers
during the late summer would go into camp for days at a time, for the
purpose of hunting and securing the honey of the wild bees, which was
not only extremely rich and found in great abundance, but always com-
manded a good price in the home market.
The Indians have ever regarded the honey bee as the forerunner of
the white man, while it is a conceded fact that the quail always follows
the footprints of civilization.
The following passage is found in the "Report of the Exploring
Expedition to the Rocky Mountains in the year 1842, by Captain John
C. Fremont," page 69 :
" Here on the summit, where the stillness was absolute ; unbroken
by any sound and the solitude complete, we thought ourselves beyond
the regions of animated life ; but while we were sitting on the rocks, a
solitary bee came winging his flight from the eastern valley, and lit on
the knee of one of the men. We pleased ourselves with the idea that
he was the first of his species to cross the mountain barrier, a solitary
pioneer to foretell the advance of civilization."
Gregg, in his " Commerce of the Prairies," page 178, Vol. 1, says :
" The honey bee appears to have emigrated exclusively from the east,
as its march has been observed westward. The bee, among western
pioneers, is the proverbial precursor of the Anglo American population.
In fact, the aborigines of the frontier have generally corroborated this
PIONEER LIFE. 627
It
.
statement, for they used to say that they knew the white man was not
far behind when the bees appeared among them."
There were other recreations, such as shooting matches and quilting
parties, which obtained in those days, and which were enjoyed to the
fullest extent. The quilting parties were especially pleasant and agree-
able to those who attended. The established rule in those days at these
parties, was to pay either one dollar in money or split one hundred rails
during the course of the day. The men would generally split the rails
and the women would remain in the house and do the quilting. After
the day's work was done, the night would be passed in dancing.
"All the swnins that there abide.
With jigs and rural dance resort. "
When daylight came the music and the dancing would cease, and the
gallant young men would escort the ladies to their respective homes.
WOLVES.
One of the oldest pioneers tells us, that for several years, after he
came to what is now known as Atchison County, wolves were very
numerous, and that he paid his taxes for many years in wolf scalps. His
cabin was in the edge of the timber, that skirted Nishnebotna River,
and, at night, the howls of these animals were so loud and incessant,
that to sleep, at times, was almost impossible.
Often at midnight, all
" At once there rose so wild a yell,
Within thai dark and narrow dell,
As all ihe fiends from heaven that fell,
Had pealed the banner cry of hell."
At such times, the whole air seemed to be filled with the vibrations
of their most infernal and diabolical music. The wolf was not only a
midnight prowler here, but was seen in the daytime, singly or in packs,
warily skulking upon the outskirts of a thicket, or sallying cautiously
along the open path, with a sneaking look of mingled cowardice and
cruelty.
CHAPTER VII.
ORIGINAL TOWNSHIPS.
Before entering upon the history of the different municipal town-
ships of Atchison County, as now constituted, we deem it proper to give
the names and boundaries of the five original townships, into which the
county court first divided the county. Then we shall take up the history
of each township, beginning with Benton.
As stated in a former chapter, on the 14th day of April-, 1845, the
county court of Atchison County was organized at the house of Conrad
Cloepfel, or, as it is incorrectly spelled in the records, " Cliffield."
One of the first acts of this body was the division of the county into
five municipal townships, to be known respectively as Clark, Nishnebotna,
(or, as it is written in that early record, " Nishnebottona "), Polk, Tarkio
and Bluff. These townships were defined and bounded as follows :
CLARK TOWNSHIP.
All that portion of territory lying within the following described
limits, to wit : "Beginning in the middle of the main channel of the
Missouri River, at a point where the south boundary of the county inter-
sects the same, thence up said river in the middle of the channel thereof
to the middle of the channel of the Nishnebotna, thence up the channel
of the Nishnebotna, to the point where the north line of the United
States survey intersects the same ; thence east on said line to the east
boundary of the county, thence following the east and south boundary
of the county, to the place of beginning, shall constitute a township to
be called Clark."
POLK TOWNSHIP.
All that portion of territory lying within the following described
limits : " Beginning in the channel of the Nishnebotna River at a point
where the north line of the United States survey intersects the same ;
thence up the channel of said river to the northern boundary of the state ;
thence east to the dividing ridge between the waters of the Nishnebotna
and the Big Tarkio Rivers ; thence southerly on said dividing ridge to
the north line of the United States survey ; thence west to the place of
beginning, shall compose a township to be called Polk."
ORIGINAL TOWNSHIPS. 629
BLUFF TOWNSHIP.
"All that portion of territory lying between the Missouri and Nish-
nebotna Rivers, above the narrows, and south of the northern boundary
of Missouri, shall compose a township, to be called Bluff."
NISHNEBOTTONA TOWNSHIP.
"All that portion of territory lying between the Nishnebottona and the
Missouri Rivers, and below the narrows, between said rivers, shall com-
pose a township, to be called Nishnebottona."
TARKIO TOWNSHIP.
All that portion of territory lying within the following described
limits : Beginning at the northern boundary of the state, on the dividing
ridge between the Nishnebottona and BigTarkio Rivers, thence southerly
on said dividing ridge to the north line of the United States Survey,
thence east to the eastern boundary of the county, thence northwardly,
following the east line of the county to the northern boundary of the
state, thence west to the place of beginning, shall constitute a township,
to be called Tarkio.
ALLOTTING JUSTICES.
The following appointments of allotting justices were then made :
Of Clark Township, James Harbin ; of Tarkio Township, John James;
of Polk Township, Thomas Farmer ; of Bluff Township, Thomas Love-
lady.
CHAPTER VIII.
BENTON TOWNSHIP.
TOPOGRAPHY-BRIDGES -EARLY SETTLEMENT-FERRIES— CHURCHES-MILLS—
BIOGRAPHICAL.
BENTON TOWNSHIP.
This division of Nishnebotna Township was erected into a precinct
of the same, at the May term of the county court for the year 1858, and
designated as Benton Precinct. Its limits are thus described in the
records :
" Commencing at a point where the line dividing townships sixty-
four and sixty-five crosses said river, thence west on said line to the
Missouri River, thence down the same to the mouth of the Nishnebotna
River, thence up the same to the point above named, said precinct to be
called Benton Precinct." At the August term of said court, 1858, the
above described limits were erected into Benton Township, and remained,
such till February 22, 1870, when the organization of Templeton Town-
ship curtailed its limits to the extent of about eight square miles of the
northern portion of its territory, which were taken off to contribute in
forming the southern part of said Templeton Township. Benton Town-
ship was thus reduced to its present limits, February 22, 1870. It is, in
point of extent, one of the minor divisions of the county, and the con-
figuration of its outline is exceedingly irregular. With the exception of
three miles of its northern boundary, which is a direct east and west line
separating it from Templeton Township, the entire boundary of this
township is water. It is bounded on the north by Templeton and Clay
Townships, from the latter of which it is separated by the Nishnebotna
River ; on the east by Clay and Clark Townships, from which it is also
separated by the same river, which debouches into the Missouri River at
the southeast corner of the township, and on the south and west by the
State of Nebraska, from which it is separated by the Missouri River.
The surface of its territory — entirely bottom land — is a dead level. In
the extreme southern and western portions of the same, are two heavy
bodies of timber. The former embracing about three, and the latter
about four square miles, of a heavy growth. A swamp, about two and a
half miles in extent, and now not much more than fifty feet wide, extends
BENTON TOWNSHIP. 63 1
in a southwesterly direction through sections 24, 25, 30 and 31. This is
said to have been, at an early period of the county's history, of sufficient
extent to be dignified by the appellation of lake. In common with most
of the swamps and minor streams of the Purchase, the water of this
slough is rapidly disappearing, and at some seasons of the year its sur-
face is entirely dry.
BRIDGES.
Three bridges cross the Nishnebotna River, connecting Benton
Township with Clay and Clark Townships. These are to be found fully
described in the chapter-of this work, entitled Bridges.
EARLY SETTLEMENT.
The territory included within the comparatively contracted limits
of what is now known as Benton Township, though not generally settled
at as early a period as some other sections of the county, had yet, within
its borders a few settlers in a comparatively early day. The first of these
were two men named respectively Stilson and Jackson. They settled
as early as 1839, or 1840 (long before the country was surveyed) in the
extreme western portion of the present territory of Benton Township,
where, entering into copartnership, they engaged in the business of farm-
ing, which they continued to pursue till the year 1849, when they left
with the great tide of emigration for the gold fields of California. The
farm which they settled is now three-quarters of a mile in the Missouri
River.
A very short time after the arrival of these pioneers, came William
Roberts, from Illinois. He was a brother of the Hank Roberts, elsewhere
referred to, as among the three earlier settlers of the county, and who
located near the site of old Sonora, in Nishnebotna Township, in the
spring of 1839.
In 1842, came Thomas Arnold, from Ohio, and William Sutton, from
Indiana, both afterwards prominent citizens of this section of the county.
Among the subsequent settlers of an early period were Henry
Luhers, John Horsefield, Ernest Longhenck, Fritz Shirckock, Henry
Shirckock, Fritz Golderman, Benjamin Bowers, and others.
Eli Meadows, from Kentucky, settled in the township in 185 1.
In 1853, came from Germany, Henry Hahn (since dead) and his
sons, Henry Hahn, Jr., T. W. Hahn (the latter a representative stock
man of the township) Levi Bradley, and Albert Taylor, from Tennessee.
Otto Dankers, from Germany, settled in the township in 1854.
John Horsefield, from the same country, arrived in the following year.
John D. Campbell, long a prominent citizen, settled as early as 1850,
within the limits of the township. In 1858 came Wiley May, and, in
632 HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
1859, Peter Causey. Dr. William Arnold, from Indiana, settled in Ben-
ton Township in 1857. He became' a prominent citizen of this section
of the state and represented Atchison County in the Legislature of 1861.
He now (1882) resides in Brownville, Nebraska.
Dr. Richard Buckham, elsewhere in this history referred to as hav-
ing, in 1842, settled in Linden, where his brother, Dr. Robert Buckham,
still continues to reside, moved from Clay Township, in 1859, and has
since continued to reside in Benton Township. The Drs. Buckham are
the pioneer physicians of Atchison County. Dr. Richard Buckham is
also one of the earliest established ministers of the gospel in the county,
and a pioneer in the organization of the Christian Church within the
same. He was the official who performed the first marriage ceremony
in the county. The contracting parties were Thomas Rash and Miss
White, elsewhere referred to. James H. Lahue and Manson Cheesman
were among the few settlers who came in as early as i860.
FERRIES.
Among the earliest settlers of this section of the county, was a man
by the name of Bush; and one of the earliest enterprises of public con-
venience within the same, was a ferry established by him in 1844. This
was across the Nishnebotna, near the mouth of that stream, on the north
line of section 9, township 63, range 41, where is now (1882) a substan-
tial bridge. This ferry was operated by a man by the name of James
Rhodes, who ran it until 1853, when Henry Hahn, Sr., purchased the
farm within which the landing was included, and, in tarn, operated the
ferry, until the building, in 1870, of the Dan Grove bridge, at a point
half a mile above the ferry landing.
During the period when the above mentioned was in operation,
John D. Campbell also had a ferry across the Nishnebotna. The west
landing of this ferry was on the southeast quarter of section 27, town-
ship 64, range 41, and its east landing on the northeast quarter of sec-
tion 34, of the same township and range. This was also discontinued
en the building of the bridge.
CHURCHES.
The Christian Church, in Benton Township, was first organized about
1869 or 1870, near Stafford's mill, by Elder H. C. Barron, of Nebraska.
The original members were Elders Sperry and W. Bradley, Hiram Mullet
and wife, Felix Bradley and wife, M. Bradley and wife, Wilbur May and
wife, and others, including in all about thirty-five members. The church
continued to meet in a neighboring school house, till about the year
1878, when the elders and many of the leading members having moved
away, the organization ceased to exist, and, in August of that year,
BENTON TOWNSHIP. 633
another was effected, with a remnant of the same. These erected on the
northwest quarter of section 17, township 64, range 41, the present edifice
known as Nishne Valley Church. The building was dedicated by Elder
E. Correy. It is a frame structure, of modern style, 34x50 feet in extent
and was completed at a cost of $2,200, besides labor donated. The
interior is fitted up in a style corresponding with the elegant exterior of
the building. The place where this church assembled to organize, was
a brick school house, on the Clay Township side of Nishnebotna River,
near the residence of J. Wells. Judge Needels, whose residence is. in the
immediate neighborhood, was a prominent member of the organization.
The German Lutheran Church of Saint Peters, in Benton Township,
was built in 1869. It is a frame building, on the southwest quarter of
section 30, township 64, range 42, two and a half-miles south of Lang-
don, in Templeton Township. It is fifty by thirty feet in size, and cost
about $900. Among the principal organizers of the congregation were
Henry Luhers, John Horsefield, Earnest Longhenck, Fritz Shirckock,
Henry Golderman, Benjamin Powers, and others. The first minister of
this church was Rev. Nolte. He was succeeded by Rev. Pinkhart, who
was, in turn, followed by Rev. Miller, the present (1882) minister.
The Second German Lutheran Church established in the township
was made up of a portion of the members of Saint Peters Church. They
occupy a building erected for a private school house, in 1875, on section
31, township 64, range 42. The first minister of this church was John H.
Dericks, who, for five years before, had taught school in this building.
MILLS.
The Excelsior was the first mill built in Benton Township. It was
erected in 1857. It stood on the southeast quarter of section 21, town-
ship 64, range 42, and was subsequently moved southward to section 33,
of the same township and range, whence, ultimately (in 1867) it was
taken to Nebraska. This was exclusively a saw mill.
The second mill set up within the limits of the township was built
in 1865, by Thomas Stafford and Charles Patton. This stands in the
southwest quarter of section 8, township 63, range 41. It is a saw mill,
to which was at one time attached a run of burrs for grinding corn.
These, however, were subsequently removed. The mill is now the
exclusive property of Thomas Stafford.
ism*
~C© — S^=i3Kf=^i — eBT
634 HISTORY OF ATCHISON county.
^BIOGRAPHICAL. <*
DR. RICHARD BUCKHAM
is the owner of 470 acres of land, his residence being on section 23. A
history' of this county would be incomplete and its pioneers would not
be fully represented should there not appear a short biographical sketch
of the life of Rev. Richard Buckham, M. D. He was born in Sumner
County, Tennessee, June 25, 181 1. His father, Andrew Buckham, was
born in Scotland, and his mother, whose maiden name was Charlotte
Taylor, was from Maryland, but of Welsh parentage. While Richard
was in his infancy they moved to Hopkins County, Kentucky, where he
was brought up and received a good English education. In the spring
of 1834 he came to Missouri, locating in this county in May, 1842. In
1838, while in Hopkinsville, Kentucky, he was ordained to preach in
the Christian Church by Elder Collins. He studied medicine with a
prominent physician of Union County, Kentucky, in 1838, and prac-
ticed this profession for many years, or until 1872, before receiving his
diploma, when, on account of his long experience and being an able
contributor to the medical journals, the Physic Medical Institute, of
Cincinnati, Ohio, a regular medical college, awarded him a diploma,
which has been well earned and worthily bestowed. In 1864 and 1870
he was elected to the state legislature, and it is said that his speeches
are among the most practical and creditable on record. He was a
Whig as long as that body constituted a party, after which he drifted
into the Republican ranks. The doctor has been twice married. His
first wife was Nancy White, from Boone County, Missouri, whom he
married September 11, 1836. They had seven children, only two of
whom are now living : Susan Ann, the wife of Colonel P. A. Thompson,
and Lottie, who married Robert Hunter, of Rock Port. Dr. Robert
Buckham, an excellent physician, died in this county May 29, 1879.
Martha was married in 1868 to a Mr. Boley, and March 28, 1879, she
died, leaving one child, Ena, a bright little girl, whom Dr. iPfcis bring-
ing up. Mrs. Buckham died August II, 1852. He was married the
second time to Mrs. Julia Ann Gray Baird, July 24, 1853, an<^ by this
union they had three daughters : Ida L. Joslin, Laura T. L. and Effie
Everett. Mrs. B. by a former marriage had four children : Frances N.,
Martha Bell, George S. and Emma J., who married James Wade, of
Phelps City. When they were united in marriage Dr. and Mrs. B. each
had a son and three daughters about of an age, and these they brought
up together, each one's children always treating and regarding the
BENTON TOWNSHIP. 635
others as their own brothers and sisters. As the doctor was absent
from home much of his time engaged in practicing his profession, a
good deal of responsibility rested upon his wife, who became an excel-
lent manager, and instrumental to a certain degree in improving and
making so valuable a place. In 1859 he bought his farm, which was
then uncultivated prairie land, but now one of the most valuable farms
in the county. Like many other persons, Dr. B. suffered much loss by
the inundation of his land in the spring of 1881. His step-son is now
working the farm, and together they are largely engaged in feeding and
dealing in stock. The doctor has for many years been interested in
raising and dealing in fine blooded stock, and much credit is due him
for the interest he has manifested in that direction. During the Mexi-
can war he enlisted in Captain Craig's company of volunteers. They
were kept at work making forts on the frontier and fighting Indians
until the close of the conflict, having been out two years and for which
he received an honorable discharge and a land warrant. Few men have
experienced a much harder time in the early settlement of a country
than did Dr. Buckham. He was the first physician in the county and as
such rode many long and tedious miles with a reward of very poor pay.
As a minister his salary was indeed small. He married the first four or
five couples in this county, and it is indeed a rich treat to hear him
relate his early experience here. He is a great reader and an honored
member of society.
HARMON COOPER,
farmer, stock raiser and feeder, section 21, was born in the Kingdom of
Hanover, in Aurich, February 16, 183 1. He was fortunate enough to
receive an excellent education and was brought up on a farm. On
November 10, 1854, he landed in New Orleans, and came up the Missis-
sippi to Alton, Illinois, but soon settled in Springfield. He once started
for California, but returned and commenced to work for $10 per month
on a farm, where he remained for three years. He then entered a farm,
which he continued to cultivate until the spring of 1870, when he came
to this county and bought 200 acres of his present farm. Mr. C. at once
went to work with a will and succeeded beyond his most sanguine hopes.
He soon had a fine range for his stock and well improved fields for grain.
In 1876 he erected one of the best residences in the county, which he
furnished in beautiful style. His barn and other buildings are good,
together with several dwellings for renters. In his prosperity he has
added several good farms to his original purchase, so that he now owns
940 acres of land. He keeps 150 head of young stock in his pasture lots,
and he generally feeds 200 head of cattle a season. He devotes some
300 acres to corn, besides other grain. Mr. Cooper was married in Illi-
nois, January 21, 1858, to Miss Martha Harms. She is a daughter of
636 HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
John Harms, ol Germany. They have four children living : John H.,.
Heibe H., Thomas H. and Edward F. Four died in infancy. Matilda
died at the age of twelve years, in June, 1879. Mr. C. came to this
country a poor boy, and he now owes his prosperity and large accumu-
lations to his industry and perseverance. He is a Democrat in his polit-
ical faith, and was religiously brought up a Lutheran. He has always
been one of the substantial political workingmen of the party, and has.
attended most of the state and county conventions, and has many times-
been urged to accept the position of county judge. He has certainly
done his share towards furthering all things which would tend to pro-
mote the growth of the county.
G. COOPER,
farmer and stock raiser, is the owner of 770 acres of land, and resides in
section 20. He was born in Aurich, Kingdom of Hanover, January 13,
1837, and in 1857 came to this country, settling in Illinois. He received
a good education in Germany, which has been of great value to him in
this country. In 1864 he removed to Nemaha County, Nebraska, bought
240 acres of land, and worked hard for four years, after which he returned
and settled in this county and township. He improved a farm, where he
lived until 1878, when he bought the place where he now resides. This,
as it now is, constitutes one of the finest and most beautiful natural
places to be found. He keeps a large number of cattle and feeds some
150 head every year. His farming is conducted on a large scale, and is
well attended to. Mr. Cooper married Miss Rixte E. Harms, daughter
of John O. Harms, March 14, 1861. They have eight children living —
Thomas G., Tillie G., Harmon G., Eiliet G., Witje G., Heibe G., John G.,
and an infant. Lost four in infancy. Mr. C, like his on brother Harmon,
came here a poor boy, and his success in everything which he has under-
taken, is remarkable. His home farm and surroundings are among the
best, and his desire is to enjoy them. In politics he is a Democrat, and
religiously, a Lutheran. John O. Harms, his father-in-law, is a retired
farmer, and has a farm of ninety acres on section 28. He was born in
Germany, February 2, 18 16. He emigrated to this country in 1857, set-
tling in Illinois, and in 1876 came to this county, and bough^ farm near
his children, where he and his wife are enjoying their days with their
family about them. He married Tilda Hobbs in Germany, in 1838.
They have seven children living — Harmon, Martha, Terrixte, Witje,
Franklin, John and Eiliet. Politically, he is a Democrat, and religiously
a Lutheran. He has helped all his children to start in life, and has the
satisfaction of seeing all of them doing well. He is a noble speciman
of the true German character — honest and reliable in all his dealings.
BENTON TOWNSHIP. 637
JOSEPH DRAKE,
farmer and carpenter, section 20, was born in Yorkshire, England, in
September, 1837. He worked from the time he was nine years old for
several years in a very large woolen factory, where his father had also
worked from his boyhood to old age, and then the corporation pensioned
him for life. His grandfather also worked through life in the same fac-
tory. At the age of fifteen years, Joseph went to work and learned the
carpenter's trade, which he continued for three years. He then came to
this country, and settled in Hocking County, Ohio, where he resumed
working at his trade until December 25, 1866, when he came to Andrew
County, Missouri. He labored in Savannah for awhile, and in the fall of
1867, he came to this county and bought a part of his farm, which he
improved. He has been greatly prospered in all his enterprises, and
now, with his fine improvements, and large additions to his original pur-
chase, he has a beautiful and valuable farm on the banks of the Nishne-
botna River, containing 425 acres of land. Mr. Drake married Miss
Sarah Elizabeth Trout, in Ohio, in 1866. She died in 1874, leaving three
children : Rennie Florence, born September 28, 1868 ; Francis Paul, born
November n, 1870, and Mary Abertha, born March 12, 1872. Mr. D.
married for his second wife Miss Jennie Fergurson, of North Carolina,
December 26, 1876. They have three children : Daisy Bell, born Sep-
tember 24, 1877; Bert Elliot, born October 11, 1879, and Ferd J., born
September 15, 188 1. In politics, he is a Greenbacker. Few men have
done better in life than Mr. D. Starting in life one hundred dollars in
debt for his passage, he has worked hard, been fortunate in his calcula-
tions, and has become a leading farmer and an influential man in this
county.
duncan McDonnell,
farmer and stock raiser, has 280 acres of land, and resides on section 20.
He was born in Nova Scotia, near Halifax, June 15, 1842, and was the
son of Duncan and Eliza (Horn) McDonald. His early years were spent
in school and working on a farm. In 1864 young Duncan went to the
Renfrew Gold Mines, in Nova Scotia, where he worked until the spring
of 1866, when he came to this state, locating in this county, in April. He
soon bought some land and commenced work, and was encouraged with
good crops. After he had made improvements he added, from time to
time, to his farm and now has one of the best places on these rich bot-
toms. He built a beautiful residence and a good barn, and everything
about him denotes a successful agriculturist. Mr. McDonnell was married,
in Brownville, Nebraska, to Mrs Christie McKay McMichel, of Nova
Scotia, December 10, 1867. She died March 10, 1879, and left six chil-
dren, four of whom, Austin, Belle, Ann B. and Lulu, were by a former'
638 HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
husband, Robert McMichel, whom she married in Nova Scotia, in 1853.
He died in August, 1866. The remaining two children were Frances and
Earl. Austin McMichel remained with his step-father and received a
good education, and when seventeen years of age he went to Rock Port
and studied medicine, with Dr. Tracey a portion of the time, for two
years. The remainder of the time he was in a drug store. He took a
thorough course of study at the St. Louis Medical College and graduated
with honor in March, 1879. In l%77 ne bought the drug establishment
of William Buckham, and is doing an excellent business in connection
with his practice. Very few young men have a better reputation as a
druggist, practitioner and a careful business man. Mr. McDonnell is a
prominent farmer, and a man whom it does one good to meet, being
intelligent, affable in his manners and cultured.
WATSON R. RICHARDSON,
farmer and plasterer, section 23, was born in Cumberland County, Ken-
tucky, February 5, 1826, and in 1827, he moved to Morgan County,
Illinois, with his parents, his father, Jesse C. Richardson, being one of
the pioneers of that county. In 1840, the family moved to Cass County,
Illinois, when they bought a farm. In 1846, Mr. R. enlisted in Company
E, First Illinois regiment, for the Mexican war, and passed through all
the hard fighting of the campaign, and at last received a severe wound
in the hip, which has disabled him for life, the ball still remaining in him.
After receiving an honorable discharge, he returned home. In 185 1, he
moved to Missouri, and in the spring following he came to this county,
and after farming through the season, he entered the farm where he now
lives, from the government. He has improved a fine place, has a good
home and is enjoying his decline of life, surrounded by his family and
friends. His landed estate contains 120 acres. In 1859 his father came
to live on one of his son's farms, but died April 5, 1866. In his boyhood
Watson learned the plastering trade, and it has been his business through
life, where work in that line was to be had. He married Miss Amanda
J. Beard, of Cass County, Illinois, November 30, 1849. She died in 1852,
leaving two children, Amanda J. and Alceres C. His second wife was
Emily A. Edwards, whom he married August 4, 1855. She died in i860,
leaving three children : Alvetieus F., Alvarez F., and Emily A. In
1856, he married Miss Eliza J. Cameron, of this county. They have
four chileren : Violet L., Eliza J., Dillon E., and Jesse C. Mr. R. ha
seen much of this country in pioneer times, and has been active in its
enterprises. He was a member of Company B, Fourth Artillery, during
the war, being sergeant and gunner. He was also engaged in the Mor
mon war, and was present when the mob killed Joseph Smith, and was
captain of a company of home guards in the rebellion. He has been a
BENTON TOWNSHIP. 639
justice for many years. He was very prominent in politics in Illinois,
and held several offices. He is a Democrat, and favors the Christian
Church. His grandfather, George Richardson, who was from England,
settled in Virginia, and was in the revolutionary war for seven years,
with Washington. He was a cousin of General Morgan, of revolutionary
fame. The grandmother of Watson Richardson, was Martha Snow.
His mother was Rebecca P. Ellis, and his father was with General Jack-
son at New Orleans, and all through the war of 18 12. Mr. R. is known
everywhere as a kind neighbor and a friend to the needy.
CLAUDIUS TARDIVEL,
farmer and carpenter, is the owner of 150 acres of land on section 25.
He was born in Clermont, Furand Payde Dome, France, January ior
1829. His parents were Claudius and Catherine (Malhais) Tardivel. He
received an excellent education, was among the better class of scholars
in France, and was engaged in teaching for three years. In 1848 he
came to this country and settled in Covington, Kentucky, where he
learned the carpenters' trade. In 1854 he moved to Mount Vernon,
Ohio, where he continued to work at his trade, remaining there until
1858, when he came to this county, with but $10 in money. He soon
rented a farm of Dr. Buckham, worked on his land and at his trade, build-
ing some of the best buildings of that day. After obtaining a good
start he bought a farmer of the doctor, and has made valuable improve-
ments. In 1 861 he built a beautiful residence, and now has a fine
orchard and a large vineyard of all varieties of grapes, etc. Mr. T. has
become a thorough English scholar, and enjoys reading the current lit-
erature of the day. He is one of the representative men of the town-
ship and a leading man in the county. He married Miss Isabella Brant,
of Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1850. She died in 1854, leaving three children —
two now living — Julius Paul and Annie. In 1856 he married Miss Car-
oline Postlewait, of Newark, Ohio. They have five children living :
Charles L., Agnes Genevieve, Francis M., Joseph Claudius and Ger-
trude. He is a Democrat in politics, and religiously inclined towards the
Catholics.
JAMES C. WASHBURN,
farmer, section 27, was born in Clarke County, Indiana, September 25,
1822. His father, Isaac Markham, was born in Kentucky, and his mother,
whose maiden name was Sarah Watson, was from Clarke County,
Indiana. James learned the cooper's trade in youth, at which he worked
until he obtained some land of his own. In 1866 he came to this state
and county. He was married to Miss Sarah Summers, January 4, 1852.
She was the daughter of Elijah Summers, of Kentucky. They have
64O HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
eight children — Benjamin F., James A., Martin Albert, Martha A.,
George, Sarah Emma, Julia Ann and Dolly Ethel. Mr. W. is a hard
working man, and has a good and well improved farm of 240 acres. He
also improved a farm in Indiana. He attended the Clarke County High
School during his youth, and received a good education and taught
school for several years. When not engaged in teaching, he worked at
his trade. He is a Democrat in politics, and belongs to the Christian
Church. He is one of the substantial men of the township, and knows
well how to exercise good judgment. His advice is often sought for by
his friends, who are well acquainted with his ability and candor. He has
reared a large family of children, and has done much to give them a good
common education. Benjamin F., his oldest son, lives at home, and is a
young man of ability and high standing in the county. He is a leader
in the Republican party, always attends the conventions and takes a
deep interest in the political questions of the day.
RESIDENCE OF JOHN D. DOFF, ROCK PORT, MO.
CHAPTER IX.
CLAY TOWNSHIP.
BOUNDARIES— PHYSICAL ASPECT— BRIDGES -MILLSAPS, THE PIONEER-EARLY SETTLERS
—MILLS— FIRST STORE— FIRST BLACKSMITH-GERMAN COLONY-PIONEER SCHOOL
-ROCK PORT— PIONEER BLACKSMITH OF ROCK PORT— PIONEER HOTEL-FIRST
LIVERY STABLE— CITY BREWERY— THE BANK OF ATCHISON COUNTY-MUNICIPAL
—EXTENSION OF CORPORATE LIMITS— SECOND INCORPORATION- INCORPORATION
AS A CITY OF THE FOURTH CLASS— COUNTY OFFICIALS— EARLY CHURCHES-METH-
ODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH SOUTH— PRESENT RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS— CHRIS-
TIAN CHURCH-MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH-GERMAN LUTHERAN CHURCH
—METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH-OLD SCHOOL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH— PUBLIC
SCHOOLS OF ROCK PORT— ROCK PORT COLLEGE— NORTH STAR LODGE, A. F. AND
A. M.-ZERUBBABEL, R. A. C— ADONIRAM COUNCIL, R. AND S. M.-I. O. O. F.— A.
O. U. W.— BUSINESS OF 1882— UNION CITY-CUMBERLAND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
PLEASANT GROVE CHRISTIAN CHURCH-BIOGRAPHICAL.
Clay Township was organized February 20, 1856, from portions of
what was originally included within the limits of Polk and Clark Town-
ships, and is thus described in the records : " Commencing at the north-
east corner of section 13, thence running west on a line dividing sec-
tions 12 and 13, township 65, range 41, to the middle of the main chan-
nel of the Nishnebotna ; thence down the middle of the main channel of
■said river to where the line dividing sections 23 and 26, in township 64,
range 41, strikes the middle of the main channel of said river ; thence
east on said line to the east line of the township last mentioned ; thence
north on said line to the place of beginning, and that the place of hold-
ing election shall be Rock Port."
BOUNDARIES.
It is bounded on the north by Polk Township a distance of six and
three-fourth miles ; on the east by four miles of Tarkio Township and
four miles of Clark Township ; on the south by Clark and Benton Town-
ships, from which latter it is separated by the Nishnebotna River ; on
the west by Templeton and Nishnebotna Townships, from both of which
it is separated by the Nishnebotna River.
PHYSICAL ASPECT.
The physical aspect of Clay Township affords considerable diversity
■of surface. A comparatively small portion, however, of its area lies in the
marrow bottom between the Nishnebotna River in the bluff range, which
41
642 HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
extends through the eastern portion of the county in' a generally south-
westerly course, from the Iowa line into Holt County, and onward, form-
ing an almost unbroken system of similar formation along the entire
length of the Missouri River. In some localities of this township the
bluff extends to the margin of the Nishnebotna River, and at its greatest
width the Clay Township side of the bottom is less than three miles
broad. This bottom is in fact but an eastward extension of the great
Missouri River bottom, through the eastern limits of which, it may be
said, the Nishnebotna River flows. It constitutes a portion of the great
corn producing region, for which this section of the Platte Purchase is
so justly celebrated. For a prairie region, Clay Township is abundantly
supplied with timber of vigorous growth, including most of the varieties
proper to this latitude. The greater part of this timber is included in a
strip extending to the eastward of the bluff range, in an average width
of two miles from one end to the other of the township. Detached
groves also exist in other parts of the same, especially on the banks of
Rock Creek.
The water system of Clay Township is varied and extensive.
Besides the Nishnebotna River, which forms its entire western and the
greater portion of its southern boundary, numerous streams of greater
or less volume vein its surface. Of these the principal is Rock Creek,
which, flowing in a southwesterly direction from Polk Township, enters
Clay Township near the center of the north boundary line of the north-
west quarter of section 14, township 65, range 41 ; thence through the
southeast quarter of section 15 ; thence through the east half of section
22 ; thence through the center of section 27, along the limits of the City
of Rock Port ; thence southward through section 34, and southwestward
through sections 3, 10, 9 and 16, of township 64, range 41, entering the
Nishnebotna River in the south boundary line of the last named section.
Mill Creek, flowing southwestwardly from Clark, cuts the southeast cor-
ner of Clay, in section 24, and again enters Clark Township. Besides
the above, some seven or eight streams, of minor importance, tributaries
of Rock Creek and of the Nishnebotna, vein the surface.
Though highly productive much of the surface of Clay Township is
considerably broken, and, outside of the dead level of the bottom region,
even the better portion of the prairie district is very rolling.
BRIDGES,
Clay Township has across the streams, within the limits of and
adjoining her borders, fifteen and one half bridges, an exact description
of the location, character and extent of which will be found under the
general article entitled County Bridges,
CLAY TOWNSHIP. 643
CALLAWAY MILLSAPS, THE PIONEER.
The first white man who made a permanent settlement within the
limits of the present township of Clay was Callaway Millsaps, now (1882)
a resident of Rock Port, and a member of the mercantile firm of Harring-
ton & Millsaps. Mr. Millsaps moved from the neighborhood of Sonora,
on the Missouri River, where he had located on his first arrival within
the limits of what is now Atchison County, November 11, 1839. He
continued to reside here till the 1 ith day of August, 1840, when, in quest
of a more desirable location, he landed on the farm which he proceeded
to settled and which he has since continued to own. This embraces the
northwest quarter of section 32, township 65, range 41, about half a mile
east of the Nishnebotna River. When Callaway Millsaps first arrived
in the neighborhood of Sonora, there were but three white men living
within the limits of what afterwards became Atchison County. Special
reference to these will be found under the head of Nishnebotna Town-
ship.
For a long period Millsaps and his immediate family were the sole
residents of the neighborhood to which they had moved. His son,
William Millsaps, born near the site of what was afterwards Sonora, on
the 14th of December, 1839, enjoys the distinction of being the first
white child born on the soil of Atchison County. The first death of a
white person in this county, was also that of a member of this pioneer
family. Elizabeth Millsaps, a daughter, was accidentally burned to
death, December, 1842, in the tenth year of her age.
The first ferry within the limits of the county was established and
operated by Callaway Millsaps. This was at a crossing of the Nishne-
botna River, near his residence. The plank of which this boat was
built, he hewed out with a broad ax. Saw mills, in those days, were
elements of progress as yet unknown in this region. This pioneer ferry
boat he had completed and in operation as early as 1841.
Millsaps' residence, in the early settlement of the county, was a
noted point in the same. Here, in the summer of 1845, the Rev. Richard
Baxter, itinerant minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church, preached
to a small congregation, the first sermon delivered within the limits of
the county.
EAR I A- SETTLERS.
Among the early settlers of Clay Township, many of whom came
into the same within a year or two after the arrival of Callaway Millsaps,
were William Hunter and James Hunter, formerly from Nova Scotia,
and both afterwards judges of the County Court of Atchison County,
Enoch D. Scammon, the founder of Union City, Elijah Needels, from
Indiana, Joshua Smith, John Fowler, Edward Fowler, William Fowler,
644 HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
Wilk Fowler and Samuel Fowler, all from Fastern Missouri, Samuel
Luthrop, from Ohio, Valentine Livingston, Willis Holloway, from Saline
County, Missouri, Jere Purdum, from Ohio, afterwards judge of the
county court, Touney Brown, from Clay County, Sarshal Fugitt, also
from same county. He built, in 1844, the third mill erected in the county.
During the civil war Fugitt had a desperate experience in the way of a
narrow escape from an attack on the part of a gang of ruffians headed
by a notorious desperado and jayhawker, by the name of Warren Price,
who had come to his house for the purpose of robbing, and if necessary
to accomplish that object, of murdering him. Fugitt defended himself*
gallantly, and though shot five or six times and desperately wounded,
succeeded in beating off his murderous assailants. He ultimately recov-
ered from his wounds, and is still (1882) alive and a resident of the
county whose resources he was one of the earliest to aid in developing.
Warren Price, the desperado who planned and headed the robbery and
murder which so signally failed of accomplishment, was afterwards shot
through the head and instantly killed, in the streets of St. Joseph, while
attempting to escape from the guard by whom he had been ordered to
halt.
Jere Stanford, from Lafayette County, Missouri, Jesse Cole, from
Indiana, John Townsend and some others were also among the pioneers of
Clay Township. These all built residences and became permanent set-
tlers of the county, prior to the year 1850.
Dr. Richard Buckham, also one of the earliest physicians in this
section of the state, and his brother, Dr. Robert Buckham, were among
the early settlers of Clay Township. The former now (1882) lives in Ben-
ton Township, and the latter in the town of Linden, in Polk Township.
They have both been, for many years, representative citizens of the
county.
William Sickler, who still (1882) at the advanced age of seventy-
seven years, lives in full possession of his faculties, in the town of Rock
Port, settled there about 1841, and made the first plow manufactured in
this county.
James Templeton, for many years circuit and county clerk, came in
1843. William Hunter, afterwards county judge, settled in the same year.
John W. Golden, still (1882) a citizen of Rock Port, came from Linn
County, Missouri, and settled in the neighborhood in 1847. In 1854, he
purchased the John Fowler, or pioneer mill of the county. This, at the
expiration of a year he sold to a man by the name of Horner, who after-
wards moved tO/Denver. Enoch D. Scammon, who afterwards founded
Union City, settled in the township in 1843. Judge James Hunter
located in Clay Township in 1847.
A
CLAY TOWNSHIP. 645
PIONEER DISTILLERY.
The first distillery erected in Atchison County, was put up on Rose
Branch, on section 19, township 65, range 41, in the neighborhood of the
Nishnebotna River, and within the present limits of Clay Township.
The author of this enterprise was Samuel King. He put up and oper-
ated his distillery, as early as 1843.
9
MILLS.
One desideratum which was always severely felt by the pioneer
settler, was the convenience ot mills. In the early days of Atchison
County, settlers were under the necessity of going upwards of seventy
miles to mill. In the fall of 1839, Callaway Millsaps and George Har-
mon were under the necessity of going to the neighborhood of Saint
Joseph, where they had their grist ground at a small mill on One Hun-
dred and Two River.
The first mill erected in Atchison County, was a water-power saw
mill, in what is now Clay Township, on Rock Creek, two and a half miles
below the site of the present city of Rock Port. It was commenced in
the fall of 1841 and completed in 1842, by John Fowler.
King's Mill, a water-power grist mill, furnished with one run of
burrs, stands on the site of this pioneer structure. It has not been in
operation since 1881.
The second mill built in the county was also in Clay Township.
This was built by Nathan Meek. It stood on the site of the present
two-run water-power grist mill at. Rock Port, now (1882) owned by John
Grieve and James M. Mcintosh.
Callaway Millsaps hauled in 1841 the first stick of timber where-
with to build this mill, and William Sickler placed it in position in the
building. This was begun in the fall of the following year. At the
session of 1843 the legislature of the state passed a special act author-
izing and empowering Nathan Meek to build a dam across Rock Creek.
He first built a saw mill, and very soon after added a run of burrs for
grinding grist. Nathan Meek himself operated this mill for many years.
About the year 1864 he moved to California, where he was accidentally
killed in a saw mill.
Just before leaving in 1864 he sold his mill to George L. Bischof,
now (188?) a member of the hardware firm of Bischof & Traub in Rock
Port. Bischof afterwards associated with himself in the mill property
his present partner Traub. He, however, subsequently bought back
this half interest.
In 1865 Bischof sold the mill to Hill Sickler, who operated it three
years, at the end of which period he sold out to Penny & Grieve. In
646 HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
1876 Penny sold his half interest in the mill to James Mcintosh, with
whom he is still (1882) associated under the firm name of Grieve & Co.
Rock Creek at this point has a fall of nineteen feet and this has
been utilized ever since the building of the mill in affording power for
the same. For many years after its first erection this fall turned an
overshot wheel for the grist mill and another for the saw-mill, here
attached at that period, but moved away in 1872. In 1869 an Excelsior
wheel took the place of the antiquated overshot, and eight years after-
wards, in 1877, Grieve & Mcintosh added a Leffei turbine wheel. The
average grinding capacity of this mill is eighty bushels per day. In
the summer of 1881 the mill was entirely overhauled under the super-
intendence of C. V. Swearingen, a millwright of Sidney, Iowa, and
machinery supplied at a cost of $1,700, rendering it one of the best
appointed water-power flouring mills of its capacity in the state.
The mill built in the county was also built in Clay Township.
This also was was a water-power grist mill. It was built about 1844 by
Sarshal Fugitt, who was a year and a half getting it started after he
had commenced it. It also stood on Rock Creek about two miles north
of the site of Rock Port. The machinery of this relic of the early days
of Atchison County has long since been moved away and nothing now
stands on its site but the dilapidated frame of the building, a mere
shell.
FIRST STORE.
Shortly after the building of Fugitt's Mill, the first store in Clay
Township was started there by Smith & Tootle. This pioneer in the
commercial history of the township, and this section of the county, as
may be supposed, was on a very small scale. The proprietors continued
to transact business here, by deputy, until the period of the laying out of
the town of Linden, the original county seat, April 1, 1846, when the
store was moved to that embryo capital and prospective metropolis.
The first postmaster appointed at Fugitt's Mill was a man by the name
of Booth, who was transacting the business of Smith & Tootle's store.
This office was the first instituted in the county. The mail was carried
through on a small mule once a week, from St. Joseph. The two other
post offices then in the county were at High Creek, in what is now Polk
Township, and at Austin, in what was then the northern part of Atchi-
son County, but in a locality now included within the boundaries of the
State of Iowa.
FIRST CIRCUIT COURT.
The first circuit court held in Atchison County, assembled imme-
diately after its organization, in September, 1845. The place of meeting
was in a log house, near Sarshal Fugitt's Mill, about a mile and a-half
CLAY TOWNSHIP. 647
north of the present site of the town of Rock Port, on the northeast
quarter of section 22, Judge Solomon Leonard on the'bench. The con-
tracted limits of the cabin in which this original court convened, were
insufficient to accommodate aught beyond the same, together with wit-
nesses and attorneys, neither of whom, of course, were very numerous.
One petit jury was thus reduced to the necessity of retiring to a low
garret loft overhead, and another to a neighboring hollow, for the pur-
pose of determining their verdicts; while the grand jury squatted with
all the apparent dignity of eastern potentates, in another hollow on the
opposite side of the recently extemporized court house, to the amaze-
ment cf the wolf, deer, or wild turkey, that chanced to stray in that
direction, and observe the strange attitudes of the unfeathered bipeds
who had thus unceremoniously intruded on their domain.
Nathan Meek, the builder of the mill on the site of which now stands
the Rock Port Mill, was a universal mechanical genius and artificer, both
in wood and in iron, and, though the first in the iownship to work at the
trade for his private accommodation, he was not the first to make black-
smithing a business ; nor, indeed, have we any evidence of his ever hav-
ing done so.
FIRST BLACKSMITH.
The first blacksmith's shop set up in Clay Township was built by
Christopher Fowler, in the neighborhood of John Fowler's mill, where he
continued, for some time after, to work at his trade.
EARLY ENTERPRISES.
A short time after the establishment of the store, above referred to,
at Fugitt's Mill, A. G. Buddington opened a stock of goods in a one story
frame house built by Nathan Meek, on the east side of Rock Creek, in
the immediate neighborhood of his mill. This house, which still stands
on its original site, is now (1882) the property of John Grieves, one of
the owners of the mill, and is occupied as a residence by William Beck.
This stock, opened here by Buddington, must have been a small one,
and the period during which he sold goods there short, for it is ques-
tioned by some of the old settlers that he ever sold goods on that side of
the creek.
On the laying out of the town of Linden, in April, 1846, Smith &
Tootle moved their goods from their store, in the neighborhood of
Fugitt's Mill, to the pioneer town and capital of Atchison County. This
continued to be the nearest establishment of the kind to the present
neighborhood of Rock Port until the laying out of that town, by Nathan
Meek, in 1851.
648 HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
GERMAN COLONY.
Among the early settlers of Clay Township, were a colony of German
emigrants, who located in 1846, on the northwest quarter of section 22,
township 65, range 41, about one and a half miles north of the town of
Rock Port.
These colonists, ten in number, were all originally from Germany,
with the exception of Michael Steck and family, who were from Alsace,
Lorraine. They had been living for several years in Saint Louis, Mis-
souri, where Steck had worked at his trade, that of a stonemason.
The other members of the colony were Cornelius Schubert, a civil
engineer, who subsequently became the first county surveyor of Atchison
County. (He brought with him a wife and two children.) Charles
Waldbaum, a stonemason, with his family — a wife, two sons and two
daughters ; George F. Smith, a shoemaker, with family — wife and son ;
William Hartman, shoemaker, with wife, son and daughter ; Martin
Grebe, cabinetmaker, with wife, two sons and a daughter ; Christopher
Kish, a blacksmith, with wife and two sons ; Hugo Klocker, an unmarried
man and a gentleman of rare scholarly attainments ; Martin Roda, a
carpenter, and his wife ; and a tailor, whose name is now forgotten, and
who shortly after his arrival in the county, moved back to St. Louis.
Michael Steck, above referred to, is the father of Captain George Steck,
now a prominent citizen of Atchison County.
Before leaving St. Louis the colonists organized themselves into an
association, which they styled the " German Socialistic Colony," of which
they chose a president and secretary, and adopted the necessary rules
for their government. They chartered a steamboat, and, provided with
supplies for one year, started for the Land of Promise. Entering the
Missouri they, in due time, reached Robidoux Landing, in Buchanan
County, where they had the first view of the " noble red man." Here
they halted, for a brief period, till the scouts, sent out by the president
to inspect the country, three in a northerly and three in a southerly
direction, had returned. On their report it was determined to steer
northward with their prairie schooners. After a protracted journey
across bridgeless streams and other formidable impediments, they, at
last arrived in sight of what was then Fugitt's Mill, just beyond their
future home. In this pathless journey they had encountered wolves,
deer, wild turkeys and other game in profuse abundance, and were sur-
prised at the appearance of huge antlers of elk, many of which measured
six feet in length. The animals, themselves, however, had disappeared.
The first act of the colonists was to erect log houses and build rail
fences. All hands, irespective of past experience and previous condition
of life, lent a helping hand, and shelter was soon afforded for the entire
population.
CLAY TOWNSHIP. 649
The first crop raised was a yield of sod corn. This, however, was
very light, and the colonists proceeded to lease Fugitt's Mill, that they
might procure meal for winter use. Disaster, however, followed this
enterprise. A tremendous rainfall swelled the current of the stream and
washed away the milldam, thus wrecking their hopes of aid from that
source. The discouraged colony then assembled in their public hall, a
dugout in the neighborhood of Meek's Mill, and after due discussion of
the matter, arrived at the conclusion that a socialistic colony, though a
fine thing in theory, was not calculated to accomplish very beneficial
results in Atchison County.
The organization was thus, by common consent, dissolved, and the
colonists dispersed. Some located amid the tall grasses of the Missouri
River bottom lands ; others made claims which they entered and
improved in the hilly country of the county, fulfilling, after all, their
mission as pioneers of civilization, assisting in the building up of cities,
churches and schools.
PIONEER SCHOOL.
It is worthy of note that before the disruption of the colony, and
indeed, shortly after the arrival of the colonists, one of their first acts
was to establish a school for the instruction of such of their children as
were of sufficient age to be benefitted thereby. The school room was a
dugout, with such rude appliances of comfort and convenience as their
limited means afforded. The teacher in charge of this pioneer institu-
tion of learning was Cornelius Schubert, the civil engineer and surveyor.
The pupils were Frederick Waldbaum, Mary Waldbaum, Matilda Wald-
baum, John Kish, George Steck and Harmon Kish.
The section on which the German Colony originally located is now
(1882) owned by-Martin Grebe, Michael Steck and William Hartman.
Of those who composed the colony, Cornelius Schubert, Charles Wald-
baum, Christopher Kish and Martin Roda are dead. The tailor, whose
name has escaped us, soon after his first experience in the wild west
returned to St. Louis in disgust. Hugo Klocker returned to Germany
in 1849 and was never heard of more. Such was the beginning and end
of the German colony of Atchison County.
ROCK K)RT.
On the 8th day of April, 185 1, the town of Rock Port was laid out
by Nathan Meek, on the southwest quarter of section 27, township 65,
range 41, on the right bank of Rock Creek, directly opposite the site of
the grist mill which he had completed in 1843, and which is now (1882)
owned and operated by Grieves & Mcintosh.
650 HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
At that period there were but two towns in the county — Linden,
the county seat, and Sonora on the Missouri River — and neither of
them places of much pretension to importance.
The first house erected on the town site was built in the spring of
1851 by A. G. Buddington, on the southwest corner of Main and Mill
Streets and occupied by him as a general store. This is now (1882)
occupied and used for a similar purpose by John Reiter. It is an old-
fashioned one-story building, in 1853 Buddington closed out and the
new firm of Hawk & Dillon opened a stock of goods in the house.
About this period Nuckols & White also started a store in the place.
In January, 1856, P. A. Thompson purchased the interest of Hawk, in
the firm of Hawk & Dillon, which thus became known by the name and
style of Dillon, Thompson & Co., and so continued till i860, when the
firm became Thompson & Buckham. In 1863 P. A. Thompson retired
from mercantile business in Rock Port. Other firms in the meantime
had been established and the place had begun to assume an air of busi-
ness importance.
The first drug store in Rock Port was started in a very early day by
Dr. Richard Buckham.
Dr. J. Y. Bird moved from Linden as soon as Rock Port was laid out
and established himself there in the practice of his profession. He was.
also at a very early period of the town's history engaged in the drug
business in the place in partnership with Dr. Dozier.
THE PIONEER BLACKSMITH.
Among the earliest settlers of the site of Rock Port, and indeed of
what is now Atchison County, is William Sickler, who still (1882) resides
near the northern limits of the town. He has been a resident of the
place and immediate neighborhood upwards of forty years, and was the
first blacksmith established in this part of the township, and the second
in the county, Christopher Fowler, above referred to having opened a
shop at Fugitt's Mill, a short time previously. Mr. Sickler started his
shop at what is now the east end of Mill Street, near the site of the
present bridge across the creek, about 1841. He made the first plow
ever manufactured within the present limits of Atchison County, and
ironed the first wagon. The woodwork of the latter was made by a man
by the name of Seymour, at that period a resident of Irish Grove.
Mr. Sickler is a man of medium stature, but has been, and still is,
one of great physical activity, and more than ordinary powers of eudur-
ance. He is now at the advanced age of seventy-seven years, in full
possession of his faculties, and bids fair yet to enjoy a longer additional
lease of life than many a much younger man could reasonably hope to
achieve.
CLAY TOWNSHIP. 65 I
PIONEER HOTEL.
The first attempt at a hotel in Rock Port was in the way of a board-
ing house, which was first opened by Joseph Jaimeson, near the east end
of Mill Street. This was in 1857. The accommodation here afforded,
however, were soon deemed inadequate to the increasing demands of
the place, and, in the following year, Thomas Akens erected, on the
southwest corner of Main and Rock Streets, the building now known as
the Rock Port Hotel, which was kept by different parties, at different
periods, till the year 1865, when it fell into the hands of Daniel Snyder,
the present proprietor, by whom it has ever since, with a brief interval,
continued to be kept, and by whom extensive additions to the house
have, from time to time, been made. Though the style of the building,
a two story frame, suggests the idea of an unpretending relic of a pioneer
day, the house has long enjoyed the reputation of an excellently kept
hotel.
FIRST LIVERY STABLE.
In 1858, about the period of the building of the above mentioned
house, Aquila Beck started the first livery stable in the town. This was
on Main Street, just below the Rock Port Hotel, where it continued to be
kept during a period of four or five years.
After the removal of the county seat from Linden to Rock Port,
which event was achieved as elsewhere fully detailed, on the 2 1st day of
June, 1856, the new capital steadily advanced in enterprise, population
and consequent importance. The first assembling of the county court,
on the 19th day of August following, constitutes an era in the history
of the city that will long be remembered, and from that day may properly
be dated the history of her growth, which has developed a neatly and
substantially built commercial center of nearly one thousand inhabitants.
One of the early manufacturing enterprises of Rock Port was the
CITY BREWERY.
As early as 1855 Charles Klinkhart started a brewery on. Boney
Branch, in the northwestern part of the town. This continued in oper-
ation during a period of ten years, when it was accidentally destroyed
by fire, and was never afterwards rebuilt. In 1863, two years before this
disaster, Roland Summerheizer erected a second brewery, about one
half mile north of the city limits. This he afterwards sold to a man by
the name of Dean, who subsequently sold to James Crossley. Crossley,
after operating the brewery several years, sold out to William Suter,
the present (1882) proprietor. The building is part frame and part
brick. The capacity of the brewery is forty-five barrels a week.
652 HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
THE BANK OF ATCHISON COUNTY,
on the northeast corner of Main and Rock Streets, was first organized in
1870, under the firm name of Durfee, McKillop & Co. These included
A. B. Durfee, A. E. Wyatt, John D. Dopf and Malcolm McKillop. This
firm, besides their banking interests, also conducted a law and real estate
business. In 1872, John D. Dopf retired from the firm and assumed
exclusive charge of the real estate business, which he has since continued
to conduct. His business in this line is the largest in the county.
In 1874, Durfee and Wyatt bought out M. McKillop's interest and
continued the business of the bank together till January, 1882, when the
present company was formed and the bank was chartered under the
above name and style.
The present (1882) officers are A. E. Wyatt, president; W. A. Rice,
cashier, and A. A. Wannschaff, assistant cashier. The directors, exclu-
sive of the above, are Robert Hunter and A. B. Durfee.
The capital stock of the bank is $15,000.
The building, a neat two-story brick structure, was erected in the
spring of 1870, by Durfee, McKillop & Co.
The second story of the building, which has an entrance on Rock
Street, has been occupied by the different bodies of the Masonic order
since July, 1880.
MUNICIPAL.
The special act of the Legislature, by which the town of Rock Port
was first incorporated, was approved December 13, 1855, and is as fol-
lows :
" Be it enacted, by the General Assembly of the State of Missouri,
as follows :
Section 1. That the inhabitants of the town of Rock Port, in the
county of Atchison and state of Missouri, are hereby declared and con-,
stituted a body corporate and politic, by the name and style of the City
of Rock Port, and by that name shall have perpetual succession, sue and
be sued, plead and be impleaded, and have a common seal, which they
may change and alter at pleasure.
Sec. 2. The corporate limits of the said City of Rock Port shall
include all that part of Rock Port originally laid out by Nathan Meek,
and all^that part laid out by J. N. White & Company, and shall include
all other parts or additions which may hereafter be laid out in town lots
by any person or persons, whatever, on their applying to the city council,
to be so annexed and form a part of said limits so incorporate, and the
inhabitants thereafter shall be entitled to all the rights and benefits of
other inhabitants within the limits of said city, and shall, also, be liable to
assessments and taxation for city purposes, as if said territory had been
originally included.
Sec. 3. The corporate powers and duties of said city shall be vested
in a mayor and six councilmen, who shall be elected by the qualified
electors of said city.
CLAY TOWNSHIP. 653
Sec. 4. The board of councilmen shall judge of the qualifications of
electors and returns of their own members. A majority of the whole
shall constitute a quorum, but a smaller number may adjourn from day
to day, and may compel the attendance of absent members, in such
manner and under such penalties as the board may provide. And they
may determine the rules and regulations of their own proceedings, and
punish their members for disorderly conduct ; and, by a concurrence of
two-thirds of the whole number, expel a member, and they shall cause
the yeas and nays to be entered on the journal.
Sec. 5. The board of councilmen shall hold their stated meetings
on the second Mondays in May, September and December, in each year ;
provided, however, that the time of holding stated meetings may be
changed by ordinance.
Sec. 6. The mayor and board of councilmen shall have power to
pass by-laws and ordinances ; to prohibit gaming, remove nuisances and
gaming houses : to license, regulate or prohibit theatrical or other
amusements and exhibitions ; to regulate and establish markets ; to
prevent firing off firearms ; to prevent furious and unnecessary running
or galloping, riding or driving any horse, mule or carriage within said
city, or such parts thereof as they may think proper ; and to prevent and
suppress bawdy-houses and other disorderly houses within the limits of
said city ; to open and repair and improve, and to keep clean and in
good order, streets, alleys, avenues and public squares, drains and
sewers ; to pave the sidewalks, and keep in repair the same, on all or so
many of the streets of the city as shall, from time to time, be deemed
necessary; to prevent the introduction of contagious diseases, and secure
the general health of the city; to provide for prevention and extinguish-
ment of fire ; to levy and collect taxes upon real and personal property
in said city ; but they shall impose no tax at a higher rate than one-
half of one per cent, on the assessed value of the property, and seventy-
five cents poll tax for any one year, on each free male over twenty-one
and under fifty-five years of age ; to supply said city with water ; to pass
such ordinances for the regulation and police of said city as such mayor
and councilmen shall deem necessary, not contrary to the laws of the
United States, nor of this state. And the sidewalks of the streets shall be
paved with brick or stone, at the expense of the owners thereof, from
such owner or occupier, by action of debt, before any court of compe-
tent jurisdiction, and if any tenant be required to pave in front of the
property occupied by him or her, the expenses thereof shall be good off-
set against so much of the rent due the owner, but no tenant shall be
required to expend more than the rent for the time for which he occupied
the property. And if any person who is a non-resident fail to pave in
front of his or her property, in the manner and time prescribed by ordi-
nance, or if any person who is a resident fails to pave as aforesaid, and
the expenses of paving cannot be otherwise recovered from him or her,
the said mayor and councilmen may have said lot or lots, or any part
thereof, sold to defray the expenses of said improvement, in such man-
ner as said mayor and councilmen may, by ordinance, provide. Pro-
vided, however, that said person, whether resident or non-resident,
whose property has been sold under the provisions of this act, shall have
the right to redeem the same within two years from the date of such
sale, by paying the full amount due thereon at the time of said sale,
654
HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
with all taxes and costs, with interest thereon at the rate of ten per
cent, per annum from the date of sale.
Sec. 7. The mayor and city council shall have power to pass
by-laws and ordinances ; to provide for the punishment of offenders, by
imprisonment in the county jail, in all cases where such offenders shall
fail or refuse to pay the fine and forfeitures which may be recovered
against them.
Sec. 8. The mayor and city council shall have power to remit any
fine or part of a fine imposed on any person for breach of any ordinance of
the city of Rock Port.
Sec. 9. The mayor shall preside at all meetings of the board of
councilmen, but shall be entitled to no vote, except in cases of a tie ; he
shall take care that the laws of the state and the ordinances of the cor-
poration are duly enforced, respected and observed within the limits of
said city, and he shall have concurrent jurisdiction in the limits of said
corporation with justices of the peace in said county, in civil cases, and
receive like fees for his services ; he shall be a conservator of the peace
within said city ; shall have power to fill all vacancies which shall occur
in any office, other than councilmen, until the end of the session of the
board of councilmen, which shall occur next after said vacancy; shall,
irom time to time, give the board of councilmen information relative to
the situation of affairs of the city, and shall recommend to their consid-
eration such measures as he shall deem expedient for the welfare of said
city ; and may on extraordinary occasions, convene the board of coun-
cilmen, by proclamation, stating to them when assembled, the object
for which they were convened ; and shall have power, whenever he thinks
it necessary, to require any officer of the city to exhibit his accounts,
books and other papers, and to make reports, in writing, to the mayor
and board of councilmen, touching any subject or matter pertaining to
his office.
Sec. 10. Any bill passed by the board of councilmen shall, before
it becomes a law, be presented to the mayor for his .approval. If he
approves it, he shall sign it ; if not, he shall return it, with his objections,
to the board, who may reconsider the same ; and if a majority of the
whole board of councilmen shall pass said bill the second time, it shall
become a law ; and in all cases the yeas and nays shall be entered on
the journal.
Sec. 11. The style of the laws of this corporation shall be, "Be it
ordained by the mayor and councilmen of the city of Rock Port ;" and
all ordinances shall, within one month after they are passed, be published
by six printed or written hand bills, posted at that many public places
in said city.
Sec. 12. The mayor and each of the councilmen, as well as any
other officer of said corporation, shall, before entering into the duties of
their respective offices, take an oath or affirmation before some judge or
justice of the peace, to support the Constitution of the United States
and the Constitution of the State of Missouri, and faithfully to demean
himself in office.
Sec. 13. A general election for corporation officers shall be held on
the third Saturday in July in each and every year.
Sec. 14. All free white citizens of the rge of twenty-one years and
upwards, who shall have resided in the state for twelve months or
CLAY TOWNSHIP. 655
upwards, and in the city for three months, next preceding any election,
shall be entitled to a vote at such election for city officers; and at all
elections the vote shall be given by ballot.
Sec. 15. At such general election of the officers of the city, there
shall be elected a city marshal, who at the time of said election shall
possess the the same qualifications as required of councilmen, who shall,
before entering upon the duties of his office, take the oath prescribed in
this act, and enter into bond, with one or more securities, such as said
mayor may approve of, conditioned for the faithful discharge of the duties
of his office ; and said marshal shall possess the same powers and per-
form the same duties as a constable in his township, within the limits of
said city, and shall execute and return all processes which may be issued
by the mayor, or any justice of the peace in the city, which may be
delivered to him ; and shall perform such other duties as may be pre-
scribed by ordinance ; and he shall be entitled to the same fees as con-
stables of townships are entitled to, for similar services in civil cases ;
and shall be entitled to the same fees as sheriffs, for returning all pro-
cesses in criminal cases ; provided, that in all cases in which a writ shall
be placed in his hands for the arrest of any person, for an offense within
the city, he shall have power to execute the same anywhere in Atchison
County. He shall be a conservator of the peace ; and in all cases of
breaches of the peace, he shall have power to arrest the offending party
or parties, without a warrant from the mayor ; and in cases of resistance,
he shall have power to summon a posse to secure the arrest of such
offender or offenders.
Sec. 16. The mayor shall have power, in all cases of riot and unlaw-
ful assemblies, affrays, assaults and batteries, and other breaches of the
public peace of said city, to punish by fine or imprisonment, or both, if
necessary.
Sec. 17. Appeals may be allowed from the judgment of the mayor,
in all civil cases in which he has a concurrent jurisdiction with justices
of the peace, in the same manner and with like effect as appeals are now
allowed by law from judgments of justices of the peace in civil cases.
Sec. 18. The mayor shall have exclusive original jurisdiction in all
cases arising under this act of incorporation, and under all the ordi-
nances of the city.
Sec. 19. The mayor shall hold a court once in every two months,
and a transcript of his judgment filed in like manner, shall have the same
lien as transcripts of judgments of justices of the peace.
Sec. 20. The citizens of the City of Rock Port owning real property
therein, shall be exempt from working on any road beyond .the city
limits, or from paying any tax to procure labor therefor.
Sec. 21. Said corporation shall be governed by the same laws and
regulations that govern townships, in relation to granting license to
dram shops, tippling houses and groceries.
Sec. 22. The mayor and board of councilmen shall have power to
appoint a city register, assessor and collector, and such other officers as
they may, at any time deem necessary, who shall be sworn faithfully to
discharge the duties of their offices ; and shall, if required, give bond with
satisfactory security to the corporation, conditioned for the due perform-
ance of their respective duties.
Sec. 23. All acts and parts of acts inconsistent with this act are
hereby repealed.
656 HISTORY Of ATCHISON COUNTY.
The first mayor of Rock Port was Thomas M. Rash. George E.
McCleery was the first marshal.
EXTENSION OF CORPORATE LIMITS.
A special act of the General Assembly passed November 21, 1857,
is to the following effect : " That the corporate limits of the city of
Rock Port be changed so as to include in said incorporation all that
part of Rock Port originally laid out by Nathan Meek, and all that por-
tion laid out by Nuckolls & White, and all that portion of land known
as Meek's Addition, and also a piece of land lying on the south side of
the city and bounded as follows : Commencing at the northeast corner
of a field known as Nuckoll's field, then running south along Nuckoll's
fence to the south line of a five acre tract of land, sold by said Nuckolls
to John W. Ellis ; thence east along said south line to the center of
Rock Creek ; thence up the channel of said creek to a point imme-
diately east of the north line of Meek's Addition ; thence west to the
northeast corner of Meek's Addition.
2. The city council may divide the city into two convenient
wards.
3. All ordinances shall, within one month after they are passed, be
published in some public newspaper or by six written or printed hand-
bills at six public places within said incorporation. This act to take
•effect from and after its passage.
This charter was in force for several subsequent years, and Thomas
M. Rash, the first mayor elected under its provisions, had several suc-
cessors. During the stormy period of the rebellion, however, in com-
mon with many similar institutions, the Rock Port city government
sunk out of existence, and no records of its proceedings remain to
speak of its failure or success. «
SECOND INCORPORATION.
On the 27th of February, 1872, on the petition of A. B. McCreary,
James Buckham, and ninety others, the town of Rock Port was agaii
incorporated, and this time under the general laws of the state. This
incorporation included Nuckols & White's and Weeks' additions to the
town. Under this incorporation A. F. Tiffany, J. D. Dopf, James Buck-
ham, Christopher Schneider and Leopold Sanders were declared trustees.
The first chairman of the board elected was Daniel Snyder. This
was in April, 1872. At the April election of 1873, John W. Enoch was
-chosen chairman. The record from 1874 to 1878, is lost.
In April, 1878, J. P. Lewis, Esq., was elected chairman of the board.
May 24, 1878, Rock Port was incorporated as a city of the fourth
•class, and J. P. Lewis, chairman of the board of trustees, acted as mayor
CLAY TOWNSHIP. 657
till the succeeding election of April, 1879, when Malcolm McKillop was
chosen mayor for two years. At the regular election held April, 1879,
J. A. Newell, Esq., was chosen mayor for the ensuing two years.
The present (1882) council are James B. Gray, John Grieves, W. J.
Harrington and O. H. Holland ; William Waddle, Marshal, and L. D.
Ramsay, City Attorney.
The following are the present
COUNTY OFFICIALS.
They are nearly all residents of the town of Rock Port, with the
exception of the judges of the county court, who are John T. Wells,
Albert Gerdes and William Camptori.
Frank M. Joslyn, Probate Judge.
John W. Smith, Circuit Clerk and Recorder.
William T. Buckham, Deputy Circuit Clerk and Recorder.
Martin Luther Lee, County Clerk.
Robert W. Trimble, Deputy County Clerk.
James B. Gray, Sheriff.
Don A. Colvin, Collector.
William Bentley, Assessor.
Stokely S. Hughes, Surveyor.
John C. Hunt, Prosecuting Attorney.
James McCartney, Public Administrator.
j. E. Spurlock, County Treasurer.
Doctor J. Clinton Hughes, Coroner.
D. McCall, County School Commissioner.
ECCLESIASTICAL — EARLY CHURCHES OF ROCK PORT.
In the year 1857 was erected the first church edifice in the town.
This was a primitive looking structure of the Noah's ark order of archi-
tecture, and was put up by the members of the Methodist Episcopal
Church. It stood on the north side of Mill Street between Market and
Nebraska Streets. A full description of this antique structure will be
found under the head of Union City, whither it: was subsequently moved
by the founder of that now (1882) defunct town.
The second church edifice erected in the town was also built in
1857, a short time after that of the M. E. Church. This was the orig-
inal structure of the Christian. Church, a sketch of which will be found
under the general head of "Christian Church."
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH SOUTH.
The third church edifice erected in the town of Rock Port was a
two-story brick structure which stood on the corner of Rock and Kan-
42
658 HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
sas Streets. This was built in the year 1858, and was a joint stock
enterprise. The upper floor was leased to North Star Lodge, No. 157,
A. F. and A. M., and was occupied by that body of the order for several
successive years. The lower floor was the property of the church. The
building, which was poorly constructed, has rather an unfortunate his-
tory. Its original cost was $2,800, but it seems that the same was
never entirely paid. During the period of the civil war, in common with
many a better building designed for the same purpose, it was suffered to
fall into decay and was used as a stable by the soldiers quartered in the
town. At the close of the war it was sold for debt, purchased by a rep-
resentative of the town and converted into a public school house. It
was occupied as such for some time subsequently, but the building
being deemed unsafe, it was ultimately condemned by the city authori-
ties and tore down. Its site is now occupied by a private residence.
Such is the history of the structure of the M. E. Church South in Rock
Port. Of the organization itself, which has long since lost its existence,
no record remains. Among the members, however, were Dr. J. Y.
Bird and wife, and Oliver Holland and wife. The doctor is a pioneer
and representative citizens of this county. Thus, of the three pioneer
church edifices of the town of Rock Port, all have disappeared from its site.
PRESENT (1882) RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS — THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH.
The Christian Church of Clay Township was originally organize<
near Fowler's Mill, as early as 1846, by Elder Richard Buckham, anc
was known for many years after as Rock Creek Christian Church. This
afterwards moved to Rock Port. In 1857 a frame church building was
erected on the north side of Boney Branch, on the present site fcf Johi
Grieve's residence, on Main Street. This was the second church edifia
put up in Rock Port. The building was afterwards blown down in
wind storm, and was never again raised. This was in 1865. The first
ministers of this church, in Rock Port, who preached in the building as
soon as it was completed, was Elder Mullis. His immediate successors
were Elders John Parker and John Sutton. When the organization first
moved from Rock Creek to Rock Port it included a membership of one
hundred and thirty. The church afterwards met in the South Methodist
Church building, under the Masonic Hall, a brick structure. In 1873
this building, which had at different periods been used for various pur-
poses, was deemed unsafe, and was accordingly taken down. The church
was then without a place of worship, and ceased to hold regular meet-
ings,- and though comparatively numerous the congregation was some-
what scattered, and for several years after the war the same was with-
out a building, and virtually without an organization. December 8, 1876,
the church was re-organized by Elder James Connoran, with the follow-
CLAY TOWNSHIP. 659
ing members : Jacob Underwood, Matilda Underwood, Lucinda Buck-
ham, O. G. Sparks, A. F. Sherfey, M. E. Davenport, James O. Crossley,
and Lydia A., his wife ; Elizabeth Templeton, Mary Cooper, Lena Mor-
ris, Sarah Courtright, James A. Taylor, and Mary, his wife ; John G. and
Virginia Sutton, James Connoran and Nannie Connoran, W. W. Conno-
ran, W. F. Drake, W. J. Harrington, Flora Prickett, Dr. C. V. Snow and
Margaret Snow, his wife ; Betty Foster, Leland Barnes, Nancy Kellogg,
Alice Kellogg, Elijah Courtright, John Todd, Susan Brazele, Samuel
Huff, and Annie Huff, his wife ; D. S. Burks and Martha Burks, C. O.
Snow, and James Burnes and his wife, Emma Burnes. For some time
after this re-organization of the church the congregation were without a
place of meeting of their own, and held their services either in rented
halls or in the houses of worship of other denominations. Elder J. W.
Tate succeeded Elder Connoran in the pastoral charge of this church in
1879. 1° ^82 they erected on the southeast corner of Clay and Market
Streets, at a cost of $2,500, a frame edifice 34x50 feet in extent. This
building is now (1882) temporarily occupied by the courts of the county.
This privilege was granted in view of the unsafe condition of the court
house. The church now includes a membership of about fifty, and is in
a prosperous condition.
ROCK PORT MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH.
This organization was originally instituted in the town of Linden,
in the year 1852, with seven members, including W. S. Holloway and
wife.
The first minister of this congregation was Elder James Renfrew.
His successors, in turn, were Elders Elias Finley, Milt Williams and
William H. Wood. During the period of nineteen years that this organ-
ization had an existence in Linden, they were without a church building
of their own, and used for the purpose of public worship, the school
house, or such other accommodations as were from time to time offered.
In 18/1, the organization moved to Rock Port, and in 1872, was
erected the present neat frame structure in the southern part of the city
on the southwest corner of Kansas and Calhoun Streets, fronting on the
former and due west of the public school. The building, which is fifty
by twenty-seven feet in extent, is a well proportioned gothic, with tower
including belfry at the south or front entrance. Its entire cost was
about two thousand dollars. The first minister who served in this church
was Elder C. L. Butts, whose ministry ended in 1874, when he was suc-
ceeded in the pulpit by Elder R. M. Rhodes. In 1876, Elder Thomas
Cook became pastor of the congregation, serving till 1877, when Elder
William Haw succeeded him. At the close of his term, in 1879, no suc-
cessor was appointed, and the vacancy remained unsupplied until the
660 HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
fall of 1880, when Elder William Stewart, of Quincy, Illinois, became
pastor, and continued to serve for one year.
The church was then without a regular pastor till the spring of 1882,
when Elder H. J. Latour, recently of Maryville, Nodaway County, Mis-
souri, was chosen minister, to enter on his duties in the month of May
of that year. The present (1882) membership of this church is about one
hundred.
A prosperous Sunday School, with an average attendance of sixty
scholars, is attached to this church. It is conducted by George A. Pin-
nell, aided by five assistant teachers.
GERMAN LUTHERAN CHURCH.
The German Lutheran Church, a frame building on the south side
of Clay Street, one door below the corner of Bluff, was erected in
1864, at a cost of $1,300. The edifice is a neat structure, twenty-six by
forty feet. Though plain in design, its elevated site renders its unpre-
tending steeple a prominent landmark ot the town. The church was
organized as early as 1858, by the Rev. Charles Staus, with the following
members : Frederick Traub, George L. Bischof, Frederick Schmidt,
William Hartman, Martin Grebe, Charles Vogler, Peter Walder, G. Vohl
and George Traub.
The other ministers after Staus, have been in succession, Rev. Mr.
Uber, Rev. Mr. Groenmiller, Rev. Mr. Pinkhart and the Rev. Leonard
Boewerlein, the present (1882) minister, who entered on his pastoral
duties here in 1875. The organization is in a prosperous condition, and
includes a membership of above fifty of both sexes. George L. Bischof
is the superintendent of a prosperous Sunday School connected with
this church.
Frederick Traub, one of the original organizers of the congregation,
presented in 1875, this church with a bell valued at sixty-five dollars.
The parsonage, a neat story and a-half frame building, stands on the
corner lot adjoining the town site on the north, and also fronts on Clay
Street.
It is claimed that one-third the population of Atchison County, are
either Germans or descendants of persons of that nationality.
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
We have already referred to the fact that this was the first religious
organization to erect a building in Rock Port, and one of the earliest
established in the county. It appears from the imperfect records of that
period, yet extant, that the preacher in charge of the Rock Port circuit
from i860 to 1861, was the Rev. Albert Clemmens.
CLAY TOWNSHIP. 66l
The next report on record is of a quarterly conference of St. Joseph
district, held in the town of Rock Port, April 8, 1864, Rev. S. Huffman,
Presiding Elder, in the chair, Thomas Holland, Secretary, Rev. H. G.
Breed, preacher in charge, Rev. P. J. W. Ellis, local preacher, E. D.
Scammon, Jacob Hughes, and E. Proudfit, Stewards. At this meeting
the sum of $45 was voted for ministerial support.
At the second quarterly meeting of the Rock Port Circuit, held at
High Creek, July, 1864, Rev. S. Huffman, Presiding Elder, and M. J.
Porter, Secretary, the Rock Port Circuit was made up of the following
appointments : Rock Port, Hugh's Class, Union City, Yorktown, Van
Gundy's, Fancy Bottom, High Creek and Shandy's, in Nishnebotna
Township.
On the 10th of September, 1864, the quarterly conference assembled
at a camp-meeting held on the farm of Callaway Millsaps. At this
assembly Rev. S. Huffman also presided. The receipts, on this occasion,
for ministerial support amounted to $175.25, a considerable increase over
the same of April preceding.
At the quarterly conference, held in Rock Port, April 15, 1865, Rev.
S. Huffman, Presiding Elder, Rev. H. G. Breed was chosen minister in
charge, and Rev. W. N. Ballinger, local deacon ; J VanGundy, J. W.
Ellis, J. Estrich, J. York and H. Davis, exhorters.
At the second quarterly meeting, held July 8, 1865, at Irish Grove,
seven Sunday-Schools were reported, with an average attendance of 270.
March 31, 1866, Rev. W. S. Blackburn became preacher in charge of
the Rock Port Circuit.
At the quarterly meeting held at VanGundy's, June 4, 1867, W. S.
Blackburn, still preacher in charge ; VanGundy, Spurlock and Ballinger
local preachers. At this meeting the Rock Port Circuit was divided by
a north and south line, between Rock Port and Union City.
Of the time elapsing between the years 1867 and 1871, no record
remains. It was during this period that the brick church on the north
side of Rock Street, between Market and Nebraska Streets, was built.
It is a plain brick structure, forty by sixty feet in extent, and was com-
pleted at a cost of about five thousand dollars, (considerably more than
the expense of erecting such a building at the present.) The building
committee were composed of Thomas Holland, — Grebe, Valentine Liv-
ingston, Jacob Hughes and Robert Hunter.
At the quarterly conference held May 13, 1871, S. W. Thornton was
preacher in charge, and J. W. Blackburn, secretary. The appointment
of John D. Dopf as Sunday School superintendent, was approved by the
conference.
At the period of this meeting, Mount Vernon, McKissick's Grove,
High Creek and Watson, composed the Rock Port Circuit. The local
preachers were J. W. Ellis and Cyrus Spurlock.
662 HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
In a storm which occurred April 8, 1871, the church in Rock Port
was unroofed. Its repair involved an expenditure of five hundred dollars.
In 1872, J. W. Blackburn was elected lay delegate to the annual
conference, and Jacob Hughes, alternate.
At the quarterly conference held April 27, 1872, Rev. Z. S. Weller,
Presiding Elder, Rev. F. H. Graham was appointed preacher in charge of
the Rock Port Circuit, with the same local preachers as before reported.
John D. Dopf was approved Sunday School superintendent.
In this year a frame building was erected on the church lot, at a cost
of $500. This was for the purpose of a parsonage.
At the session of the conference held May 5, 1873, Rev. Z. S. Wel-
ler, Presiding Elder, A. H. Powell was appointed preacher in charge of
the circuit, and J. W. Blackburn approved Sunday School superinten-
dent. The same local preachers as before.
April 2, 1874, Rev. Z. S. Weller, Presiding Elder, W. P. Bishop
was appointed preacher in charge ; T. C. Gifford was appointed Sunday-
day School superintendent. At this session James Low, Jacob Hughes,
John Tuck, Valentine Livingston and T. C. Gifford were approved as
trustees of church property.
The report of May 5, 1875, shows the same presiding elder, preacher
and Sunday School superintendent as the previous year.
July, 1876, Rev. Eri Edmunds was appointed preacher in charge and
John D. Dopf approved Sunday School superintendent.
In 1877, Rock Port and Union City Circuits were united, and Rev.
D. B. Lake and Rev. Eri Edmunds were appointed pastors in charge,
and John D. Dopf was approved as Sunday School superintendent.
Rev. Joseph Hopkins was at that period presiding elder of the Saint
Joseph district.
In October, 1877, Rev. D. B. Lake was transferred to Maryville, and
Rev. S. Taylor was sent by Rev. Joseph Hopkins, the presiding elder, to
fill out his unexpired term in Rock Port.
In 1878, Rock Port was made a station, and Rev. M. B. Hyde was
appointed pastor, and A. E. Wyatt was approved Sunday School super-
intendent.
March 31, 1879, Rev. John Wayman was presiding elder of St.
Joseph district, and Rev. Charles Balson was appointed pastor in charge
of Rock Port station. March, 1880, Rev. D. B. Lake was appointed
pastor in charge, and A. E. Wyatt, approved Sunday School superin-
tendent. John W. Smith, E. Spurlock, John D. Dopf, and Jacob Hughes
were appointed trustees of the church.
March, 1881, the same appointments were retained.
The present (1882) membership of this church is ninety-two. Num-
ber in Sunday School, 107. One principal and eight assistant teachers.
Amount expended yearly for school literature, $60.
x
ROCK PORT" PUBLIC SCHOOL BUILDING.
CLAY TOWNSHIP. 663
OLD SCHOOL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
On the 24th of March, 1877, the Old School Presbyterian Church of
Rock Port was transferred to the Southern Presbytery. At that period
Robert Lynn being the only elder, John H. Laird was also chosen to
that position. L. C. Christian, Dr. J. L.Tracy and William A. Thomson
were chosen deacons, and Rev. H. P. Willis pastor of the congregation.
The entire membership of the church, at that time, included the follow-
ing fourteen members : Robert Lynn and wife, William A. Thomson and
wife, Doctor J. L. Tracy, J. H. Laird and wife, Mrs. Daniel Snyder, Mrs.
L. M. Hawthorn, P. R. Wagor, L. C. Christian and wife, Miss Alice
Squire and Miss Hattie Squire.
The present (1882) membership of the church is about thirty, and
the pastor in charge, Rev. F. J. Reichert.
The present church edifice on the southwest corner of Clay and
Nebraska Streets, was erected in 1877, at a cost of three thousand dol-
lars. It is a neat frame structure, thirty-two by fifty feet in extent. On
the re-organization of the church, Robert Lynn was appointed superin-
tendent of the Sunday School. His successor, P. R. Wagor, is the
present official, aided by several assistants. The school includes an
average attendance of forty scholars.
EDUCATIONAL — PUBLIC SCHOOLS OF ROCK PORT.
It is scarcely necessary to state that, during the period of the civil
war, there was a general suspension of the public schools in this part of
the country. Of those which existed prior to that event no record now
remains. On the return of peace, however, the people of Atchison
County were among the first to set about the reorganization of their pub-
lic schools, and at an election held in the town of Rock Port, on the 8th
day of April, 1865, P. A. Thompson, W. G. Bartholomew and John D.
Dopf were elected directors of district 2, which included the city. The
first teacher in Rock Port, at this revival period, was Miss Jaimeson.
Her school opened in the fall of 1865. In the following year she was
succeeded by Professor Sherlock.
These facts we gather from the columns of. the Atchison County
Journal, the official records of the public schools being in an imperfect
condition, and extending but a comparatively short period remote from
the present time.
About the year 1869, it appears that the educational interests of
Rock Port had been sufficiently advanced to warrant the maintenance of
two teachers, though, as yet, neither the town nor district in which it
was included was provided with a school building proper. In the fall of
that year Professor H. R. Charles, assisted by Miss Johnson, taught in
664 HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
the old Masonic Hall building, which then stood on the corner of Mill
and Nebraska Streets. This room had, prior to the war, been owned
and occupied by the M. E. Church, South, who, in conjunction with the
Masonic fraternity, had erected the building, a two story structure, the
upper floor of which was occupied by the last mentioned society.
In consequence, however, of the seemingly precarious condition of
the building, which appeared about to fall, Professor Charles moved
his school into the present M. E. Church building, on the northwest
corner of Rock and Nebraska Streets, and there completed his term.
The rickety old house, out of which he had moved, was, however, again
for a short time used for school purposes.
The session of 1870-71 was taught by Professor S. J. Osborn, with
one assistant. The session of 1871-72 was taught by Walter Wickens,
assisted by Miss Clark.
In 1870, under the general law of 1865, five adjoining districts united,
and put up, at a cost of $5,-500, a two-story brick building, on an eleva-
tion at the northern extremity of Rock Port. This building was called
the Central School. It includes four rooms, two on each floor. The *
school opened in the fall of 1870, with Professor E. L. Clark as Principal,
and Mrs. Martha B. Clark as Assistant.
During the session of 1871-72 Rev. C. L. Butts was Principal,
assisted by Miss Alice Spratlin.
The session of 1873 opened in the fall with Professor V. M. Babbitt
as Principal, aided by one assistant. This was the last session taught of
what was known as the Central School.
In 1872 the town district consisted of sub-district No. 2 of the town-
ship, built in the southern part of the town of Rock Port, at a cost of
$7,500, a two-story brick building, with two school rooms, one on each
floor, with the necessary ante-rooms. This building, though substantial
in point of construction and entirely modern in design and appoint-
ments, is surmounted by a roof anything but creditable to the taste of
the architect, and suggests the idea of a cross between a mill and a
smoke house.
Professor E. J. H. Beard, now (1882) principal of the Hamburg
Public Schools, taught the first school in the new building. This was in
1872-3. He taught six months. He was succeeded in the following
fall by E. T. Petit.
The Central School building was leased to the Rock Port schools in
June, 1874, and said schools were reorganized under the town and vil-
lage act. Professor W. F. Drake was appointed principal of these insti-
tutions. The term "Central" school, heretofore applied to the older
building in the northern part of the town, was discontinued and the
name " Seminary " substituted therefor. In this building are taught the
higher grades of instruction.
CLAY TOWNSHIP. 665;
Professor Drake, during this term, was assisted in the schools by
Miss Mary L. Osborn and Mrs. A. E. Williams.
In the fall of 1875 the schools opened with Professor W. F. Drake,,
assisted by Miss Alice Parker, Mrs. A. E. Williams and Miss Lida
Potter.
The school year of 1 876— '77 opened in the fall with Professor W. F.
Drake, Principal, assisted by Miss Mollie Hopkins, Mrs. A. E. Williams
and Miss Lida Potter.
In the fall of 1877 W. F. Drake was again principal, assisted by
Miss Mollie Hopkins, Mrs. A. E. Williams and Miss Amy Schuler.
During the school -year of i878-'79 Professor Drake, Principal, was
assisted by Miss Alice B. Cline, Miss Louisa Cooley, Miss Leola Munn
and Miss Amy Schuler.
The following sessions were taught by the same principal and
assistants.
In the fall of 1880 the schools opened and were taught during that
school year by Professor E. R. Carr, Principal, assisted by Miss Lena
•Bush, Miss Louisa Cooley, Miss Idalette Willis and Miss Gertrude
Rhoda.
The schools of 1881-82 were taught by Professors W. D. Guttry, C*.
A. Pike, Miss Louisa Cooley, Mrs. C. A. Pike and Miss G. Rhoda.
From the imperfect records extant we learn the fact that in 187 1
George Traub, John Shelters and J. P. Lewis were elected directors of
the Central School. In the following year they were succeeded by J. P.
Lewis, A. E. Wyatt and James Tate.
The next election for Rock Port school directors of which there is
any record extant, occurred in 1874, when, under the reorganization
act, Jacob Hughes, James M. Templeton, A. E. Wyatt, John P. Lewis,.
George L. Bischof and Abraham Penny were chosen directors.
In 1875 the same parties were directors.
In 1876 A. E. Wyatt, John P. Lewis, George L. Bischof, Abraham
Penny, Dr. C. V. Snow and Malcolm McKillop were directors.
In 1877, the same were in office, and remained during the entire
year, with the exception of A. Penny, who resigned during the middle
of the term, when he was succeeded by Jacob Hughes.
At the election of 1878, John W. Smith, Frederick Traub and John
P. Lewis were chosen directors for the term of two years, and Leopold
Sanders, George A. Pinnell and George Deuser for the term of one year.
The board, in 1879, included George A. Pinnell, S. E. Williams, A.
E. Wyatt, Frederick Traub, John W. Smith and John P. Lewis.
In 1880, the board consisted of George A. Pinnell, S. E. Williams,
Frederick Traub, William P. Watson, A. E. Wyatt and John P. Lewis.
666 HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
ROCK PORT COLLEGE.
In September, 1880, Elders Tate and Quick, two ministers of the
Christian Church, started a college in the small and antiquated hotel
building on the northeast corner of Main and Clay Streets. At the end
of its first scholastic year, this institution suspended, the enterprise hav-
ing resulted in a complete failure. The cause of this failure was lack of
patronage, due probably to the excellent character of the public schools,
which provided the same means of education gratis. The institution
was designed to afford instruction to students of both sexes. On the
suspension of the college, the building reverted to its original and legit-
imate purpose of a hotel, and is now known as the Commercial House,
Thomas Tolliver, proprietor.
SECRET AND BENEVOLENT ORGANIZATIONS.
North Star Lodge No. 157, A. F. and A. M., in the town of Rock
Port, was organized U. D., October 11, 1855, and set to work by the Right
W., J. S. Tisdale, D. D. G. M.
The officers under this dispensation were G. A. Thomas, W. M.;
Solomon Wyatt, S. W.; David I. Martin, J. W.; John Lewis, Treasurer;
W. H. Dunbar, Secretary ; Silas Pryear, S. D.; R. K. Crandall, J. D., and
T. S. Moore, Tyler.
On the 29th day of May, 1856, the same was chartered by the Grand
Lodge of the State, of which L. S. Cornwell was, at that period, Grand
Master, and A. O'Sullivan Grand Secretary. The officers with which the
lodge was organized U. D., were retained under the charter. These
were installed on the 12th of July, 1856, by the Right W., James Foster,
D. D. G. M.
On the 24th of June, 1857, the following named officers were electee
and installed : G. A. Thomas, W. M.; Silas Preyear, S. W.; I. N. White,
J. W.; F. S. Moore, Treasurer ; W. H. Dunbar, Secretary ; G. Johnson,
S. D.; I. H. Athon, J. D., and J. Shandy, Steward and Tyler.
December 26, 1857, the following were elected : Silas Preyear, W.
M.; J. Y. Bird, S. W.; A. Lytord, J. W.; I. N. White, Treasurer ; R. K.
Crandall, Secretary; J. N. Arnold, S. D.; A. Beck, J. D., and John
Shandy, Tyler.
December 27, 1858, the following were elected : John W. Smith,
W. M.; W. H. Dunbar, S. W.; A. Lyford, J. W.; John Y. Bird, Treas-
urer ; John Athorn, Secretary, and A. Beck, Steward and Tyler.
At the regular annual election, held December 27, 1859, tne follow-
ing officers were chosen : John W. Smith, W. M.; W. H. Dunbar, S. W.;
W. E. Dillon, J. W.; F. S. Moore, Treasurer ; L. F. Cornutt, Secretary ;
J. H. Athorn, S. D.; W. N. Smith, J. D., and A. Beck, Steward and
Tyler.
CLAY TOWNSHIP. 667
December 27, i860, the following were elected : W. E. Dillon, W.
M.; C. F. Miller, S. W.; J. H. Athorn, J. W.; H. S. Thorpe, Secretary ;
Dr. J. Y. Bird, Treasurer, and Samuel Tate, Steward and Tyler.
During the two intervening years it appears that no election for
officers of the lodge was held. This was doubtless due to the distracted
condition of the country, consequent upon the civil war.
The next election occurred June 3, 1863, when the following were
chosen officers : John W. Smith, W. M.; R. K. Crandall, S. W.;I. N.
White, J. W.; F. S. Moore, Treasurer ; E. L. Clark, Secretary ; W. H.
Dunbar, S. D.; J. Y. Bird, J. D.; A. Beck, Tyler.
The election of December 27, 1863, resulted as follows : J. W. Smith,
W. M.; E. L. Clark, S. W.; F. M. Thompson, J. W.; John Dozier, Treas-
urer ; W. H. Dunbar, Secretary ; I. N.White, S. D.: J. L. Shelters, J. D.;
Aquilla Beck, Steward and Tyler.
On December 27, 1864, the following were chosen : John W. Smith,
W. M.; I. N. White, S. W.; W. L. Reeves, J. W.; F. M. Thompson, Treas-
urer ; L. H. Ruland, Secretary ; W. Sparks, Steward and Tyler.
December 27, 1865, the following were chosen : I. N. White, W. M
F. M. Thompson, S. W.; W. L. Reeves, J. W.; E. L. Clark, Treasurer
William Sparks, Secretary; C. V. Snow, S. D.; George Wood, J. D
William Sparks, Tyler.
December 27, 1866, the officers elected were : Isaac N. White, W.
M.; F. M. Thompson, S. W.; George E. Wood, J. W.; L. H. Ruland,
Secretary; E. L. Clark, Treasurer ; E. Small, S. D.; Robert Hunter, J.
D.; George Steck, S. S.; L. E. Christian, J. S.; Godfrey Vohl, Tyler.
December 27, 1867, the officers elected were : F. M. Thompson, W.
M.; George E. Wood, S. W.; John D. Dopf, J. W.; Robert Hunter, Treas-
urer; L. H. Ruland, Secretary; E. Small, S. D., James Tate, J. D.; J.
Hughes, S. S.; George Steck, J. S.; Godfrey Vohl, Tyler.
December 27, 1868, were, chosen ; I. N. White, W. M.; George E.
Wood, S. W.; John D. Dopf, J. W.; Robert Hunter, Treasurer ; Malcolm
McKillop, Secretary; E. Small, S. D.; James Tate, J. D.; Jacob Hughes,
S. S.; George Steck, J. S.; C. H. Imhoff, Tyler.
December 23, 1869, the election resulted as follows: A. E. Wyatt,
W. M.; A. F. Tiffany, S. W.; A. S. Morgan, J. W.; Robert Hunter,
Treasurer ; M. McKillop, Secretary ; Jacob Hughes, Tyler.
December 3, 1870, the following were elected : A. F. Tiffany, W. M.;
M. McKillop, S. W.; James Tate, J. W.; A. E. Wyatt, Treasurer ; L.
Sanders, Secretary; J. L. Tracy, S. D.; George Steck, J. D.; James B.
Gray, Tyler.
December 23, 1871, the officers elected were Malcolm McKillop, W.
M.; Philip Reitz, S. W.; L. J. Huffman, J. W.; A. E. Wyatt, Treasurer;
L. Sanders, Secretary; James Tate, S. D.; George Steck, J. D.; J. F.
Hum, S. S.; Charles Volkman, J. S.; H. Warneke, Tyler.
668 HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
December 27, 1872, the election was as follows: M. McKillop, W.
M.; John D. Dopf, S. W.; George Steck, J. W.; C. Schneider, Treas-
urer ; L. Sanders, Secretary; J. F. Hum, S. D.; George Pinnell, J. D.;
Philip Reitz, S. S.; L. J. Huffman, J. S. ; Solomon Sanders, Tyler.
December 13, 1873, the election was as follows: M. McKillop, W.
M.; C. Schneider, S. W.; J. D. Dopf, J. W.; George A. Pinnell, Treas-
urer ; F. T. Simmons, Secretary ; J. F. Hum, S. D.; J. F. Cooper, J. D.;
A. A. Windell, Tyler.
December 12, 1874, the officers elected were John W. Smith, W. M-;
C. Schneider, S. W.; A. E. Wyatt, J. W.; George A. Pinnell, Treasurer ;
F. T. Simons, Secretary ; J. F. Hum, S. D.; J. F. Cooper, J. D.; James
B. Gray, S. S.; H. C. Burnham, J. S.; A. A. Windell, Tyler.
December 13, 1875, the officers elected were John W. Smith, W. M.;
C. Schneider, S. W.; A. E. Wyatt, J. W.; J. Pinnell, Treasurer; F. T.
Simons, Secretary; L. J. Huffman, S. D.; J. F. Hum, J. D. ; A. Windell,
Tyler.
December 7, 1876, the officers elected were C. Schneider, W. M.; J.
F. Hum, S. W. ; George A. Pinnell, J. W.; James Tate, Treasurer ; F.
T. Simons, Secretary ; J. L. Huffman, S. D.; William Welch, J. D., and
A. Windell, Tyler.
December, 1877, the election resulted as follows : A. E. Wyatt, W.
M.; John F. Hum, S. W.; S. E. Williams, J. W.; F. T. Simons, Secre-
tary ; John W. Smith, Treasurer; P. R. Wagor, S. D.; S. J. Osborn, J.
D., and A. Windell, Tyler.
December 14, 1878, the following were elected : A. E. Wyatt, W.
'm.; John W. Smith, S. W.; S. E. Williams, J. W.; Jacob Hughes, Treas-
urer; F. T. Simons, Secretary; P. R. Wagor, S. D.; S. J. Osborn, J. D.,
and G. W. Foutch, Tyler.
December 13, 1879, the following were elected : John F. Hum, W.
M.; John W. Smith, S. W.; J. D. Dopf, J. W.; T. A. Foster, Treasurer
F. T.Simons, Secretary; Fred. Schonecke, S. D.; T. J. Rice, J. D., and
G. W. Foutch, Tyler.
December n, 1880, the officers elected were : John F. Hum, W. M.
John W. Smith, S. W. ; Edward Powell, J. W. ; Jacob Hughes, Treasurer ;
F. T. Simons, Secretary; Frederick Schonecke, S. D.; T. J. Rice, J. D.;
William Opp, Tyler.
December 17, 1881, the officers elected were: John W. Smith, W.
M.; L. D. Ramsey, S. W.; M. L. Lee, J. W.; Jacob Hughes, Treasurer;
J. A. Newell, Secretary ; J. W. Peck, S. D.; T. J. Rice, J. D.; A. Windell,
S. S.; H. F. Staple, J. S.; A. Kidd, Tyler.
ZERUBBABEL ROYAL ARCH CHAPTER NO. 59,
was first instituted and set to work, U. D., in Phelps City, Missouri, Feb-
ruary 10, 1870, by Samuel Russell, District Deputy Grand High Priest,
CLAY TOWNSHIP. 669
acting as proxy for the Most Eminent Grand High Priest of the Grand
Royal Arch Chapter of Missouri. The officers under this dispensation
were John Blake, M. E. H. P.; F. M. Thompson, E. K. ; I. N. White, E. S.;
R. N. Buckham, C. H.; M. Groundstein, P. S.; . H. Rogers, R. A. C: A.
L. Williams, G. M. 3d V.; George E. Wood, G. M. 2d V.; John McNeal,
Jr., G. M. 1st V.; P. A. Thompson, Guard.
At a special convocation held in the Masonic Hall, in Phelps City,
October 26, 1870, by virtue of its charter, then and there read, Zerubba-
bel Royal Arch Chapter No. 59, held its first election, with the following
result: Isaac N. White, M. E. H. P.; F. M. Thompson, E. K.; C. M.
Harris, E. S.; George E. Wood, C. H.; George L. Baird, P. S.; P. A.
Thompson, R. A. C; David McNeal, Treasurer ; L.H. Ruland, Secretary:
A. L. Williams, G. M. 3d V.; John McNeal, G. M. 2d V.; A. W. Buck-
ham, G. M. 1st V.; L. C. Onyett, Guard.
The second annual election, which was held December 30, 1871,
resulted as follows : P. A. Thompson, M. E. H. P.; I. N. White, E. K.;
Robert Hunter, E. S.; A. L. Williams, C. H.; George L. Baird, P. S.; G.
E. Wood, R. A. C; Malcolm McKillop, G. M. 3d V.; David McNeal, G.
M. 2d V.; William Morgan, G. M. 1st V.; F. M. Thompson, Treasurer ;
L. H. Ruland, Secretary ; A. J. Hughes, Guard.
The election for officers, held December 18, 1872, resulted as follows :
F. M. Thompson, M. E. H. P.; I. N. White, E. K.; A. A. Tayman, E. S.;
George E. Wood, C. H.; George S. Baird, P. S.; H. L. Christ, R. A. C;
A. L. Williams, G. M. 3d V.; John McNeal, G. M. 2d V., E. C. Smith, G.
M. 1st V.; L. H. Ruland, Secretary ; A. A. Tayman, Treasurer ; A. J.
Hughes, Sentinel.
The following were chosen at the regular annual election, held in
Phelps City, December 17, 1873: George S. Baird, M. E. H. P.; M.
McKillop, E. K.; W. H. Morgan, E. S.; A. L. Williams, C. H.; J. D. Dopf,
P. S. ; F. M. Thompson, Secretary; E. C. Smith, Treasurer ; H. D. Christ,
R. A. C; J. B.Johnson, G. M. 3d V.; Henry Warnecke, G. M. 2d V.; Syl-
vester Hall, G. M. 1st V.
At the regular convocation held at Masonic Hall, in Phelps City,
January 20, 1874, an election held by virtue of a dispensation from the
M. E. G. H. P. of the State of Missouri, resulted as follows*: George S.
Baird, M. E. H. P.; John D. Dopf, E. K.; William H. Morgan, E. S.; A.
L. Williams, C. H.; George E. Wood, P. S.; James B. Johnson, R. A. C;
A. J. Hughes, G. M. 3rd V.; Robert Hunter, G. M. 2nd V.; E. C. Smith,
G. M. 1st V.; A. A. Tayman, Treasurer ; F. M. Thompson, Secretary.
At a regular convocation held at the above mentioned hall, February
17, 1875, the following elected officers were installed : George S. Baird,
M. E. H. P.; John D. Dopf, E. K.; William H. Morgan, E. S.; A. L. Will-
iams, C. H.; George E. Wood, P. S.; J, B. Johnson, R. A. C; A.J.
Hughes, G. M. 3d V.; Robert Hunter, G. M. 2d V.; E. C. Smith, G. M.
670 HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
1st V.; A. A. Tayman, Treasurer; F. M. Thompson, Secretary ; A. W.
Buckham, Guard.
At a regular convocation held in Phelps City, December 27, 1876,
the following officers were elected : George S. Baird, M. E. H. P.; Joseph
R. Dodds, E. K.; A. A. Tayman, Scribe ; A. L. Williams, C. H.; John
Lauterbach, P. S.; George E. Wood, R. A.C.; A. J. Hughes, G. M. 3d V.;
E. C. Smith, G. M. 2d V.; Joseph H. Hogrefe, G. M. 1st V;. W. G. Bar-
tholomew, Treasurer ; F. M. Thompson, Secretary ; William J. Reynolds,
Guard. John Lauterbach and E. C Smith were appointed Stewards.
The following officers were chosen at a regular convocation held at
Masonic Hall, in Phelps City, December 19, 1877 : A. L. Williams, M.
E. H. P.; Jacob Hughes, E. K.; J. R. Dodds, E. S.; George E. Wood, C.
H.; George S. Baird, P. S.; John Lauterbach, R. A. C; A. J. Hughes, G.
M. 3d V.; W. G. Bartholomew, G. M. 2d V.; E. C. Smith, G. M. 1st V.;
W. J. Reynolds, Treasurer ; F. M. Thompson, Secretary ; Henry
Warnecke, Guard ; A. A. Tayman and W. G. Bartholomew, Stewards.
At a regular convocation held February 5, 1879, the following officers
were chosen at an election held by virtue of a special dispensation from
the G. H. P. of the state : George S. Baird, M. E. H. P.; P. A. Thomp-
son, E. K.; L. H. Ruland, E. S.; George E. Wood, C. H.; John Lauter-
bach, P. S.; John D. Dopf, R. A. C; A. J. Hughes, G. M. 3d V.; Samuel
Van Gundy, G. M. 2d V.; W. G. Bartholomew, G. M. 1st V.; A. T. Tay-
man, Treasurer; F. M. Thompson, Secretary ; W. J. Reynolds, Sentinel.
W. G. Bartholomew and George E. Wood were appointed Stewards.
The last convocation of Zerubbabel Chapter in the town of Phelps
occurred January 12, 1881. At this meeting the following officers were
elected and installed : George S. Baird, M. E. H. P.; M. McKillop, E.
K.; J. W. Smith, E. S.; George E. Wood, C. H.; J. H. Hurn, P. S.; J. D.
Dopf, R. A. C; A. J. Hughes, G. M. 3d V.; S. Van Gundy, G. M. 2d V;
E. C. Smith, G. M. 1st V.; Jacob Hughes, Treasurer, and J. B. Johnson,
Secretary. It was also determined to move the seat of the Chapter from
Phelps City to the town of Rock Port, where the same afterwards assem-
bled for the first time, March 9, 1881.
The election for officers, December 1, 1881, the first held in Rock
Port, resulted as follows : George S. Baird, M. E. H. P.; M. McKillop,
E. K.; J. W. Smith, E. S.; J. D. Dopf, C. H.; J. F. Hurn, P. S.; E. F.
Powell, R. A. C; Samuel Van Gundy, G. M. 3d V.; J. J. Denny, G. M.
2d V.; E. C. Smith, G. M., 1st V.; Jacob Hughes, Treasurer ; J. B. John-
son, Secretary, and A. Buckham, Guard.
ADONIRAM COUNCIL ROYAL AND SELECT MASTERS
was constituted U. D. in the town of Phelps City, April 7, 1871, and set
to work by John Blake, T. I. G. M., of the Council of Brownsville,
CLAY TOWNSHIP. 6/1
Nebraska. The following officers were then chosen : I. N. White, T. I.
G. M.; John McNeal, C. of T.; George L. Baird, C. of W.; A. L'. Wil-
liams, C. of C ; F. M. Thompson, C. of G. ; L. H. Ruland, Recorder; R,
N. Buckham, Treasurer ; George E. Wood, Steward ; John D. Dopf,
Sentinel.
At a regular meeting held October 21, 1871, M. P. G. M., W. A.
Proll, being present, presented the charter empowering Adoniram
Council, No. 12, to meet and work. The following officers were then
elected; G. S. Baird, T. I. G. M.; Isaac N. White, D. G. M.; F. M.
Thompson, C. of W. ; P. A. Thompson, Treasurer ; L. H. Ruland,
Recorder; J. D. Dopf, C. of G; A. L. Williams, C. of C; George E.
Wood, Steward ; A. J. Hughes, Sentinel.
On the 18th of December, 1872, occurred with the following result
the second election: George S. Baird, T. I. G. M. ; I. N. White, D. G.
M.; F. M. Thompson, P. C. of W.; A. L. Williams, C. of C; G. E.
Wood, C. of G. ; A. A. Tayman, Treasurer ; John McNeal, Recorder;
E. C. Smith, Steward ; A. J. Hughes, Sentinel.
December 17, 1873, the following officers were elected : George S.
Baird, T. I. G. M.; M. McKillop, D. G. M.; John D. Dopf, C. of W.; A.
L. Williams, C. of C; J. B. Johnson, C. of G.; F. M. Thompson,
Recorder ; E. C. Smith, Treasurer.
By special dispensation an election for officers was held January 20,.
1875, and resulted as follows : George S. Baird, T. I. G. M.; George E.
Wood, C. of T.; John D. Dopf, C. of W.; A. L. Williams, C. of C; F.
M. Thompson, Recorder ; A. A. Tayman, Treasurer ; E. C. Smith,
Steward ; P. A. Thompson, Sentinel.
This was the last council meeting which occurred in Phelps City.
The next session of Adoniram Council occurred April 13, 1881, ir»
Rock Port, whither that body had been moved. At this meeting was
held an election for officers with the following result : George S. Baird,
T. I. G. M.; John D. Dopf, D. G. M.; E. C. Smith, P. C. W.; R. Hunter,
Treasurer ; J. B. Johnson, Recorder ; George E. Wood, C. of G.; M.
McKillop, C. C; D. Roberts, Steward ; A. J. Hughes, Sentinel.
PLACES OF MEETING.
On the first organization, in 1855, of North Star Lodge, No. 157,
that body convened in a room at the west end of the second floor of the
old hotel building, which still stands on Mill Street, east of the corner
of Main, and is now (1882) known as the Valley House, and there
remained until the year 1859, when they moved into the brick building,
on the corner of Rock and Kansas Streets, which, after subserving many
purposes, was, after the close of the war, taken down, and the material,
of which it was composed, moved away. The lodge then, for some years,
672 HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
held its sessions in the Odd Fellows' Hall, on the southwest corner of
Main and Cass Streets. They subsequently moved to their present hall,
over the bank, on the northeast, corner of Main and Rock Streets, where
the three bodies of the order all now meet.
INDEPENDENT ORDER OF ODD FELLOWS.
Rock Port Lodge, No. 125, was instituted in the town of Rock Port,
•October 1, 1858, by F. S. Rostock, of Oregon, D. D. G. M., and worked
under a dispensation until May 19, 1859, when it was granted a charter
by the Grand Lodge of the State. The following named included the
charter members : William H. Dunbar, Charles B. Riley, J. W. Ruland,
L. F. Cornutt, Samuel Tate and Daniel Walkup. Of these, William H.
Dunbar was chosen Noble Grand ; Charles B. Riley, Vice Grand ; J. W.
Ruland, Secretary, and L. F. Cornutt, Treasurer.
In view of the unsettled condition of the country, consequent on the
prevalence of the civil war, this lodge suspended work and did not again
resume till September 1, 1866, when it was again set to work by F. S.
Rostock, who, a second time, installed the officers and set the lodge to
work.
The order, from the period of its institution in Rock Port, in 1858,
was for years without any permanent place of abode in the town, and
occupied at different periods, from time to time, as convenience suggested,
rooms which they rented for lodge purposes.
In the latter part of the year 1867, however, they determined on
securing a permanent place of assembling, and, for that purpose, built
the upper story of what is now (1882) known as the Commercial House,
a hotel on the northeast corner of Main and Clay Streets. They con-
tinued to hold their sessions here until December. 1871.
On the 27th of June, 1871, the cornerstone was laid of the spacious
and elegant hall now owned and occupied by the order, on the southwest
■corner of Main and Cass Streets. The ceremonies on this occasion were
•conducted in the presence of a large concourse of spectators, and are
remembered as having been very imposing. Among the articles depos-
ited in the cavity of this stone, were documents containing a list of the
•officers of the Grand Lodge of Missouri, a list of the officers of Rock
Port Lodge, No. 125, a list of the charter members of the same, and a
copy of its constitution and by laws ; also, a small pebble and three
pieces of silver coin, one of which, bearing date 1767, was presented by
John D. Dopf.
The hall was completed and occupied about December 1, 1871. The
lower story of the building, which is a neat and substantial brick struc-
ture, is the property of Holliway Brothers, and is now (1882) occupied
by the general store of George A. Pinnell. The Odd Fellows' Hall
CLAY TOWNSHIP. 673
includes the entire upper story. The order, besides this hall, own one
undivided half of the lot upon which the building stands. This latter,
together with the hall, cost the order about $3,000. The lodge now has
a membership of forty-three, and is in a highly prosperous condition.
Of the original charter members, not one now (1882) belongs to this
lodge, and but one (David Walkup) is a resident of Atchison County.
Of those who reorganized the lodge, but three yet survive. These are
all residents of the county, and include Dr. J. Y. Bird, the pioneer phy-
sician of Rock Port, Daniel Snyder, proprietor of the Rock Port Hotel,
and Daniel Walkup, a farmer living in Dale Township.
On the second night of assembling, after the reorganization of the
lodge, William King, Joseph Teague, John H. Kelley and Frank Davis
were admitted as ancient Odd Fellows. These are all present members
of the lodge.
The present elective officers are William T. Buckham, N. G.; D. C.
Fleming, V. G. ; C. E. Blake, Secretary, and Christ Schneider, Treasurer.
The meetings of the lodge occur on the first and third Saturdays of
each month.
The Noble Grands who have served this lodge are as follows : W.
H. Dunbar, 1858 ; C. B. Riley and L. F. Cornutt, 1859; F. S. Moore and
William Cook, i860; J. H. Athen and W. H. Dunbar, 1861.
On the resumption of work, in September, 1866, C. V. Snow was
chosen Noble Grand. After him, at different periods, came Daniel Sny-
der, Joseph Teague, T. J. Howthern, Frank Davis, James J. McCartney,
William P. Watson, William T. Buckham, H. D. Blake, J. W. Blackburn,
Chris. Schneider, H. J. Pinnell, A. B. Durfee and John W. Smith.
Several of these have served two or more terms, some in immediate
succession and others at intervals.
Rock Port Encampment, No. 73, was organized February 19, 1874,
under a charter issued by the Grand Encampment of the State, with the
following charter members : Christopher Schneider, William T. Buck-
ham, James B. Gray, James P. Holliway, Martin Fisher, Franklin P.
Davis and Homer D. Blake.
Chief Patriarch William Kaucher, of Oregon, Missouri, under a
special commission, and assisted by Grand High Priest L. T. Minturn,
of Amazonia, organized the Encampment. The following named mem-
bers of the order from Oregon, Missouri, also assisted at this organiza-
tion : Jeptha Martin, John Marsh, W. S. Norman, A. J. Castle and
, Samuel Hershberger. The following officers were then elected : Chris-
i topher Schneider, C. P.; William T. Buckham, H. P.; Frank Davis, S. W.;
H. D. Blake, J. W.; J. P. Holliway, Scribe, and J. B. Gray, Treasurer.
In October, 1874, the following officers were elected : W. T. Buck-
ham, C. P.; A. B. Durfee, H. P.; James B. Gray, S. W.; G. D. Todd, J.
W.; H. D. Blake, Scribe, and Gust. Roecker, Treasurer.
43
674 HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
The third election was with the following result : A. B. Durfee, C.
P.; Frank Davis, H. P.; H. J. Pinnell, S. W.; W. T. Buckham, J. W.; H.
D. Blake, Scribe, and C. Schneider, Treasurer.
At the fourth election, October, 1875, the following were chosen :
Frank Davis, C. P.; H. D. Blake, H. P.; Levi Durham, S. W.; H. J. Pin-
nell, J. W.; W. T. Buckham, Scribe ; William P. Watson, Treasurer.
At the fifth election the officers chosen were : H. D. Blake, C. P.;
James B. Gray, H. P.; A. B. Durfee, S. W.; Christopher Schneider, J. W. ;
W. T. Buckham, Scribe ; William P. Watson, Treasurer.
The sixth election resulted as follows : W. P. Watson, C. P.; J. S. *
Courtright, H. P.; Frank Davis, S. W.; H. D. Blake, J. W.; W. T. Buck-
ham, Scribe, George Deuser, Treasurer.
At the seventh semi-annual election, the following were chosen : J
William P. Watson, C. P.; John W. Smith, H. P.; Frank Davis, S. W.; H.
D. Blake, J. W. ; William T. Buckham, Scribe ; J. J. McCartney, Treas-
urer.
March 31, 1879, occurred the eighth election, at which the present
(1882) officers were chosen : John W. Smith, C. P.; H. D. Blake, H. P.;
William P. Watson, S. W.; Frank Davis, J W.; W. T. Buckham, Scribe,
and J. J. McCartney, Treasurer.
The present membership of the Encampment is twenty-six.
ANCIENT ORDER OV UNITED WORKMEN.
Northwest Lodge, No. 134, was organized, and held in Rock Port its
first regular meeting, on Saturday, May 31, 1879. At this meeting J. E.
Spurlock, Dr. L. S. Munsell, Jacob Sanders, Dr. Austin McMichael, Gen-
eral W. E. Chamberlain, M. D., Burt Venable, Solomon J. Courtright,
Frank Davis, William Cunnington, Thomas H. Oliver, Archibald E.
Wyatt, Lewis E. Christian, Richard Gaede, John P. Lewis, Alfred A. J.
Wannschaff, W. W. Hudgens, John F. Hum, Frank T. Simons and
Stephen E. Williams, after passing through the regular medical exami-
nation made by Doctors G. W. E. Chamberlain, L. S. Munsell and Aus-
tin McMichael, and after having been ballotted upon were admitted and
initiated to the Lodge, where the degrees of Junior Workman, Senior
Workman and Master Workman were conferred upon them by G. W.
Milton, District Deputy Grand Master Workman, each member having
paid the sum of seven dollars and fifty cents for charter fee, advance
assessment of the Grand Lodge of the State of Missouri, and for medical
examination fees. The Lodge then proceeded to the election of officers,
with the following result : Stephen E. Williams, Past Master Workman ;
John P. Lewis, Master Workman ; J. E. Spurlock, P'oreman ; Richard
Gaede, Overseer ; Alfred A. J. Wannschaff, Recorder ; Frank T. Simons,
Financier ; Archibald E. Wyatt, Receiver ; Frank Davis, Guide ; Burt
Venable, Inside Watchman, and S. J. Courtright, Outside Watchman.
CLAY TOWNSHIP. 675
These officers were then installed by G. W. Milton, D. D. G. M. W.
At the seventeenth regular meeting, held at their hall in Rock Port,
November 12, 1879, J. S. Courtright informed the lodge of his intended
removal to California, and tendered his resignation as O. W. This was
forthwith accepted, and Henry Heckel was elected to fill vacancy thus
occasioned.
On the 29th of December, 1879, occurred tne second annual election
of officers of Northwest Lodge, with the following result : A. E. Wyatt,
M. W. ; John F. Hum, F. ; L. C. Christian, O. ; Richard Gaede, Recorder ;
Alfred Wannschaff, Financier ; J. E. Spurlock, Receiver ; Frank Davis,
Guide ; Burt Venable, I. W.; Henry Heckel, O. W.; A. McMichael, Med-
ical Examiner ; M. McKillop, Trustee for three years.
The third annual election of officers occurred at a regular communi-
cation held at their hall in Rock Port, December 15, 1880, and resulted
as follows : John P. Lewis, M. W. ; Christopher Schneider, Foreman ; R.
W. Trimble, Overseer; F. T. Simons, Recorder, John Wright, Financier ;
A. A. Wannschaff, Receiver ; A. C. Hansen, Guide ; I. W. Cunnington,
I. W.; H. Heckel, O. W.; A. E. Wyatt, Trustee three year term ; Dr. A.
McMichael, Medical Examiner.
At a regular communication held June 1, 1881, F. T. Simms tendered
his resignation of the office of Recorder, and A. McMichael was chosen
to fill the vacancy thus occasioned.
ROCK PORT LEGION, NO. 12, S. K. A. O. U. W.,
was instituted by H. W. Busse, April 29, 1880. The first officers elected
of this organization were : Malcolm McKillop, S. C; John F. Hum, V.
C; Robert W. Trimble, L. C; Alfred A. J. Wannschaff, Recorder ; W.
W. Hudgens, Treasurer ; Stephen E. Williams, R. T.; John P. Lewis,
Chaplain ; John Wright, S. B.; Burt Venable, J. W.; A. C. Hansen, S.
W. ; Jacob Saunders, M.; Henry Heckel, Guard ; A. C. Hansen, Burt Ven-
able and J. Sanders, Trustees.
December 22, 1880, the following officers were chosen: M.
McKillop, S. C; A. C. Hansen, V. C; Burt Venable, L. C; Alfred
A. J. Wannschaff, Recorder ;W. W. Hudgens, Treasurer ; John Wright,
Recording Treasurer ; John P. Lewis, Chaplain ; R. W. Trimble, S. W. ;
G. W. E. Chamberlain, J. W.; Christopher Schneider, S. B.; Henry
Heckel, Guard ; John F. Hum, Marshal ; G. W. E. Chamberlain, M. D.,
Medical Examiner.
The election for officers, held January ir, 1882, resulted as follows :
Malcolm McKillop, S. C; C. Schneider, V.C.; Harry Moses, L. C; Alfred
A. J. Wannschaff, Recorder ; J. W. Peck, Treasurer; R. W. Trimble,
Recording Treasurer ; J. P. Lewis, Chaplain ; L. E. Christian, S. W.; Burt
Venable, J. W.; J. F. Hum, S. B.; Henry Heckel, Guard ; J. F. Hum,
Marshal; G. W. E. Chamberlain, M. D., Medical Examiner.
676 HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
The present (1882) membership of this organization is about twenty-
five. They hold their sessions in Masonic Hall, on the northeast corner
of Main and Cass Streets.
BUSINESS OF 1882.
The following is a list of the business men of Rock Port there
engaged in the year 1882, with the dates of their commencing business
under their present firm names :
Applet, Jacob, wagonmaker, 1865.
Bischof & Traub, hardware dealers, 1874.
Blake, Homer, house and sign painter, 1880.
Burnett, Charles, livery stable, 1879.
Buckham, William T., proprietor public hall and deputy circuit
clerk.
Barnard & O'Donnel, saloon keepers, 1882.
Christian, L. C, general merchant, 1879.
Cunnington, William, Dr., dentist.
Crosly & Courtright, blacksmiths, 1881.
Davis, James, plasterer.
Dopf, John D., bookseller, real estate agent, editor Journal, etc.
Deuser Bros., hardware, agricultural implements, etc.
Dragoo, Lawson, livery and feed stable, 188 1.
Enoch, Henry, proprietor of livery stable.
Ebner, George, wagonmaker, 1866.
Fleming, D. C, blacksmith, 1875.
Foster, F. A., carriage repairer, undertaker, etc., 1874.
Foutch, G. W., carpenter, 1878.
Farmer & Layton, livery stable, 1881.
Freihofer, George, lumber dealer, 1870.
Gaunce, Hiram, wagonmaker, 1882.
Gaede & Baker, general merchants, 1879.
Grebe, R., confectionery, restaurant, etc., 1879.
Grieve, John, miller, 1876.
Hunter & Bro., dry goods, 1865.
Hurst, B. W., auction and commission merchant, 1881.
Harrington & Millsaps, general merchants, 188 1.
Holland, Miss, milliner, etc., 1882.
Hudgens & McMichael, druggists, 1879.
Johnson & Smith, harness factory, 1870.
Johannet, George, deputy postmaster.
Lyon, John F., money loaner.
Laney, Mrs., milliner and dressmaker, 1878.
Mulhaupt, Jacob, boot and shoemaker.
CLAY TOWNSHIP. 6"/7
Mcintosh, James, (Grieve & Mcintosh), miller, 1876.
Moses, Harry, general merchant, 1879.
Opp, Abraham, eating house.
Opp, William, barber.
Pinnell, H. J., harness maker and dealer, 1866.
Petry, Nick., carpenter and undertaker, 1870.
Pinnell, George A., general merchant, 1874.
Renner, Charles, tailor, 1858.
Reiter, John, druggist, 1880.
Rice, Thomas J., photographer, 1880.
Rice, W. A., cashier Bank of Atchison County, 1882.
Snyder, Daniel, proprietor Rock Port Hotel, 1865.
Suter, William, brewer.
Stiles, E. J., groceries, hardware, etc., 1874.
Spurlock, J. E., druggist, 1871.
Sanders & Son, meat market, 1879.
Stiles, E. J., meat shop, 1877.
Schneider, Christopher, jeweler, 1866.
Stacy, George, blacksmith, 1882.
Tann, Jerome, proprietor Valley House, 1881.
Traub, A. & Co., confectionery, 1869.
Tolliver, Dr. John, veterinary surgeon, 1880.
Tolliver, Charles, saloon keeper, 1878.
Tolliver, J. B., restaurant, 1880.
Tolliver, Thomas, proprietor Commercial Hotel, 1879.
Wyatt, A. E., president Bank of Atchison County, 1870.
Wannschaff, A. A., teller in the Bank of Atchison County.
Waits, Mrs. E. W., milliner, 1873.
Zuloff, John, proprietor saloon, 1872.
PROFESSIONAL — PHYSICIANS.
David Whitmire, 1854. J. Y. Bird, 1856.
G. W. E. Chamberlain, 1877. C. F. Luja, 1879.
L. S. Munsell, 1873. A. McMichael, 1879.
O. P. Templeton, 1879.
ATTORNEYS.
Campbell, John D., 1868. Lewis, J. P., 1868.
Campbell, Judge L. W., 1878. McKillop, M., 1868.
Durfee, A. B., 1859. Osborn, James M., 1879.
Hunt, John C.,ccunty attorney, 1880. Peck, Josiah W., 1880.
Joslyn, Judge F. M., 1880. Ramsey, L. D. , city attorney, 1875.
Due mention of the editorial profession will be found under the head
of newspapers.
678 HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
POSTMASTERS .
Byron, Atchison County, Missouri, established April 3, 1855, Thomas
J. Jones, postmaster. Byron changed to Rock Port, March 25, 1856,
Isaac N. White, postmaster. Since then the following list shows the
postmasters appointed, and the date of their appointment :
James Templeton, August 21, 1856. Amos H. Sharp, February 25, 1863.
David J. Martin, December 9, 1856. Ephraim L. Clark, May 2, 1863.
John R. Vanatta, July 28, 1857. Leopold Saunders, April 25, 1866.
Richard Buckham, May 18, 1858. C. Schneider, November, 19, 1869.
F. L. Moore, November 23, 1858. John C. Dragoo, April- 21, 1871.
W. N. Smith, December 22, 1858. Anson B. McCreary, April 1, 1872.
G. W. Reed, November 21, 1861. John D. Dopf, April 7, 1881.
UNION CITY,
in the northeast corner of section 5, township 64, range 41, was laid out
by Enoch D. Scammon, in July, 1865. Its site is at the base of the bluff,
two miles southwest of Rock Port, and about three miles east of Phelps
City, on the main road between those two points. At the period of the
laying out of this town, it was confidently believed that the Kansas City,
St. Joseph and Council Bluffs railroad would be built through its limits.
The projectors of this road, however, evidently appreciated the economy
of straight lines wherever and whenever praticable in building railroads,
and the same, in consequence, left Union City three miles to the east-
ward. Her anticipated growth was thus nipped in the bud, and to-day
little remains to tell of the unfortunately directed enterprise of her
founder, but a group of tenantless and dilapidated houses, whose ruined
and uncouth aspect only serve to mar the fair face of the surrounding
landscape.
Immediately after the location of the town, E. D. Scammon, in
partnership with Pharis Millsaps, opened, in a frame building erected for
that purpose, a general store. They continued to transact business
together here, for almost two years, at the end of which period E. D.
Scammon sold his interest in the establishment to his partner, Millsaps.
In the meantime Moore & Robeson started a general store in the place.
They, however, only continued to sell goods about six months, when
they moved away. In 1868, Enoch D. Scammon & Son started a third
store in Union City. This business they continued three or four years.
William Scammon, the junior member of the firm, was appointed post-
master of the place, and continued to hold the position about a year, at
the end of which period the office was abolished.
The first blacksmith shop in the town was established shortly after
the same was laid out. It was started by B. Dragoo, who continued the
CLAY TOWNSHIP. 679
business four or five years. E. D. Scammon & Son soon after started
another shop. This was run a short time by William Scammon, at the
end of which period it was permanently closed. E. D. Scammon also
started a furniture factory in Union City. It was for several years, in
a small way, a flourishing enterprise, employing from six to ten hands,
but was ultimately discontinued. Among other enterprises in the place,
was a saddle and harness shop, in which C. Morris did a fair business for
a considerable time. This also, with its other elements of life and enter-
prise, has long been numbered with the things of the past, in Union City.
The physician of the place was Dr. Hance, a native of New York,
but from Ohio to Missouri. He disappeared on the demise of the town.
There never was a public school building in the place, but private schools
were taught by Miss Mary White, and afterwards by Miss Rathburn.
These institutions were in existence about the years 1871-72.
The last enterprise of a business character inaugurated in the place
was a saw and a grist mill, of one run of burrs, built by E. D. Scammon,
in 1873. In 1880, the mill was moved to the vicinity of Hamburg, Iowa,
and Union City drew its last breath.
On the 12th of August, 1865, shortly after the laying out of the
town, E. D. Scammon, who was himself a leading member of the Meth-
odist Church, put up the first and only church edifice ever erected in the
town. This building, a primitive looking frame structure, 26x40 feet in
extent, of the Noah's Ark order of architecture, and as innocent of paint
as it appeared when first it lifted its queer proportions on the soil it con-
secrates, originally stood in Rock Port, where it was first built in 1857,
and where it also enjoyed the distinction of being the first ecclesiastical
structure erected in the town. The organizers of the church there were
E. D. Scammon and Elizabeth Scammon, his wife, David Hacker and
his wife Matilda Hacker, and a widow lady by the name of Stone. The
first minister of the congregation was the Rev. Robert Whitton. The
organization ocurred in 1852, at the old Millsaps School House, three-
fourths of a mile north of Union City, near the bluff. It appears that the
congregation were unable to complete the building, and E. D. Scammon
advanced the necessary funds. This obligation they were unable to dis-
charge, and Mr. Scammon, fired with the ambition of founding a city,
became the proprietor of the building, which was deeded to him by the
trustees of the same, in default of a payment of the $350 or $400
advanced by him for its erection.
Eight years had now elapsed since its completion ; the Cottonwood
roof had rotted and the building leaked badly. The frame and siding,
however, were in fair condition, and this, the father of the future city of
Union moved across the intervening hills and hollows, and set it up on
the site of the town which was expected to rival Rock Port in growth
and importance, but unfortunately did not.
680 HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
The primitive structure of this pioneer church, still (1882) lifts its
humble proportions, a melancholy monument of the uncertainty of
human affairs, amid its rusty, gloomy, dilapidated and ghostlike sur-
roundings, the almost solitary survivor of cotemporary enterprises in the
general decay of matter and wreck of ancient shanties which failed to
accomplish their once manifest destiny of making up the hub of Atchison
County.
COUNTRY CHURCHES — CUMBERLAND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
Rock Creek Cumberland Presbyterian Church, on the southwest
quarter of section 15, township 64, range 41, of Clay Township, stands
near Roundtree's Branch, about a half mile from the waters of Rock
Creek, on a piece of ground donated by E. W. Freeman, about three and
three-fo'urths miles south of the town of Rock Port. The early records
of this association are not extant, and from the subsequent entries on the
church book, said to have been made from memory, with reference to its
early history, and necessarily imperfect, we glean the following facts:
The church was originally organized in 185 1, by the Rev. Jesse R.
Allen and the Rev. John Price, with some forty or fifty members, among
whom were Lina Helm, Samuel Roundtree and wife, Samuel Walkup
and wife, William Hunter, Mrs. Elizabeth Hunter, M. J. O'Neal and Mrs.
Susan Price. In 1852, James Hunter was enrolled in the membership.
Among others, in 1854, were added to the church Julia Tate, Caroline
Holloway, Mary Freeman, Jarret Casey, Thomas Christian and Mary A.
Christian.
From the imperfect records we learn that, in February, 1868, Rev.
Isaac Chivington was pastor, William Hunter, James Hunter, Elisha
Freeman and Samuel Walkup, elders.
January 25, 1872, Rev. O. D. Allen was employed and installed as
pastor . His compensation is mentioned as $300, for one fourth his time .
The elders, at this time, were C. W. Freeman, James Hunter, Samuel
Walkup and William Hunter.
In 1878 C. B. Powers was pastor of the congregation. The ruling
elders at this time were Samuel Walkup, James Hunter and William
Mc. Holloway.
On the first organization of the church they were unprovided with
any place of meeting of their own, and assembled from time to time at
private residences, in groves, or any other convenient places which
chance supplied. For some time after their organization they occupied
a camp ground on the farm of William Hunter, three miles south of Rock
Port. These' camp meetings, of course, were largely attended and pop-
ular resorts with people of all religious opinions for years after their first
institution in this neighborhood, and it was not until the year 1859, eight
CLAY TOWNSHIP. 68 E
years after the organization of the church, that the congregation erected
their first house of worship.
The records with reference to those who have filled, since the organ-
ization of the church, the offices of elders and deacons are said to be
accurate. From these we learn that the following have been elected to
the former office : Lina Helm, Samuel Walkup and William Hunter
were chosen in 1851. Of these, Helm died in 1854, and Walkup in 1881.
In 1853 C. W. Freeman was chosen elder. He died in 1875. Joseph
H. Young was ordained in 1867. He ceased to act January 19, 1877.
William Mc . Holloway was ordained elder January 25, 1877. E. C. H.
Brooks, N. C. Rundle and William Mc. Holloway were ordained
deacons January 25, 1877, an^ William H. Christian in 1878.
The first church edifice above referred to as erected in 1859, on
Roundtree's Branch, was a frame building, about twenty by forty feet in
size. This subserved the purposes of a church till the year 1872, when,
it was moved away, and the present structure of the church erected on.
its site.
The new church was built by F. M. Jewettr who took in part pay-
ment of his work, the old building, which he moved to Rock Port, where
converted into a two-story building, it now (1882) stands, on Main Street,.
a few doors south of Clay Street. This has subserved the various pur-
poses at different periods, of wagon and carriage shop, newspaper office,
paint shop, etc. It now C1882) bears on its front, the sign, " A. C. Hansen,,
sign and carriage painter."
The structure of the new Rock Creek Church, which occupies the site
of the old building, was completed in 1872, at a cost of about $2,000. It
is a neat frame building, thirty by forty feet in, extent. The present
(1882) minister of the church is Rev. J. H. Norman.
PLEASANT GROVE CHRISTIAN CHURCH
on the farm of Callaway Millsaps, northwest quarter of section 32,
township 65, range 41, was built in 1879 on a piece of ground donated
by him for that purpose. The church edifice, which is a frame struc-
ture, thirty by forty feet in extent, was built chiefly through the personal
efforts of Elder Hillman and the liberal contributions of outsiders as
well as of members of the denomination. The cost of the building,
exclusive of aid contributed in work, etc., was about $1,000. The orig-
inal organization of this congregation was effected in the year 1851, by
Elder S. C. Huey, in the Millsaps' School House. The organizers were
S. D. Bartholomew, Joseph Staley, Samuel Bartholomew. A. Hughes, John
W. Mapes, B. F. Dragoo and their wives, H. B. Hill and a few others
also, including Mrs. Callaway Millsaps, William Millsaps and John
Millsaps.
682 HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
The present (1882) minister of the congregation is Mrs. Maggie
Wallace, formerly of the State of Ohio. She has been preachjng in
this church since 1880.
-4- (s— sS^p^l— 4T
^iBIOGR APH ICALf
AQUILLA BECK,
•
farmer, section 23, was born February 4, 1809, in Rowan County, North
Carolina. His father and mother, Samuel and Mary Beck, were also
brought up in North Carolina. Aquillawas the fourth child in a family
.of nine children. In 1816, his parents moved to Wayne County, Indi-
ana, the state then being a territory, and there young Beck was raised
to manhood on a farm, receiving a common school education. In 1834,
he went to Berrien County, Michigan, where he cleared a farm of 100
acres in the heavy timber. In July, 1854, he came to Atchison County,
Missouri, and located on the farm where he has since resided. In 1856,
he engaged in the livery business in Rock Port, which business he con-
tinued for ten years, but since that time he has been occupied in tilling
the soil. His farm contains 220 acres of excellent land. Mr. Beck is a
member of North Star Lodge No. 157, A. F. and A.M. He has been
twice married. First, to Ruth Alexander, their marriage occurring in
the year 1830. Mrs. B. was a native of Tennessee. She died in
August, 1870, leaving three children: Gazaway G , Reese W. and
Ulysses H. In April, 1871, Mr. Beck was again married to Susan
Brickett, a daughter of Thomas and Amelia (Crosby) Brickett . She was
a native of Clay County, Indiana. Mr. B. was formerly a Whig, but is
now a staunch Republican in his political views, and is numbered with
the men of prominence in this vicinity.
C. E. BLAKE,
of the firm of Van Pelt & Blake, editors of the Atchison County Mail, is
the son of Daniel M. Blake, who was born in Litchfield County, Con-
necticut, February 20, 1807. When about ten years of age he moved
with his parents to Tyringham, Berkshire County, Massachusetts, where
he was married, July 14, 1832, to Miss Harriet E. Marsh. In 1843 he
went to Monroe County, New York, living in Monroe and Wayne Coun-
CLAY TOWNSHIP. 683
•
ties till 1873, when he came to Atchison County, Missouri, where he has
since resided. He had a family of nine children : William M., Homer
F , deceased, Frances A., Charles R., George, Homer D., Henry S.,
Josephine, deceased, and C E. Blake, editor of the Mail. Daniel M
Blake was a son of Brazella and Ruth Blake, both natives of Connecti-
cut. Harriet E . Blake was born in Schenectady, New York, October
6, 181 1, and when but one year old she accompanied her parents, Wil-
liam and Lydia Marsh, to Hartford, Connecticut. Her mother died
when Harriet was under three years of age, and she made her home with
different relatives in Connecticut and Massachusetts. C. E. Blake,
whose name heads this sketch, was born in Wayne County, New York,
November 7, 1854. He was reared on a farm in his native county, and
was educated at the schools of Palmyra. In 1874 he came to Rock
Port, Atchison County, Missouri. He was for a few years engaged in
working at the painter's trade, but since July, 1879, he has owned a half
interest in the office of the Atchison County Mail . He is a member of
Rock Port Lodge, No. 125, I. OOF. Mr. B. was united in mar-
riage to Miss Orpha O. Ruland, February 4, 1880. They have one
child, an infant. Mrs. Blake was born in Atchison County, Missouri,
March 11, [859. Her father, J . W. Ruland, was born in Carmichael's,
Greene County, Pennsylvania, September 14, 1828. He was married
May 15, 1853, to Miss Mary M. Dillon, who was born in Warren County,
Missouri, July 5, 1832
JOHN Y. BIRD, M. D.,
is a well known medical practitioner, of Atchison County . His residence
and its surroundings, which are most attractive, is located one mile south
•of Rock Port. Mr. B. is a son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Yeager) Bird,
both natives of Virginia. There John was also born, May 31, 1818. He
was the second child in the family of twelve children, and when he was
but six months old, his parents moved to Hardin County, Kentucky,
where he was reared on a farm, there being educated . In 1840 he began
the study of medicine, and in 1842 he came to Missouri, locating in
Andrew County, where he completed his study with D . W. Peter, of
Savannah. In 1846 he engaged in the practice of his profession, at
Oregon, Holt County, Missouri, but one year later came to Atchison
County and settled in Linden, where he was engaged in practicing till
1856, excepting in 1850-1, when he was in California. In 1856 Dr. Bird
came to Rock Port, and in 1866, to his present location, where he has a
farm of 227 acres, which is well improved and supplied with many
varieties of fruits. From 1855 till i860 he served as treasurer of Atchi-
son County, having been appointed for the first year, and elected for the
succeeding four years. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity — also
of the I. O. O F He was married October 29, 1849, to Mrs. Sarah
684 HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
Baird . Her maiden name was Sarah Stivers, and she was born in Adams
County, Ohio, March, 1823. They have had six children, five of whom
are living. Robert E., now practicing medicine in the Indian Territory,
employed by the government, Albertine, Josephine (deceased), Eugene
O., George and John L.
GEORGE L. BISCHOF,
of the firm of Bischof & Traub, dealers in hardware, stoves and tin-
ware, was born in Germany, near Nuremburg, October 30, 1831. He
was reared and educated in his native country, and when fourteen years
of age he began working in the banking and commission business,
which he continued till 1850. At that time he emigrated to America,
landing at New York, and from there came to Atchison County, Mis-
souri, where he was engaged in farming until 1861 . After this he was
for three years occupied in freighting across the plains. In 1864 he
bought the Rock Port Mill, which he operated one year, after which he
was engaged in farming till 1875. Mr. Bischof now has a valuable
farm of forty acres adjoining the town, which is well improved, having
upon it a fine orchard and vineyard. In 1875 he became a member of
the present firm, and, in company with Mr. Traub, is doing a thriving
business. Mr. B. was married in the year i860 to Miss Philipine
Helmer. She was born in Prussia, Germany, on June 20, 1843, and
and came to America in 1859. They have had nine children, seven of
whom are now living: Philipina, born September 27, 1863; Theresa,
born October 25, 1865 ; William, born May 27. 1868 ; Charles, born
July 8, 1870 ; Mary, born November 28, 1872 ; Clara, born September 8,
1875, and Frank, born October 15, 1879. Mr. B . is a member of the
Masonic fraternity, and he and his wife belong to the Lutheran Church.
WILLIAM T. BUCKHAM,
recorder of deeds of Atchison County, is the grandson of Andrew Buck-
ham, who early emigrated from Scotland to America, and who after-
wards located in Kentucky, where James Buckham, the father of the sub-
ject of this sketch, was born . He was married to Lucinda Davis, a native
of Kentucky. William T. Buckham, their son, was born in Union
County, Kentucky, December 22, 1846. In 1859 ne came to Atchison
County, Missouri, where he has since resided. He was reared on a farm
and, in 1868, he embarked in the mercantile trade, which he continued
till 1872, after which he was engaged in writing in the circuit and
county clerks offices until the spring of 1875. He was then occu-
pied in selling drugs, as one of the firm of W. T. Buckham &
Co., continuing in this business till June, 1876, since which time
CLAY TOWNSHIP. 685
he has been employed in the office of the circuit clerk, except
during the summer of 1879, when he was in the mountains, visiting
Leadville and other points of interest He is a member of Rock Port
Lodge, No. 125, I. O. O. F. Mr. Buckham was married November 16,
1881, to Miss Ida B. McCallister, who was born in Atchison County,
Missouri, August 1, 1862. Her father, John McCallister, was a native
of Ohio. Her mother, whose maiden name was Jane Kirkwood, was
also born in Ohio.
G. W. E. CHAMBERLAIN, M. D.,
is a native of Heidleburg, Germany, and was born November 26, 1835.
His grandfather, Charles J. Chamberlain, and his wife now live in the
same town, he being 109 years of age, and the latter 108 years old.
They have been married over seventy-five years, and have had a family
of eleven children, all of whom are living. Their oldest child, Una, who
has been but once married, now lives in Somerset County, Pennsylvania,
and has had a family of twenty-five children, all of whom are living.
The second child of Charles J. Chamberlain, was also named Charles J.
He is the father of G. W. E. Chamberlain, and came to America in the
spring of 1836, locating in the town of Somerset, Somerset County,
Pennsylvania. He now lives in Ravenna, Portage County, Ohio, and
follows the profession of medicine, having graduated from the Univer-
sity of Edinburgh, Scotland, about the year 1852. He has been for
several years one of the lecturers in the same institution. G. W. E.
Chamberlain, whose name heads this sketch, was reared and educated
in Pennsylvania and Ohio, having moved to Trumbull County, Ohio,
when about seventeen years of age. In 1856, he began the study of
medicine under the instruction of his father, and afterwards was engaged
in practicing till the breaking out of the war, when he entered the Second
Ohio Cavalry as hospital steward. He was transferred in the spring of
1863, to the Fourth Ohio Battery, as assistant surgeon, and was fur-
loughed in the fall following. During the winter of 1863-4, he attended
the medical department of the University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor,
and in the spring of 1864, he went to Washington, where he had charge
of ward thirteen of Harwood Hospital till the close of the war. A short
time afterwards he located in Farmington, Minnesota, where he was
engaged in the practice of his profession till 1872, after which he was
graduated from the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Keokuk. In
the spring of 1873, Dr. C. settled in Albany, Illinois, and in the spring
of 1876, he came to Rock Port, where he has since been successfully
engaged in the practice of his profession . He also has a partner, Joseph
T. Caveny, a graduate from St . Joseph, who has been studying with him
for five years. He is a member of North West Lodge No. 134, A.
686 HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
O. U. W. also of the S.K.A.O.U.W. Dr. Chamberlain was mar-
ried June i8, 1861, to Miss Mary E. Johnson, of Ohio. She died in the
year 1870. They had five children, two of whom are now living:
Cozella C , born March 7, 1863, and Carver C.,born December 31, 1866.
He was again married July 4, 1873, to Miss Maggie M. Beaty, who was
born in Clayton County, Iowa, September 6, 1852. They now have two
children living: Austin W.,born January 2, 1880, and Oscar M. C.J
born September 4, 1881 .
LOUIS C. CHRISTIAN,
dealer in general. merchandise, was born in Cocke County, Tennessee,
August 28, 1830. His father, Thomas E. Christian, was a native of
Tennessee, and his ancestors were from Virginia. His mother, formerly
Mary A. Doughty, was also a native of Tennessee, and her ancestors
came from Maryland. Louis C. was the sixth child in a family of twelve
children, and was reared on a farm in his native county. March 24,
1852, he started for Missouri, and located in Atchison County, on a farm,
where he was engaged in agricultural pursuits till 1874, when he was
elected county clerk of Atchison County This position he continued
to fill very acceptably till January, 1879. He was justice of the peace
from 1858 till 1863, and was county assessor from 1859 till i860. In
November, 1878, he began in his present business. Mr. Christian is a
member of North Star Lodge No. 157, A. F. and A. M, of the North
West Lodge, No. 134, A O. U. W, of Rock Port Legion No. 12, S.
K. A O. U. W., and the Oriental Order of the Palm and Shell. He
was married August 25, 1853, to Miss Sarah M. Golden^ who was born
in Howard County. Missouri, March 25, 1837. She died August 3, 1875.
They had ten children, six of whom are now living : John L , William
B., Laura A., James T, Lydia A. and Charles M He was married
again August 2, 1876, to Mrs. Charlotte E. Squire, whose maiden name
was Longenecker. She was born in Richland County, Illinois, July 27,
1842 Her father, Levi Longenecker, was a native of Harrisburg, Penn-
sylvania, and his father of Germany. Her mother, whose maiden name
was Anna Beckwith, was born in Elmira, New York. Mrs. Christian
was principally reared in Kansas, having lived there from the time she
was ten years of age, till the year 1869, when she came to Rock Port.
She was previously married to Albert Squire, a native of Connecticut.
By this marriage she has two children, Alice, now Mrs. L. W. Camp-
bell, and Hattie A Mr and Mrs. Christian are members of the Chris-
tian Church .
DA COLVIN,
collector of Atchison County, is a native of New York, and was born in
Chautauqua County, February 24, 1840. His father, Welcome Colvin,
CLAY TOWNSHIP. 687
and his mother, whose maiden name was Elmira Munn, were also born
in New York. In 1847 the family moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin,
where they lived six years, after which they became residents of Brook-
field in the same state. Here DA Colvin was principally educated.
In 1859 ne came to Missouri and located at Hemme's Landing, in Holt
County, where he was engaged in clerking till the beginning of the
war, being employed by F. M. Thompson and one other merchant. In
the spring of 1861 he enlisted in the Missouri State Militia for six
months, after which he helped to recruit Company C, Fifth Missouri,
and was made first lieutenant. He remained in service for about
eighteen months and at the expiration of this time he helped to recruit
another company for the Twelfth Missouri, but on account of his father's
death he was compelled to resign and stay at home for the support of
his mother and family at Rock Port. In 1864 he went to the mount-
ains, where he was engaged in various branches of business, mining,
freighting, etc. In the summer of 1865 he was elected county recorder
at Helena, Montana, and was the first recorder in that county. In 1867
he was located at Fort C. T. Smith, on the Big Horn River, where he
was contracting for furnishing hay and wood for that post. In 1868 he
returned to Atchison County, Missouri, and the same fall was elected
sheriff and collector of the county, holding that office till 1872, when he
began in the livery business. In connection with this he ran a trans-
fer line between Rock Port and Phelps. He followed this business till
the spring of 1882. He was elected to the office he now fills in the fall
of 1880, and has discharged his duties in a most acceptable manner.
Mr. Colvin was married February 22, 1872, to Miss Ella Bennett, a
native of New York. She was born in March, 1848, and was educated
in Mississippi and Illinois. Her father, Thomas F. Bennett, was a
native of New York, as was also her mother, whose maiden name was
Diana Howard. Mr. and Mrs. C. have one child: Welcome R.
JAMES O. CROSLY
was born in Clay County, Indiana, August 8, 1830 His father, Thomas
C. Crosly, was a native of Ohio, in which state he was married to Miss
Amelia Spencer, a native of Pennsylvania In 1827 they moved to
Indiana. James O. Crosly was reared in Clay and Vigo Counties,
Indiana, and in 1849 ne came to Missouri, locating in Mercer County.
In 185 1 he removed to Rock Port, and the same year he returned to
Ohio, where he was married August 16, 1852, to Miss Lydia Prickett.
Since 1853 Mr. Crosly has lived in Rock Port and its vicinity, and has
been principally engaged in the milling business, at which he is now
occupied. Previous to this, however, he was interested in farming, at
which occupation he was reared In 1871 he star-ted a lumber yard in
•688 HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
Rock Port, which he continued one year. Mrs. C. was born in Cler-
mont County, Ohio, in August, 1837. Her parents, Elias and Maria E.
(Clark) Prickett, were natives of Ohio. The family of Mr. and Mrs.
C. consists of six children — Thomas, William, Maria, Mary B, Fannie
and Rena.
DR. WILLIAM CUNNINGTON,
proprietor of the only exclusive dentistry establishment in the city of
Rock Port, is one who is well worthy of representation in a public work.
He is a native of County Peal, Canada, and was born November 25, 1844.
His father, William Cunnington, was a native of England, and his mother,
formerly Elizabeth Ceasar, was born in Ireland. The subject of this
sketch was reared and educated at his native home. In 1866 he began
the study of dentistry, and this profession he followed, in Canada, till
1869, after which he was engaged in the same calling, over the state of
Iowa, till the spring of 1877. At that time Mr. C. came from Dallas
Center, Dallas County, of that state, to Rock Port, Atchison County,
Missouri, and has since been a citizen of this place. He has labored
steadily in his profession and is deserving of much credit, being a skill-
ful and careful dentist, always giving satisfaction. He is a member of
Northwest Lodge, No. 134, of the A. O. U. W. fraternity. He was
married August 16, 1870, to Miss Mary E. Miller, who was born in
Indiana County, Pennsylvania, September 16, 1853. Her father, Samuel
Miller, was a native of Union County, Pennsylvania, and her mother,
whose maiden name was Fannie Mack, was from Indiana County, Penn-
sylvania. The doctor's family consists of four children: John N.,
Elizabeth F., Ella B. and Pearl M. Mr. and Mrs. C. are members of
the M. E. Church.
DEUSER & BROTHER,
dealers in general hardware, furniture and farm implements, are conduct-
ing business in Rock Port and Fairfax, and are the leading merchants in
their line in the county. This firm is composed of George and Charles
Deuser, they being twins. They were born in Germany, October 14,
1843, and in 1850 they came to America and located in Louisville, Ken-
tucky, where they were educated. George Deuser came to Brownville,
Nebraska, in 1858, and in 1859 Charles followed. There they learned
the tinners' trade, and since 1869 they have been engaged in their present
business in Rock Port . George Deuser was married, March, 1873, to
Miss Eliza Kuierian, who was born in Germany in 1855. They have
three children : Willie, Letta and Charlie. Charles Deuser was mar-
ried. May 14, 1874, to Miss Fannie Minnich. She was born in Osen-
berg, Ohio, January 20, 185 1. They have had three children, two
of whom are now living. Harry and George.
■
<^2L?^*^ o^<^s^*-~~
CLAY TOWNSHIP. 689
JOHN DICKINSON DOPF.
John D. Dopf, whose portrait appears in this work, is one of the
self made men of this country, through his own exertions. He
was born in Platteville, Grant County, Wisconsin, July 18, 1839
Frederick Dopf, his father, a native of Baden Baden, Germany, was a
miner. His mother's maiden name was Jane Mahood, and she was born
in Wythe County, Virginia. The subject of this sketch was deprived
of his parents when he was but seven years old, and he was early thrown
upon his own resources . He secured a limited education in the common
schools, and when quite young was apprenticed to the blacksmith trade.
He then moved to Lancaster, Wisconsin, where he served an appren-
ticeship to the printing business. At the expiration of his time, when
eighteen years of age, feeling the necessity of a better education than
he had obtained in the common schools, he attended the Lancaster Insti-
tute one year. He worked for some time as a traveling printer in differ-
ent towns of Wisconsin, Iowa and Illinois. In i860 he published for
the term of six months, the Independent Watchman, a weekly newspaper
in Mount Morris, Illinois. In the fall of the same year he moved to
Polo, Illinois, where he engaged in the publication of the Rock River
Press, and afterwards of the Polo Advertiser. In the spring of 1861, on
the breaking out of the rebellion, he enlisted in the Chicago Zouaves, and
was with the first troops that left the city. At the end of his three
months term of service, he enlisted in the Eleventh Wisconsin regiment,
from which he was shortly after discharged on account of disability. In
the spring of 1862, he removed to Missouri, and settled in St. Louis. In
the fall of the same year he took charge of the state printing office at
Jefferson City, remaining in that capacity till the summer of 1863, when
he returned to St. Louis and worked in the Democrat office several
months. He then moved to Rock Port, with a view of establishing a
Republican newspaper, and in September, 1863, issued the first number
of the Atchison County Journal, and has ever since been engaged in its
publication. He filled, with ability, the office of surveyor of Atchison
County, from 1864 to 1870. He has, also, for some years past been
actively engaged in the real estate business, and he has done much
toward inducing emigration to this county, and otherwise contributing
to its advancement. Until a few years ago he was also a member of the
well known banking firm of Durfee, McKillop & Dopf — later Durfee &
Wyatt, and now the Bank of Atchison County. He has been a member
of the State Militia ever since his first arrival in the state, and at one
time held a lieutenant's commission in the same. He was among those
who enrolled during the war, under the famous " Order No. 24." In 1870
he united with the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he is still a
member. He has for the past thirteen or fourteen years belonged to
44
090 HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
North Star Lodge, A. F. & A. M., in Rock Port, and is also a member
of Zerubbabel Royal Arch Chapter, and Adoniram Council, R. and S.
M., in Phelps City, Missouri. In 1864 he assisted in St. Joseph, Missouri,
at the organization of the Grand Lodge of the Union League in the
state. In politics, he has ever been a conservative Republican. In Jan-
uary, 1865, he married in Mount Morris, Illinois, Miss Mary A. Burnette,
daughter of Rodney Burnette of that place. He has three children
living — Minta, John R. and Paul. Mr. Dopf is highly respected in the
community where he resides, for his strict integrity and Christian virtues.
He has long been an active member -of the Sabbath School, and is a
person who is one of the foremost in every good cause.
LAWSON DRAGOO,
proprietor of livery barn, was born in Brown County, Ohio, February
24, 1838, and is a son of Franklin W. and Susan (Hawk) Dragoo, who
were both natives of Brown County, Ohio. Lawson was reared on a
farm in his mother county, and there received his education . In Octo-
ber, i86i,he enlisted in Company F, Seventieth Ohio Infantry, remain-
ing in service for three years and one month. He participated in many
important battles, among which was the battle of Pittsburg Landing, and
in all of Sherman's engagements on his march to the sea. He received
one wound at the battle of Kenesaw Mountain. In 1865 Mr. D. came
to Atchison County, where he was engaged in farming till the fall of 1881,
when he began in his present business, in which he has built up a lib-
eral patronage, being kind, and of an obliging disposition. Mr. Dragoo
was married, August 31,1859, to Miss Ellen Anderson, of Brown County,
Ohio, who died in October, 1862. They had two children, William E.
and Jane L. He was again married, February 19, 1865, to Miss A.
Mitchell. She was born in Mason County, Kentucky in the year 1840.
They have two children, Anna F. and Ida L. .
FRANCIS A. FOSTER,
undertaker and wood carver, was born in Amelia County, Virginia, Feb-
ruary 19, 1834 His father, Gideon Foster, was born in Charlotte County,
Virginia. He died in the year 1849. His mother, formerly Sally
Presize, was born in Prince Edwards County, Virginia, and died in 1841 .
Their family consisted of seven boys and one girl, F . A . being the fourth
child. After his father's death, in the year 1849, he went to Brunswick
County, Virginia, and was from that time dependent on his own resources
for his living. He received a fair education, principally by self applica-
tion, and when nineteen years of age he learned the carriage makers
trade, which he followed till the breaking out of the war, at that time
CLAY TOWNSHIP. 691
having a large coach and carriage manufactory. In May, 1861, he
enlisted in the Confederate service, Company D, Eighteenth Virginia
Infantry, the last year acting as steward in a hospital at Richmond.
After the close of the war he returned to Brunswick County, and worked
at his trade till March, 1868, when he came to Atchison County, Missouri,
and located at Milton. February 4, 1874, Mr. Foster settled in Rock
Port. Since coming to the county, he has been engaged in his present
business, and has done much excellent work. He is a member of the
North Star Lodge, No. 157, A. F. and A. M. He has been twice mar-
ried ; first, February 18, 1867, to Miss Lusett J. Giannini, a daughter of
an Italian. She was born in Richmond, Virginia, in the year 1844, and
died in 1870. They had one child, now deceased. Mr. F. was again
married, August 13, 1874, to Miss Bettie A. Williams, who was born in
Lafayette County, Missouri, in the year 1850. Her father, Noah Will-
iams, was a native of North Carolina, and her mother, formerly Mary Day,
of Tennessee. Mr. F. is a member of the Baptist Church, and Mrs. F.
of the Christian Church.
ANDREW FOX,
farmer, section 35, is a native of Pennsylvania, and was born in Lancas-
ter County, October 27, 1832. His father, John Fox, was a native of
Germany, and his mother, whose maiden name was Lear Zimmerman,
was also born in Pennsylvania. They had a family of fifteen children.
When John was but a small child his parents moved to Shelby County,
Indiana, where he was reared and educated, living mostly on a farm.
He resided in Indiana till 1861, when he came to Atchison County, Mis-
souri, where he has since continued to dwell. He now has a valuable
farm of no acres. Mr. Fox was married April 1, 1858, to Miss Mary C.
Yager, who was born in Columbiana County, Ohio, January 9, 1842.
When about ten years of age his parents moved to Shelby County,
Indiana. Her father, George Yager, was a native of Pennsylvania, as
was also her mother, formerly Barbara Carpenter. They had a family
of ten children . Mr . Fox's family consists of nine children, four of whom
are living : George W., Mahala, Emeline and William H. His farm is
well improved and is in possession of a successful agriculturist
GEORGE FREIHOFER,
lumber dealer, was born in Germany, May 8, 1828, and was reared in
his native county. His father being a cloth manufacturer, the son also
followed that occupation. In 1852 he came to America, landing at New
York, after which he was stationed in Connecticut and Massachusetts
for three years, working in a woolen mill. He then went to Wisconsin,
where he obtained employment on a farm for one year, subsequently
692 HISTORY Of ATCHISON COUNTY.
traveling for one year over different states. He finally became located
near Galena, Illinois, where he lived till 1861, at which date he enlisted
in Company F, Twelfth Illinois Infantry, remaining in service three
years. He participated in many important battles, and after he was
mustered out he went to St. Joseph. Here Mr. Freihofer was engaged
in various branches of business till 1869, when he came to Rock Port,
and since 1870 he has been dealing in lumber. He was married August
14. 1866, to Miss Eliza Heperli. She was born in Switzerland in August,
1842. They have one child : Frank.
JAMES B. GRAY,
Sheriff of Atchison County, is a native of Fulton County, Illinois, and
was born February 19, 1833. His father, William Gray, was a native of
South Carolina, and his mother, whose name before marriage was Isabel
Ritchey, was born in Pennsylvania. When James was about three years
of age, his parents moved to Peoria County, Illinois, and in the year 1855*
located in Butler County, Iowa. He was reared on a farm, and made
his home in Butler County, Iowa, till 1868, there being engaged in deal-
ing in stock and other property. During the years 1864-5, he was occu-
pied in freighting and mining in the mountains. In 1868, he came to
Atchison County, Missouri, and located in Rock Port, where he opened
a veterinary stable, which he conducted for four years. He was also
interested in trading, after which time he embarked in buying and ship-
ping stock In the fall of 1880, Mr. Gray was elected sheriff of the
county, having previously been marshal of Rock Port, and a more suit-
able man for the position he now occupies could have hardly been found.
He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and also belongs to the 1.0.
O. F. Mr. Gray was married February n, 1852, to Miss Ann Quinn.
She was born near Dayton, Ohio, in May, 183 1 . Her parents, John and
Rachel (Nash) Quinn, were both natives of Ohio. Mr. Gray's family
consisted of eleven children, seven of whom are now living : Sarah A.,
Nancy J., John, Nettie, Maggie, Guy and Edie.
MARTIN GREBE,
farmer, section 22, was born in Hesse, Germany, August 22, 1809. He
was reared and educated in his native country, and when fourteen years
of age he learned the cabinetmakers' trade, which he followed in Ger-
many until 1836. He then came to America, landing at New York
City, where he worked at his trade two years, afterwards going to St.
Louis, where he continued to be employed, resuming work at his trade
on his own responsibility till October, 1847, when he came to Atchison
County, Missouri. Here he has since worked at his chosen calling and
has also been engaged in farming, now owning a farm of 145 acres. Mr.
CLAY TOWNSHIP. 693
Grebe was married October 19, 1840, to Miss Augusta Smith, who was
born in Prussia April 24, 1822. They have had six children, of whom
four are now living : Martin, Rudolph, Willie and Lillie. Mr. G. is an
experienced workman and has given universal satisfaction wherever
engaged.
JOHN GRIEVE,
of the firm of John Grieve & Co., proprietors of the Rock Port Flouring
Mills, was born in St. Lawrence County, New York, April 15, 1833. His
father, James Grieve, and his mother, whose maiden name was Mary
Watson, were both natives of Edinburgh, Scotland. John was reared
and educated in his native county, and in 1861 he began working at the
milling business, which he has since continued. In 1865 he came west
and lived in Nemaha County, Nebraska, till 1868, when he removed to
Rock Port, where he has since resided. He is a member of the Masonic
fraternity. Mr. Grieve was married December 15, 1858, to Miss Mary
J. Otis, who was born in St. Lawrence County, New York, January 19,
1834. Her father, John Otis, was a native of New York, and her mother,
formerly Mary Graham, came from England. Mr. and Mrs. G. are mem-
bers of the Baptist Church. Mr. G. is turning out a brand of flour second
to none in Northwest Missouri, and in quantity, as well as quality, is
surpassed by no mill in this vicinity.
WILLIAM J. HARRINGTON,
of the firm of Harrington & Millsaps, dealers in general merchandise, is a
native of Atchison County, Missouri, and was born in Irish Grove, Octo-
ber 12, 1847. His father, John Harrington, was a native of Kentucky,
and came to Atchison County about the year 1843. His mother's maiden
name was Mared Blevens, and she was also a Kentuckian by birth.
William has made Atchison County his home during life. He was edu-
cated at Hamburg, Iowa, and attended for sometime the college at
Stewartsville, Missouri. In 1865, he began teaching, which profession
he followed till 1874, when he came to Rock Port and engaged in clerk-
ing in a store. In 1876, he was elected county assessor, which office he
filled for four years. In May, 1881, he began business as a member of
his present firm. He belongs to both the A. O. U. W. and the I. O. O. F.
fraternities. Mr. Harrington was married in March, 1871, to Miss Mag-
gie Crook, who was born in Buchanan County, Missouri. Her father,
James Crook, was a native of Kentucky, as was also her mother, whose
maiden name was Eliza Christie. Mr. and Mrs. H. have had five chil-
dren, three of them now living: M. B., Carrie and Jessie.
WILLIAM W. HUDGENS
is a member of the firm of Hudgens & McMichael, druggists. His
• father, James W., Hudgens, was a native of Virginia and early emi-
694 HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
grated to Kentucky, where he was married to Miss Lucinda Roberts, a
Kentuckian by birth. William W. was born in Shelby County, of that
state, July 5. 1 S5 5» and when but a child his parents and the family
moved to Savannah, Andrew County, Missouri. In a few years Iowa
Point, Kansas, became their home, from whence they went to Oregon,
Holt County, Missouri, subsequently returning to Savannah. In 1862
they moved to Denver, but upon residing there one year, they located
in Montana. Young Hudgens was page in the first legislature held in
Montana. After he had lived in Montana for three years, he returned
to St. Joseph, Missouri, where he studied the art of telegraphy. This
he followed for a period of time, being employed by the Kansas City,
St. Joseph & Council Bluffs Railroad Company. In 1869 he began
clerking in the drug house of Penick & Loving, with whom he
remained till 1874, when he accepted a position as traveling salesman
with Samuel I. Smith & Co., wholesale druggists of St. Joseph. This
position he held for three years, after which he became employed in a
like manner by Sommers, Lynds & Co., cf Quincy, Illinois. After
remaining with that firm till May, 1879, he then came to Rock Port,
Atchison County, Missouri, having one year previous purchased a half
interest in a stock of drugs which he opened in Rock Port. Here Mr.
H. has since been engaged in his present business. He also conducted
a branch store in Blanchard, Iowa, from October, 1879, till December,
1880. He now has the leading drug trade in Atchison County, and his
is in reality the oldest established store in the city. He is a member of
Northwest Lodge, No. 134, A. O. U. W., and of Legion, No. 12, S. K.
A. O. U. W. Mr. Hudgens was married August 6, 1881, to Miss Alice
M. Shelters, who was born in Atchison County, Missouri, in the year
1861 . Her father, John L. Shelters, was a native of New York. They
have one child, an infant.
JACOB HUGHES,
farmer, section 34, is a son of John and Sarah (Baird) Hughes, who
were both natives of Ohio. Jacob Hughes was the oldest child in a
family of fourteen children, and was born in Adams County, Ohio*
November 19, 1822. He was reared on a farm in his native county, and
in the spring of 1844 came to Missouri. He was located in Buchanan
County till the fall of the same year, when he removed to Atchison
County, where he has since resided, and where he has made farming his
occupation. He now has a farm of 300 acres of well improved land,
which is worked by a man who thoroughly understands his business.
In 1847 Mr. Hughes enlisted in the Mexican War, in Company C, Oregon
Battalion, and was mustered in July 4, remaining in service till in
November, 1848. He was married December 23, 1840, to Miss Malinda
CLAY TOWNSHIP. 695
J. Thompson, who was born in Callaway County, Missouri, October 21,
1832. Her father, George C. Thompson, was a native of Tennessee, as
was also her mother, formerly Elenor Leeper. Mr. and Mrs. Hughes
had a family of twelve children, six of whom are now living : Joseph C,
Alice, William P., Francis M., Sarah and Jacob. Mr. Hughes is a mem-
ber of North Star Lodge, No. 157, A. F. and A. M.
STOKELY STRATHER HUGHES,
county surveyor, first saw light in Cooper County, Missouri, on the 6th
of April, 1838. His parents, John W. and Susan (Williams) Hughes, had
previously come from Tennessee, in which state they were born. Stokely,
as he is familiarly called, is the fourth child in a family of seven children.
He was reared as a farmer's boy, in his native county, and there attended
the common schools, afterwards entering the seminary at California, and
also at Boonville. While at school he gained quite a thorough knowl-
edge of civil engineering and surveying, and when sixteen years of age
he began teaching. In the year 1864, he helped to survey the Missouri
Pacific railroad through Cass, Johnson, and Jackson Counties, Missouri,
and in 1864 he went to Brownville, in this vicinity, and taught school
many terms. Having also learned the art of telegraphy, in the year
1865 he was employed by the Western Union Telegraph Company, at a
station on the plains. After this time he lived in different localities in
Atchison County and at Hamburg, Iowa. In 1875, ne came to Rock
Port, and he has long been regarded as the surveyor of Atchison County,
having been elected as such two terms. In 1877, he platted a map of
Atchison County, and is the author of the first public work in the county.
He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and belongs to the I. O. O. F.
Mr. Hughes was married, February 14, 1869, to Miss Martha A. McCoy,
of Virginia. She died July 6, 1864. They had two children, Julia and
John. Mr. H. took for his second wife Miss Jane Rummerfield, their
marriage occurring July 1 1, 1868. Four children are the fruits of this
union : Olive, Lucy, Fannie and Philo De Witt. Mrs. Hughes is a
native of Cass County, Illinois, was born May 29, 1849. She was a
daughter of Rodney Rummerfield, a native of Ohio, who, in 1843, came
to Atchison County, and located in Nishnebotna Township. There he
lived till the time of his death, in 1874. His widow, whose maiden
name was Pricie Keethly, a native of Kentucky, now lives in Nishne-
botna Township.
WILLIAM HUNTER
was born in Scotland, February 21, 1805. He was reared and educated
in his native country, and, about the year 182 1, he moved, with his
parents, Robert and Jennet (Carr) Hunter, to Nova Scotia, where his
696 HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
father died. About 1828 William Hunter left Nova Scotia and, after
traveling through Maine, New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania, he
finally located in Baltimore, where he was engaged in the distilling busi-
ness for two years. He then went to Dayton, Ohio, and was interested
in the same business for about three years, after which he moved to
Lafayette, Indiana. The livery business there occupied his attention for
nearly two years, at the expiration of which time he came to Missouri.
After living in Buchanan County one year he came to Atchison County,
in 1841, where he has since resided, following the occupation of farming.
Mr. Hunter now lives on section 9, township 6, range 41, and has retired
from active labor, on account of age. His landed estate consists of 900
acres. He has served as justice of the peace for eight years and as a
member of the county court for seven years. He was married, in Indiana,
in 1839, to Miss Elizabeth Ouschaw, who was born in Ohio, in 1807. She
died in 1875. They had six children, of whom two are now living, Rob-
ert T. and John H. Being an old pioneer of this county Mr. H. is widely
known and possesses the esteem of many acquaintances. In the dis-
charge of his official duties he ever exercised care and displayed excel-
lent judgment. Though now advanced in years he bids fair to see many
more days.
JAMES HUNTER,
is an enterprising farmer of this township, his place of abode being on
section 16, township 64, range 41. He was born in Scotland, April 23,
1813. In 1821, he emigrated with his parents to Nova Scotia, where
he grew to manhood. He was there engaged in farming till 1846, when
he came to Atchison County, Missouri, and located on the farm where
he now resides. His landed estate consists of 500 acres. In 1849, while
laboring under the gold excitement, Mr. H. went to California, where he
was engaged in mining for one year. He was a member of the County
Court of Atchison County for eleven years, aad now belongs to the
Masonic fraternity. He was married March 3, 1840, to Miss Elizabeth
McKay. She was born in Nova Scotia, August 8, 18 17. Her parents
were natives of Scotland. She died April 2, 1875. They had nine chil-
dren, eight of whom are now living : Robert, born December 26, 1840 ;
Isabel, born February 19, 1844 ; William, born October 21, 1845 ; James
A., born August 16, 1848 ; Janet K., born January 26, 1852 ; George L.,
born March 15, 1854; John W., born January 29, 1857; Una J., born
December 31, 1859. All of these children are residents of Atchison
County, Missouri, and the male members of the family are most indus-
trious, and successfully situated in life.
ROBERT HUNTER,
a representative citizen of Atchison County, and one of the wealthiest
merchants of the city of Rock Port, was born in New Brunswick, Nova
CLAY TOWNSHIP. 697
Scotia, December 21, 1841. His parents, James and Elizabeth Hunter,
moved to the United States and settled in Atchison County in 1847.
There young Robert received his education in the log cabin schools of
that day. He is the eldest of a family of eight children, five sons and
three daughters. His brothers are William, a farmer of the county ; Dr.
James A., a physician of Fairfax ; George, a partner in his mercantile
business in Rock Port, and John Walter. His sisters are : Isabel, wife
of Jerry Bush ; Mrs. John D. Campbell, of Rock Port, and Unie Jane,
unmarried. Reared in habits of industry, and endowed with excellent
perceptive faculties, he early achieved success in life. In 1864 he
embarked, in partnership with E. L. Clark, in general merchandising on
the spot where now stands his spacious and substantial brick business
house in the town of Rock Port, and where he has been uninter-
ruptedly engaged in business during all that period. In 1868 he married
Miss Charlotte E. Buckham, daughter of Dr. Richard Buckham, the
pioneer physician of the county. By this marriage he has four daugh-
ters : Ella, Drusa V., Lula R. and May. He is a member of no
religious organization. In 1867 he was made a Master Mason in North
Star Lodge, No. 157, in Rock Port. He is also a member of Zerubba-
bel Royal Arch Chapter. In politics he has always been a Republican.
His first vote was cast for Abraham Lincoln. Mr. Hunter is' the owner
of several fine farms in the county. On his home of 170 acres, a part of
which is included within the limits of the city of Rock Port, stands one
of the finest and perhaps the most spacious residences in the county.
This structure is of brick, and was erected at a cost of about eleven
thousand dollars. Liberal and public spirited, no man in the county
enjoys a wider personal popularity than does Robert Hunter.
GEORGE T. HUNTER
is a member of the firm of R. Hunter & Brother,, of Rock Port, and of
Hanna, Hunter & Co., of Tarkio, who are extensive dealers in general
merchandise, furniture, agricultural implements, etc. He was born in
Atchison County, Missouri, May 15, 1854, and here he has made his
home during life. In 1878 he became interested in each of the present
firms, previous to this having been engaged in farming and dealing in
stock. He is also occupied in the stock business at the present time.
Mr. Hunter was married December 12, 1880, to Miss Hallie P. Coale. She
was born in Atchison County, Missouri, September 21, i860. They have
one child, Una. He is a leading salesman, and a man possessed of excel-
lent business qualities.
JOHNSON & SMITH,
dealers in and manufacturers of harness, boots and shoes. This firm is
composed of James B. Johnson and Edward C. Smith. The former mem-
698 HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
ber of the firm was born in Huntington County, Indiana, August 11,
1845. His father, William G. Johnson, was a native of New York, and
his mother, formerly Mary L. Delvin, of Virginia. In 1853 they moved
to LaGro, Wabash County, Indiana, and, in 1858, to Wabash of the same
county. In April, 1864, Mr. J. enlisted in Company G, One Hundred
and Sixty-seventh Indiana Infantry, and at the close of the war was mus-
tered out at Indianapolis. Previous to the war he learned the harness
makers' trade, in Wabash, to which place he returned, remaining there
till 1867, when he went to Kinderhook, Illinois. In 1870 he came to
Atchison County and located in Phelps, where he began in his present
business, and, in 1871, he came to Rock Port, carrying on business in
both towns. In 1874 he was elected, by the Republican party, as treas-
urer of Atchison County, and was re-elected in 1876, discharging his offi-
cial duties with scrupulous care and fidelity. He is a member of North
Star Lodge, No. 157, A. F. and A. M. Mr. Johnson was married
November 13, 1872, to Miss Nancy Gray, who was born in Knox County,
Illinois, May 4, 1856. They have two children, Charlie and Oscar.
Edward C. Smith, the junior partner of the firm, was born in Hamilton
County, Ohio, August 15, 1846. His father, David Smith, was a native
of New Jersey, and his mother, Hannah Shepherd, came originally from
Ohio. When Edward was but a child his parents moved to Miami
County, Indiana, where he lived till 1857, then becoming a resident of
Henry County, Iowa. He was educated at Mount Pleasant, in that
county, and while there learned the shoemakers' trade . In 1863 he went
to Andrew County, Missouri, and, in the spring of 1864, he enlisted in
Company E, Thirty-ninth Missouri, in the Federal army, and remained
in service till the close of the war, after which time he went to Beny, Illi-
nois. There he was engaged in working at his trade, and also in Kin-
derhook till 1868, when he came to Missouri. In August, following, he
began work for the Burlington and Missouri River Railroad Company,
on the line of the western division. In January, 1871, he located in
Phelps City, and became a member of the present firm. In 1879 he
located at Rock Port, carrying on business in both places till that date.
He is a member of North Star Lodge, No. 157, A. F. and A.M., and
of Northwest Lodge, No. 134, A. O. U. W. Mr. Smith was married
March 11, 1873, to Miss Nannie A. Templeton. She was born in Atch-
ison County, Missouri, March 11, 1853. They have three children:
David M . , Ward and Kate .
WILLIAM KING,
farmer, section 10, postoffice Rock Port, is a son of Abraham and Eliza-
beth (Wooley) King, who were natives of Kentucky. William was born
in Henry County, of the same state, January 14, 1820, and was the oldest
*
CLAY TOWNSHIP. 699
child in a family of eight children. When he was ten years of age, his
parents moved to Shelby County, Indiana, where he lived till 1843, then
coming to Atchison County, Missouri. He has made farming his prin-
cipal occupation during life, but was engaged in the milling business as
proprietor of what was known as King's Mill, in Atchison County, Mis-
souri, for about twenty-five years. His farm contains 310 acres of excel-
lent land. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. fraternity. Mr. King wa*s
married March 3, 1842, to Miss Zurrelda King. She was born in Henry
County, Kentucky, April, 1823. They have had eleven children, of
whom five are now living, Elizabeth, Thomas, Eliza, Mary and Henry.
Mr. King is an experienced farmer and miller, and thoroughly merits
the esteem in which he is held by many friends.
CHARLES KLINKHART,
who is now living with his daughter, on section 35, in Clay Township,
was born in Prussia, Germany, July 5, 1801. He was there reared and
educated, and in September, 1825, he was married to Miss Caroline
Springer, who was born in the year 1806. They had eight children, of
whom three are now living : Caroline, Pauline and William. While in
Germany Mr. K. was engaged in the hotel and livery business. In 1849
he emigrated to America, landing at New Orleans, from whence he went
to St. Louis, and in 185 1, he came to Atchison County, having previously
lived in Rushville, Illinois, for a short time. His wife died while in St.
Louis. He was one of the first German settlers to locate in Atchison
County, Missouri, and started the first brewery in the county, which was
in the year 1855, it being located in section 32, of Clay Township. This
he continued to operate till 1867, since which time he has made his home
with his daughter, Mrs. Vogler.
MARTIN L. LEE,
clerk of Atchison County, is a native of Illinois, and was born in Cass
County, April 8, 1840. His father. Caleb Lee, was a native of- Virginia,
and is supposed to have been a relative of General Lee. Martin's
mother, Matilda Higgins, was born in Maryland. She died in the year
1847, and his father in 1847. Young Lee was reared in Illinois, and
was educated in the Wesleyan University of Bloomington, in that state.
In the year 1863, he was graduated from Eastman's Commercial College,
of Poughkeepsie, New York. He commenced teaching school when sev-
enteen years of age. He continued that profession for seven years. In
1865, he came to Atchison County, Missouri, first locating at Sonora,
where he was engaged in clerking and carrying on the mercantile busi-
ness at different locations in the county till 1870. Mr. Lee then came
rV
700 HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
to Rock Port, where he resumed clerking. In the fall of 1872, he was
elected state and county collector, and was re-elected in the fall of 1874.
In 1877, he embarked in the mercantile trade, which he continued till
1880, having been elected by the Republican party as county clerk dur-
ing the fall of 1878. This position he is at present filling. He is a
member of North Star Lodge No. 157, A. F. and A. M , and Rock Port
Lodge No. 125, I. O. O. F. Mr. Lee was married September 2, 1866,
to Miss Nancy P. Trumble. She was born in Nicholas County, Ken-
tucky, July 29, 1847 . They have five children : Lulu L , Don T . , Carrie
W., Martin L , Jr., and Nannie.
VALENTINE LIVINGSTON,
farmer, section 16, was born January 26, 1817, in Pennsylvania. His
father, Isaiah Livingstone, and his mother, formerly Mary Boyce, were
both natives of Pennsylvania. When Valentine was tu o years of age
they moved to Ohio, where they remained two years. His parents
then settled near Brookville, Indiana, and after residing there a few
years removed to Shelby County, Indiana, where he was reared and
educated, spending his boyhood days on a farm. He came to Atchison
County, Missouri, in 1848, and here he has since continued to dwell.
His landed estate consists of 1,000 acres, and he has also given liberally
to his children. His home farm consists of 200 acres and has one of the
best improved farms in the county, there being upon it an elegant resi-
dence, good barn, fine orchard, and, being an old pioneer, he is widely
and favorably known and holds the respect of a large circle of friends.
Mr. Livingston was married January 31, 1839, to Miss Elizabeth Town-
send, who was born in Adair County, Kentucky, September 5» 18 18.
Her parents, John and Mary (Atkins) Townsend, were natives of Vir-
ginia. When Elizabeth was sixteen years of age they went to Shelby
County, Indiana, where she was married. Mr. and Mrs. L. have been
blessed with six children, four of whom are now living : Alfred, Mary,
Jane and Thomas. They are active members of the ME. Church.
Mr. L has been a self made man, as, when he came to Atchison
County, his worldly possessions consisted of a yoke of cattle and fifty-
five dollars in money. For four years this was his only team, and
served for a plow team through the week and also to take the family tq>
church on the Sabbath.
CHARLES F. LUJA, M. D.,
was born in Prussia, Germany, on May 27, 1837. He was reared and
educated in his native country, and in 1857 he began the study of medi-
cine. After a usual preparatory course, he was graduated in 1863, after
CLAY TOWNSHIP. 701
which he was engaged in the practice of his profession till 1865. Dr. L.
then came to America, and has since been occupied in attending to the
duties of his chosen calling. He first landed in New York City, from
whence, after remaining one year, he went to Richardson County,
Nebraska. In 1875 ne located in Holt County, Missouri, and in October,
1878, he came to Rock Port. Dr. Luja was married September 6, 1867,
to Miss Eliza N. Storey, who was born in Highland, Kansas, September
25, 1850. They have three children : Louisa, Mary A. and Charles F.
The doctor is fast becoming recognized as an able and skillful practi-
oner among his medical brethren, and though not such a great time
has elapsed since his locating here, he has built up a good patronage.
JAMES J. MCCARTNEY,
a prominent and successful agriculturist and stock raiser, has been a
citizen of Atchison County, Missouri, since 1856, except from the year
i860 to 1863, when he was in Kansas. He now resides on section 3, in
Clay Township, and has a landed estate of 400 acres, 340 acres of it
being in his home farm, which is well improved. Previous to his emi-
gration to Atchison County he had lived in Fremont County, Iowa, to
which locality he had moved from Crawford County, Indiana, in the
year 1854. He was principally reared in Crawford County, Indiana,
having gone there from Marion County, Indiana, when ten years of age.
He was born in Montgomery County, Indiana, January 28, 183 1, and
when in his third year he was taken to Marion County. He is a son of
M. D. McCartney, a native of Pennsylvania, who was married to Miss
Elizabeth Baylor, a native of Virginia. They had a family of seven
children, of whom the subject of this sketch was the sixth child. He is
a member of the 1 . 0.0. F . , belonging to Rock Port Lodge, No . 125 .
Mr. McCartney was married February 19, 1865, to Miss Martha J . Pall,
and by this union they have seven children : Arthur M., Ida R., Lizzie
H., Earnest, Walter, Eva and Ellen. Mrs. McCartney was born in
Ripley County, Indiana, May 21, 1846. She was a daughter of Daniel
M. Pall, a native of Pennsylvania Her mother, whose maiden name
was Elizabeth Walton, was also a native of Pennsylvania.
CALLAWAY MILLSAPS,
dealer in general merchandise, is a member of the firm of Harrington &
Millsaps. His grandfather, James Millsaps, was a native of Ireland, and
was there married to Miss Elizabeth Hood . They immigrated to Amer-
ica, and here their son, William M., was born in East Tennessee. He
was there married to Miss Elizabeth Clevenger, a native of England.
They had a family of five children, three boys and two girls, Callaway
being the oldest child . He was born in Cocke County, East Tennessee,
702 HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
September 26, 1815. In 1818, his parents and their family moved to
Missouri, and settled in the section of country now Saline County, and
in 1820, they located in what is now Clay County, Missouri. Two years
later they settled on Fishing River, in Ray County, where Callaway
grew to manhood . He was reared on a farm, and was engaged in agri-
cultural pursuits in Ray County till the year 1839, when he came to
Atchison County, Missouri. Here he has since lived, and his was the
first white family to come to the county for a settlement. He had been
occupied in farming till the fall of 1881, when he moved into the city and
began in his present business. From 1855 till 1861, he sold goods on
his farm, in section 32, township 65, range 41 . Mr. Millsaps has been
a member of the Masonic fraternity ior some thirty years. His first
marriage occurred May I, 1834, to Miss Sarah Handley, a native of Ken-
tucky. She was born June 18, 1816, and died January 15, 1874. They
had twelve children, ten of whom are living : Joseph, John, William,
Emily, Sarah A., Robert, Samuel, Josephine, Russell and Mary M. He
was married to his present wife (Mrs. Mary Entwisel) August 1, 1879.
Her maiden name was Mary Reed, and she was a native of Shelby
County, Missouri. Mr. M is a member of the Methodist Episcopal
Church, and Mrs . M . of the Christian denomination . Although advanced
in years, he is still hale and hearty, bidding fair to see many more years.
He is a man honored by all foV his honesty and kindness.
HARRY MOSES,
dealer in general merchandise ; fine clothing a specialty, has one of the
most complete stocks of goods in his line in Atchison County. He is a
native of Hessen, Germany, and was born July 26, 185 1 . He was reared
and educated in his native country, and has followed merchandising
during life. In the summer of 1868, he emigrated to America, landing
at Baltimore, where he remained till January, 1869, after which he came
to Rock Port, Atchison County, Missouri. He has since made a five
months trip to his native country, which was in 1876. Mr. M. has been
doing business upon his own responsibility for four years, and is known
by his customers as an upright and an honorable man, and one who can
always please those who patronize him. He is a member of North West
Lodge No. 134, A. O. U. W , and of the Rock Port Legion No . 12,
S. K.A.O.U.W. Mr. Moses was married May 12, 1879, to Miss
Rosa Silher. She is a native of Konigsberg, Germany, and was born
January 2, 1856. They have two children, Albert and Ethel.
G. F MUINCH.
farmer, section 28, was born in Saxony, Germany, July 20, 1826. He
was reared in his native country on a farm and while there learned the
CLAY TOWNSHIP. 703
coopers' trade. June 10, 1853 he started for America, and, after being
on the water for nine weeks, he landed at New York City, but soon
located in Osnaburg, Stark County, Ohio. In the fall of 1871 he came
to Atchison County, Missouri While in Ohio he was engaged in the
grocery and provision business, and also worked at his trade. Since
coming to Atchison County he has followed farming as his occupation
and now has 100 acres of land, cultivated in an excellent manner and
well improved. Mr. Muinch was married in March, 1850, to Miss
Matilda Kuntze, an estimable lady. She was born in Germany in the
year 183 1 . They have had eight children, seven of them now living :
Emma F., Adeline, Paulina, Lewis, August, Ida and Charlie.
L. S. MUNSELL, M. D ,
is a native of Mercer County, Ohio, in which locality he was born, Sep-
tember 21, 1841 . His father, W. A. O. Munsell, was born in Ohio, and
was of English ancestry. His mother, Deborah Gray, was also a native
of Ohio. L. S. was reared in his native county, and was educated in
the common schools and the college at Delaware, Ohio. In 1866 he
began the study of medicine under J. C Williamson, of Versailles,
Darke County, Ohio, and attended the Starbury Medical College of Col-
umbus, Ohio, where he graduated in the spring of 1870. He then located
in Geneva, Adams County, Indiana, where he continued the practice of
his profession till the year 1876, when he became a citizen of Rock Port,
Atchison County, Missouri Dr. Munsell is a member of North Star
Lodge No. 157, A. F. and A.M., and North West Lodge No. 134, A.
0. U. W. He was married March 1, 1866, to Miss Elizabeth J, Young,
who was born in Mercer County, Ohio, July 5, 1841 . Her father, Philip
Young, was a native of Ohio, as was also her mother, formerly Lucinda
Plummer. They have five children : Philip Dayton, William Oliver,
Pearl Ettie, R. Nettie and Grace. The subject of this sketch is a
prominent practitioner, and is recognized as being possessed of the most
thorough qualifications as a physician, in Rock Port and vicinity.
ELIJAH S. NEEDELS,
farmer, section 17, was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, February 11,
1807. His father, John Needels, was a native of Delaware, and his
mother, whose maiden name was Sarah Campbell, was born in Penn-
sylvania. They had a family of eleven children, E. S. being the fifth
child. When partially grown he moved to Hamilton, Ohio, where he
was engaged in working at the coopers' trade for four years. He then
located in Franklin County and followed the occupation of farming till
1842, when he came to Atchison County, Missouri. Since then he has
704 HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
been occupied in tilling the soil, his farm containing 325 acres. He was
justice of the peace from 1844 upwards of twenty years, exercising
superior judgment in the discharge of his official duties. Mr. Needels
was married February 21, 1839, to Miss Sarah Covert, who was born in
Clark County, Indiana, August 17, 18 14. Her father, Peter Covert,
was a native of New Jersey, and her mother, Catherine Jones, of Ken-
tucky. They have had eleven children, five of whom are now living :
America, Sarah, Frank, Julia A. and Fannie. Mr. and Mrs. N. are
members of the Christian Church.
HENRY OSWALD,
farmer, section 2, is a native of Germany, and was born May 4, 1836.
He was educated in his native country, and was reared on a farm till
fifteen years of age, when he learned the shoemaker's trade. In 1854 he
immigrated to America, landing at New York City, after which he worked
at his trade in Ohio and Indiana for about three years. Mr. Oswald
then came to Missouri, locating in Platte Countv, and in 1864, he
removed to Stephenson County, where was engaged in working at his
trade till 1868, when he moved on his present farm. This contains 160
acres of fine land. Mr. Oswald was married April 20, 1863, to Miss
Frances Unnrissig. She was a native of Germany. They have nine
children : Ernest, Albert, Frang, Anna, Minnie, Henry, Charley, Willie
and an infant daughter.
NICHOLAS PETRY,
carpenter and undertaker, was born in Germany, November 12, 1849,
and was reared and educated in his native country. He there learned
the carpenters' trade, and in 1869 he emigrated to America, and located
in Chicago, where he was engaged in working at his trade. He con-
tinued to reside in or near the vicinity of that city till 1871, when he
found employment for a short time, in Leavenworth, Kansas, and also
for one year in Maryville, Missouri. After this he came to Rock Port,
where he has since resided, and has, in connection with his trade been
engaged in the undertaking business, for seven years, in which he has
built up a liberal patronage. Mr. Petry is more than an ordinary work-
man, and deserves success. He was married February 8, 1874, to Miss
Carrie Sommerheiser, who was born in Atchison County, Missouri,
August 27, 1857. They have two children, Pollie and Emma.
GEORGE A, PINNELL,
dealer in general merchandise, is a native of West Virginia, and was
born in Greenbrier County, April 11, 1838. His father, Hezekiah G.
CLAY TOWNSHIP. 705
Pinnell was born in Virginia and was of English descent. His mother,
whose name before marriage was Margaret Hauver, was also a Vir-
ginian by birth. George A. was reared and educated in his native
county and was there engaged in blacksmithing. From 1864 till the
close of the war he was in the Confederate service. In 1868 he came
to Missouri and located in Atchison County, where he was occupied in
working at his trade until 1872, since which time he has been engaged
in the mercantile business with a good degree of success Mr. P. is a
member of North Star Lodge, No. 157, A. F. & A. M. He was
married April 23, i860, to Miss Sallie B Feull, who was born in Green-
brier County, West Virginia, March 28, 1840. Her father, John Feull,
was a native of Virginia, as was also her mother, formerly Sabel Hayes.
They have five children, four of whom are living : John H., Anna B.,
Leona S. and Carrie M. Mr. and Mrs. P. are members of the Bap-
tist Church.
H.J. PINNELL,
-manufacturer of and dealer in fine harness, was born in Greenbrier
County, West Virginia, October 21, 1841 . He was brought up and
attended school in the county of his birth, and when fourteen years of
age, he learned the harness maker's trade, which he followed till 1862.
He then enlisted in the Confederate cause, in Company D, Nineteenth
Virginia Battalion, Heavy Artillery, and remained in service till the close
of the war, when he returned to his native county. In February, 1866,
he left there and went to Ohio, and thence to Indiana, and in November
of the same year, he came to Rock Port, where he has since principally
made his home. The greater portion of the time he has been engaged
in his present business, for a few years having been engaged in the gro-
cery trade. Mr. Pinnell is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and
also belongs to the I. O. O. F. He was married in February, 1874, to
Miss Irene Blair, a daughter of George Blair, one of the early settlers of
Holt County, Missouri. Here she was born January 12; 1846 They
are members of the Baptist Church. The work which Mr. P. is capable
of turning out is of the best order, and finds a ready sale.
JUDGE JEREMIAH PURDUM,
is the son of Benjamin Purdum, who was a native of Maryland, and who
married Miss Katie Reynolds, also of that state. They had a family of
eight children, Jeremiah being the second child. He was born in Chil-
licothe, Ross County, Ohio, April 21, 18 14. His father was by occupa-
tion a farmer, and moved upon a farm near Chillicothe when Jeremiah
was about three years of age, consequently, the subject of this sketch has
made farming his occupation through life. He resided in Ross County,
45
706 HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
Ohio, till 1832, when he moved with his parents to Hamilton County,
Indiana, being a citizen of that county till 1838. He then came to Mis-
souri and located in Clay County, where he was married January 6, 1842,
to Mrs. Jane Allen, whose maiden name was Jackson. She was born in
Kentucky, in 1813, and died July 24, 1874. They had a family of nine
children, six of whom are living; William T., Catharine (Millsaps) John
W., George T., Elizabeth A. (Stecks) and Milton. All the boys are
farmers but one, Milton, who has been engaged in teaching for several
year's. On account of the overflow of the Missouri River in 1844, Judge
P. left Clay County, and came to Atchison County, where he has since
lived, having been actively engaged in tilling the soil till 1874, since
which time he has lived in his present location, at Rock Port. When
he first came to this county he settled on government land, but was not
able to buy land after the surveys were made, or it had come in market.
He now has a landed estate of 240 acres, after having divided with his
children. Judge Purdum has served four years as county assessor and
nine years as public administrator. From January 1, 18/3, till January
1, 1877, he was judge of the probate court, discharging his various duties
very creditably. He was married the second time (February 24, 1875,)
to Mrs. Judah S. Buckham. Her maiden name was Barlow, and she was
born in Shelby County, Indiana, August 5, 1834. Her father, Jeremiah
Barlow, was born in Kentucy, and was there married to Miss Mary
White, of Tennessee. They had a family of eight children, Mrs. Purdum
being the youngest child. Her parents came to Atchison County, Mis-
souri, when she was 14 years of age.
CHARLES F. RAPP,
an enteprising and energetic farmer, section 35, was born in Germany,
November 17, 1842. In the spring of 1849 he came with his parents to
America and located in Atchison County, Missouri. He has made
farming his occupation during life and now has a farm of 122 acres. He
was married in August, 1864, to Miss Leah Fox, who was born in
Shelby County, Indiana, October 31, 1849. They have five children:
Mary, William, George, Frederick and Martha. Mr. R. has improved
his farm by hard labor and now has a good place, which is carried on
under his careful supervision in which he is assisted by his worthy wife.
CHARLES REITER,
druggist and grocer, was born in the town of Paschel, within a few miles
of the city of Trier, on the river Mosel, Germany, on the 23d of Septem-
ber, 1841 . He was reared in his native town, and received a very fair
education in the German language. He was also brought up to play on
most all musical instruments. September 30, 1864, he started for Amer-
CLAY TOWNSHIP. 707
ica, and after landing at New York, he located in Calumet County, Wis-
consin, where he was engaged in teaching music and farming till the fall
of 1 868. At that time he came to Rock Port, where he lived till 1874,
then moving to Maryville, Nodaway County, Missouri. After leaving
Wisconsin, he was interested in the saloon business till 1878, when he
returned from Maryville to Rock Port, and here has since been occupied
in the grocery business. In February, 1880, he also began in the drug
business, and now has two business rooms. He gives some attention to
teaching music. Mr. Reiter was married April 16, r868, to Miss Jane
Mitchell, a native of Bohemia. She was born May 24, 1850, and came
to America in the year 1855. They have six children : John N., born in
Rock Port, Missouri, February 28, 1869; Carl J., born in Rock Port, Mis-
souri, January 2, 1871 ; Frederick W., born in Rock Port, Missouri, March
21, 1873 ; Clara W., born in Maryville, Missouri, May 23, 1875 ; Losa N.,
born in Maryville, Missouri, November 23, 1878 ; Ida C, born in Rock
Port, Missouri, March 8, 1880. Mr. Reiter's family are all musicians, and
all play on different musical instruments, excepting the youngest child.
He and Mrs. Reiter both having a talent for music, and being expert
performers on a variety of instruments, their children seem to be natural
musicians.
CHARLES RENNER,
a leading merchant tailor of the city of Rock Port, was born in Prussia,
Germany, August 5, 1818. He was reared and educated in his native
country, and has followed his present trade since he attained the age of
fourteen years. In 1849, ne emigrated to America, and located in New
Orleans, where he lived till 1854, when he went to Louisville, Kentucky,
and in 1858 he came to Rock Port, Atchison County, Missouri. He has
since been a resident of the place, and being an unusually excellent
workman, commands a good trade. May 12, 1845, Mr. Renner was mar-
ried to Miss Amelia Schultz, who was born in Germany, March 5, 1821.
They have three children, Charles, Emma and Bettie.
ENOCH D. SCAMMON,
one of the early pioneers, and stiil (1882) a resident of Atchison County,
was born in South Coast, State of Maine, November 17, 1806. He is
the eldest of a family of five children, five of whom were sons. In early
manhood he determined to seek his fortune in the distant west, and in
1838 landed in Jackson County, Missouri, at that period a comparative
wilderness. Two years after, allured by the glowing accounts of the few
who had penetrated the distant border of the Platte Purchase, he deter-
mined to make his home in that land of promise, and starting with his
outfit, in due time reached the site of his present habitation, in Clay
70S HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
Township, where he has since continued to reside, two miles west of the
city of Rock Port and three miles east of Phelps City. Shortly after the
close of the civil war he laid out, on the site of his farm, a town which
he named Union City, a full history and description of which will be found
in the body of this work. This was once an important trading point, and
but for the subsequent location of the line of the Kansas City, St. Joseph
and Council Bluffs Railroad three miles to the westward of its site, would
undoubtedly have become the commercial center of the county. Mr.
Scammon was married in January, 1846, to Miss Elizabeth Templeton,
daughter of William Templeton, a native of the State of Indiana, and
also a pioneer of the Purchase. By this marriage he has had seven
children, of whom the following named are still living : Rev. William
W. Scammom, a minister of the M. E. Church, born November 26, 1847 ;
James M., born May 15, 1850, and for the past eleven years a prominent
merchant of Phelps City ; Mary C, wife of Lewis Fleming, Esq., of St.
Joseph, Missouri ; E. Jane, wife of James A. Smith, a farmer of Clay
Township, Atchison County, and Mark Sedwick, born in 1866. Francis
S. died at the age of three years, and another child died in early infancy.
Mr. Scammon is a prominent member of the M. E. Church, to the sup-
port of which he has all his life largely contributed. The church edifice in
Union City was built by him in Rock Port and moved to Union City on
the establishment of that town by him, in the center of his extensive
landed possessions.
C. SCHNEIDER,
dealer in jewelry and sewing machines. Among the business enter-
prises of Rock Port, which are ably represented by men of business
tact, the jewelry business is not to be found in the rear. C. Schneider
was born in Wurtemburg, Germany, June 26, 1844. His parents, John
and Maria Schneider, now live in Strawsburg, Tuscarawas County, Ohio.
They came to America in the year 1852, first locating in Holmes County,
Ohio, but afterwards moving to Tuscarawas County, where the subject
of this sketch was reared and educated. He lived on a farm till he was
six years of age, when in the fall of 1861, he enlisted as a private in
Company C, Sixty-seventh Ohio infantry, remaining in the service until
in January, 1865. He participated in many important battles, among
which were Winchester, Virginia, under McClellan, on the Peninsula, in
front of Richmond, Blackwater, Virginia, and in June, 1863, in the battle
on Morris Island, where he was wounded in his left arm. This wound
disabled him from duty for six months, after which he participated in
many other battles and skirmishes. He was mustered out at Columbus,
Ohio, and then returned to Tuscarawas County. One winter previous to
his going into the army, he had worked at the jewelry trade. He
resumed labor at the same business in Canfield.Ohio, where he continued
CLAY TOWNSHIP. 700.
till the fall of 1866, when he moved to Rock Port, Missouri. Here he has
since been successfully engaged in his present business. He is a member
of Rock Port Lodge, No. 135, I. O. O. F ; Rock Port Encampment,
No. 79, I. O. O. F.; North Star Lodge, No. 157, A. F. and A. M.
North West Lodge No. 134, A. O. U. W., and Legion No. 12, S. K. A.
O. U. W. Mr. Schneider was married November 8, 1868, to Miss
Lucinda Wood, who was born in Butler County, Ohio, December 3,
1849. Her father was a native of Pennsylvania and her mother of
Indiana. They have had eight children, six of whom are living — Charley,
Arthur, Jennie, Willie, Harry and Fred. Mr. and Mrs. S. are members
of the Baptist Church.
W. D. SCHOOLER,
agriculturist, section 1, post office Rock Port, is a native of Virginia, and
was born in Spottsylvania County, January 25, 18 13. His father, Gar-
rett Schooler, and his mother, Elizabeth B. Johnson, were both natives
of the same county as himself. W. D. is the fourth child in a family of-
three sons and two daughters. When but a child his parents moved to
Louisa County, Virginia, where they lived till he was fourteen years of
age, then moving to Grayson .County, Kentucky. He was reared a farm-
er's boy and has followed that occupation during life, except for four or
five years, when he was engaged as a clerk in a store. In 1854 he came
to Missouri and located on the farm where he now resides, in Atchison
County. This contains 440 acres of excellent land. Mr. S. was married
September 6, 1838, to Miss Polly D. Nuckolls. They have had eleven
children, six of whom are now living: Frances A., born November 5,
1840 ; James E., born September 4, 1843 ; Ezra H., born December 18,
1845 ; Wyley K., born October 18, 1848 ; Ella T., born September 12,
1856 ; Floyd H., born July 14, 1867. Mrs. S. is the oldest child in a fam-
ily of six sons and five daughters, and she was born in Grayson County,
Kentucky, February 29, 1824. Her father, Ezra Nuckolls, was a native
of Louisa County, Virginia, and her mother, formerly Lucinda Hale, was
born in Grayson County, Kentucky.
CAPTAIN GEORGE F. SMITH,
farmer, sections 22 and 23, was born in Langensalea, Prussia, Germany,
November 15, 1820. His parents, John G. and Louisa Smith, were also
natives of Germany. George was the eldest child of a family of eight
children, and in 1833 he came with his parents to America, landing at
New York City, where he remained for three years. He then located at
St. Louis, Missouri, where he lived for twelve years, receiving good edu-
cational advantages. While in St. Louis he learned the tanners' trade,
and also the trade of shoemaker. In 1844 he moved to Nebraska and
710 HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
in 1847 came to Atchison County, Missouri, but he did not locate here
permanently till 1849. Since that time he has been engaged in farming
and now has a farm of 220 acres. In the fall of 1861 he enlisted in
Company B, Fifty-eighth Missouri Militia and was first elected to lieu-
tenant and afterwards promoted to captain. He was subsequently
appointed enrolling officer of Atchison County, Missouri, and is the
only man that ever filled the position in the county. Captain Smith
was married January 20, 1846, to Miss Tracy Rettinger, a daughter of
John G. and Lena Rettinger. She was born in Bavaria, Germany, June
11, 1828. They have had ten children, seven of whom are living:
George F., born January 4, 1847; Clara, born November 22, 1848 (now
Mrs. Jesse White, of Atchison County); Anna, born May 31, 1853, (the
wife of Mr. Henry Broughton, of this county); Louisa, born September
9, 1858, (now Mrs. Marion Underwood, of this county); William H.,
born February 3, 1861 ; George C, born August 17, 1863, and Emma A.,
born December 4, 1870.
JOHN W. SMITH,
present (1882) popular clerk of the circuit court of Atchison County, and
for many years a representative citizen of the Platte Purchase, is a native
of Madison County, Virginia, where he was born, December 22, 1823.
His ancestors, originally from England, were among the settlers of the
ancient commonwealth in colonial days, and for generations ranked with
the leading men of the country. His grandfather's name was John, and
his father, Adam Y. Smith. His mother, whose maiden name was Sarah
J. Colvin, was also a native of Virginia, and a lady of rare mental acquire-
ments, and great force of character. Mr. Smith, in early childhood,
moved with his parents to Culpeper County, where they resided on a
farm and where John was educated. In 1839, he left home for Luray,
Page County, Virginia, where he had his first experience in life as clerk
for his uncle Nicholas Yager. Ten years after he secured a position in a
wholesale dry goods house, which he continued to fill till 1854, when
He determined to try his fortune in the west. Landing in Mis-
souri, he made his way to Sidney, Iowa, where he engaged in
the mercantile business as one of the firm of Smith, McAllis-
ter & Co. In the following year he moved to Linden, then the seat of
Atchison County, where he embarked in the goods business as head of
the firm of Smith, Brown & McAllister. In the winter of 1838, he moved
to Rock Port, where he engaged in the live stock and grain business till
the spring of i860, when he accepted the appointment of superintendent
of the United States census of Atchison County. fIn August, i860, he
was elected on the Democratic ticket, sheriff of Atchison' County, serv-
ing two years. He filled, during the succeeding two years, the position
CLAY TOWNSHIP. 71 1
of county assessor. In 1S65, he engaged in freighting on the plains, from
Nebraska City to Julesburg. During the winter of 1865-66, he was
employed in writing up abstract books for Buchanan County for Durfee,
Pike & Davenport. He then went into the wheat business. In 1867, he
returned to Rock Port, where he engaged in the livery business, till the
winter of 1868. In the fall of 1869, he moved to Hamburg, Iowa, where
he sold goods till 1873. From April of that year till January, 1875, he
acted in the capacity of deputy clerk of the circuit court of Atchison
County, at which latter period he assumed the duties of clerk of the
same to what he had been elected in the previous fall. He was re-elected
in the fall of 1878, and still (1882) holds the position. He is a member
of North Star Lodge No. 157, A. F. and A. M., and Past Master of the
same. He is also an active member of Zerubbabel R. A. Chapter No.
59. He is also a member of Rock Port Lodge No. 125, I. O. O. F. On
the 14th of June, 1877, he was married to Mrs. Susan P. Frederick, whose
maiden name was Trubb. She was born in Pike County, Illinois, in 1836.
They have one child, Willie F. Both Mr. Smith and his wife are mem-
bers of the M. E. Church.
DANIEL SNYDER,
proprietor of the Rock Port Hotel, was born in Danville, Mantour County,
Pennsylvania, April 20, 1827. His parents, Peter and Sarah Snyder, were
both natives of that state. Daniel was reared to habits of industry in
his native town, and during his boyhood days worked on the canal. In
1849 ne moved to Ohio and drove a stage on the national road till 1852,
when he located in Chicago, where he also drove a stage for a period.
Mr. S. then went to Bloomfield, Iowa, and acted as office agent for a
stage line till 1857, when he came to Oregon, Holt County, Missouri.
There he was also agent for a stage company for a short time, after
which he came to Rock Port, where he held the same position till 1865.
Since then he has been engaged in his present business. He was mar-
ried in October, 1867, to Miss Eliza Blair, a native of Holt County, Mo.
Mr. S. has the name of possessing and keeping one of the most complete
hotels in Northwest Missouri, it being elegantly furnished and well kept.
There are few landlords who are more popular with the traveling public
than Mr. Snyder, he being courteous in his manners and agreeable to all.
JOHN E. SPURLOCK, •
present treasurer of Atchison County, and of the firm of J. E. Spurlock
& Co., druggists, is the son of Wesley and Mary (Booton) Spurlock, who
were both natives of Virginia. John E. was born in Wayne County,
Iowa, March 5, 1845, and when but a child his parents moved to Mills
712 HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
County, Iowa. After residing there a short time Cass County, Nebraska,
became their home, where they lived -some eight years, then going to
Nebraska City. Young Spurlock was reared on a farm, and was educa-
ted in the common schools. While in Nebraska City he learned the
harnessmaker's trade. In 1868 he went to Hamburg, Iowa, and there
worked at his trade one year, after which he embarked in the drug busi-
ness. In 187 1 he came to Rock Port, and has since followed the occupa-
tion of a druggist. In November, 1880, Mr. Spurlock was elected by the
Republican party to fill the office of Treasurer of Atchison County, the
duties of which position he has thus far discharged with much satisfac-
tion to the public. He is a member of Northwest Lodge, No. 134, A. O.
U. W. He was married May 31, 1873, t0 Miss Louisa Pherson, a daugh-
ter of John Pherson. She was born in Topeka, Kansas, September 20,
1855. They have two children, Lorenzo and Nannie.
MICHEL STECK,
farmer, section 22, was born in the village of Hackanaw, Elcers, France,
and was the eldest child in a family of nine children. He was reared in
his native country, and there learned the stonemason's trade. In Feb-
ruary, 1840, he came to America and first settled in St. Louis, where he
followed his trade for seven years, after which he came to Atchison
County, Missouri. Here he has since been engaged in agricultural pur-
suits, his farm containing 200 acres. It is. most excellently improved.
In the year 1850, Mr. Steck crossed the plains to California, where he
was engaged in mining for four years, after which he returned home by
the Isthmus. He has been twice married, first in 183.6, to Miss Magde-
line Wolf, a native of France. She died in 1862, leaving six children —
George, Ansel, Antonio, Mary (now Mrs. Charlie Hartman), Hannah
(now Mrs. George Hintneck), and Betty (now Mrs. George Gray. Mr.
Steck was married again July 4, 1863, to Annie Rhody, whose maiden
name was Annie Bear. She is a native of Hessia, Germany. Mr.
Steck is a prominent member of the Christian Church, while his wife
belongs to the Lutheran denomination.
CAPTAIN GEORGE STECK,
farmer, section 24, a son of Michel Steck, Esq., a worthy citizen of this
county, was born January 17, 1837, his native home being France.
When three years of age he emigrated to America with his parents,
locating in St. Louis, and in 1847 he came to Atchison County, where
he has since lived. He now owns a farm of 136 acres. His education
was received in Atchison County, he having attended the first school
taught in the county. During the war he served as captain in Company
v
CLAY TOWNSHIP. 713
A, of the Missouri State Militia, having organized the first state com-
pany in the county. In October, 1863, Mr. Steck enlisted in Company
B, Twelfth Missouri Cavalry, U. S. Volunteers, filling the position of
second lieutenant. In November, 1864, he was taken prisoner. May
15, 1865, he was mustered out as a paroled prisoner. During his term
of imprisonment he was in Andersonville, Oxford, Tallahatchie and
other prison pens. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, also of
the A. O. U. W. Captain Steck was married June 7, 1862, to Miss
Emily J. Howell, a native of Meigs County, Ohio. They have eight
children : Emma, Effie, Bertha, Ora, Frank L., Michel, Marcus and
Irvin.
WILLIAM SUTTER,
proprietor of the Rock Port Brewery, is a native of Switzerland, and was
born May 26, 1846. He was reared and educated in his native country,
and has followed his present business during life. In 1863 he came to
America, landing at New York City. For a number of years he lived
in St. Louis, Omaha, Council Bluffs, St. Joseph, and Maryville, and in
1876 he came to Rock Port, where he has since been engaged in the
manufacture of fine beer, in which he is very successful. He was mar-
ried in February, 1868, to Miss Mary Hartman, of Atchison County,
Missouri. They have five children : Emma, Henry, Willie, Edia and
Johona. Having been so long in his present business, Mr. S. must needs
have become thoroughly acquainted with the details of the work, and
now has a large trade.
MRS. MARY TAYLOR
is the widow of the late James A. Taylor, who was born in Clarke County,
Indiana, November 21, 1825. He was a son of Judson and Elizabeth
(Cassady) Taylor, who were natives of Kentucky. Judson Taylor now
lives in Indiana and has for many years been engaged in the practice of
medicine. James A. Taylor was reared and educated in his native
county, and during his boyhood days his time was divided between work-
ing on a farm and clerking in a store. He was afterwards occupied in
teaching school for several years. November 21, 1850, he was married
to Miss Mary Callaway, by whom he had four children, and of these two
are now living, Eugene P. and Eddie W. In 1855 Mr. Taylor moved
from Indiana to Missouri, and located on section 11, of Clay Township,
Atchison County, where Mrs. Taylor now resides. There he was engaged
in farming till the time of his death, which occurred September 3, 1878,
He then had a farm of 240 acres, which has since been cared for by Mrs.
T. and her sons. They now have 300 acres of choice land and know how
to keep it in cultivation. During the time of Mr. Taylor's residence in
714 HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
Atchison County he was for several years a member of the county court.
He belonged to North Star Lodge, No. 157, A. F. and A.M., and was buried
by that fraternity. Mrs. Taylor was born in Clarke County Indiana,
August 8, 1826. Her father, Samuel Callaway, was a native of Kentucky,
and her mother, whose maiden name was Lucy Cable, was born in North
Carolina. Mrs. T. is a member of the Christian Church.
ROBERT W. TRIMBLE
is the present affable deputy clerk of Atchison County. Robert Trimble
his grandfather was a native of Virginia, from which state he emigrated
to Kentucky, settling in Bourbon County. There he was engaged in
the practice of law, and at the time of his death was one of the supreme
judges. Trimble County, Kentucky, was named in his honor. Henry
T. Trimble, the father of R. W., was born in Bourbon County, Kentucky,
and studied the professions of both law and medicine, but practiced
neither. He was married to Miss Nancy Wyatt, and from this marriage
there were born four children, Robert W. Trimble, whose name heads
this sketch, being the second child. He was born in Nicholas County,
Kentucky, July 24, 1841, and there lived till the fall of 1856, when, with
his parents, he came to Missouri. They located in Sonora, now a town
of the past, which was then in Atchison County. Young Trimble was
principally reared on a farm. His father died in August, 1858, and in
1861 he crossed the plains to Colorado, where he was engaged in freight-
ing to different points in that territory, and also Montana. While there
he was interested in the photograph business for a short time. Mr. T.
returned to Atchison County in the fall of 1866, after which he was for
six years occupied in milling in different parts of the county. For one
year he was in the mercantile trade at Watson, being a member of the
firm of Jarne & Trimble. He then went to Indianola, Iowa, and followed
the photograph business for one year, at the expiration of which time he
was located in Oregon, Holt County, Missouri, in the same business.
He soon again engaged in the milling business in Holt County, but in
one year returned to Atchison County, where he tilled the soil till the
fall of 1879. Mr. Trimble then accepted his present position under M.
L. Lee. He is a member of North West Lodge, No. 134, A. O. U. W.,
and of Rock Port Legion No. 12, S. K. A. O. U. W. He was married in
October, 1867, to Miss Martha E. Starnes, by which union they have four
children — Henry, Willie, Irene and Alma. Mrs. T. was born in Greene
County, East Tennessee, December 16, 1852, and came to Atchison
County in 1853. Her father, Alexander Starnes, was a native of Ten-
nessee, as was also her mother, formerly Elizabeth McAdams.
CLAY TOWNSHIP. 71 5
GEORGE TRAUB,
was born in Germany, August 5, 1821, and when sixteen years of age he
learned the wagon maker's trade, which he followed till 1846. After this
time he served for several years as a soldier in the regular army. In
1849 he came to America, and soon located in Atchison County, where
he was engaged in working at the blacksmith and wagonmaker's trade,
in Rock Port, from 1852 till 1873. He built the first blacksmith shop in
the town. In 1869, he embarked in the lumber business, which he con-
tinued for eleven years. He is not now engaged in any active business,
his time being occupied in looking after the interests of his farms. He
has a landed estate of 480 acres. His residence farm, adjoining the town
contains 80 acres, and is well improved, and upon it is more than an
•ordinary large orchard and vineyard, from which he made, in 1881, seven-
teen barrels of wine. As far as the quality of this article is concerned,
one has only to taste to judge of its purity. His home is upon an
■eminence commanding a fine view of the town. During the late war he
served in the Missouri State Militia, and acted as lieutenant. He is a
member of the I. O. O. F. Mr. Traub was married March 4, 1849, to Miss
Fredrica Holzwust, who was born in Germany, November 14, 1828. They
have nine children : Frederick, Louis, Charles, Regana, John, Mary,
Louisa, Gustaf, and George, Jr.
FREDERICK TRAUB,
■of the firm of Bischof & Traub, dealers in hardware, stoves and tin- .
ware, is a native of Untler Schlechtbach, Germany, the date of his birth
being March 9, 1824. He was reared and educated in his native coun-
try and there learned the bakers' trade, and also the milling business,
which he followed in Germany till 1854. At that time he came to
America, landing at New Orleans and from there removed to Rock
Port, where he has since lived. Having no money when he came here,
!he worked at various employments for a period of time and was after-
wards engaged in the milling business, and for eighteen years he was
•occupied in farming. He now has a farm of eighty-four acres east of
town and at his residence twenty-one acres, surrounded with fruit trees
and a vineyard, besides other property in Rock Port. In 1874 he began
in his present business, which he has since continued, and in which he
has been more than ordinarily successful. Kind and courteous to all, he
•commands the esteem of many patrons. Mr. Traub was married May
15, 1849, to Miss Louisa Buhner. She was born in Germany, August
J8, 1827. The have one child, Louisa K. They are members of the
Lutheran Church.
7l6 HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
ALBERT TRAUB,
of the firm of Albert Traub & Co., bakers and dealers in groceries and
confectionery, was born August 7, 1840, and is a native of Germany,
where his father now resides. Albert was there reared and educated.
While a boy he learned the blacksmith trade, which he followed in Ger-
many till the spring of 1868, when he emigrated to America, landing at
New York. In a short time he came to Rock Port, where he followed
his trade till 1881, in the fall of which year he began at his present occu-
pation, and in which he has built up a good trade. Mr. T. was married
January 30, 1869, to Miss Sophia Volkmann, who was born in Germany,
November 28, 1840. They have two children, Amelia and Laura. They
are members of the Lutheran Church.
CYRUS N. VAN PELT,
of the firm of Van Pelt & Blake, editors and proprietors of the Atchison
County Mail, was born in Versailles, Woodford County, Kentucky,
March 31, 185 1. In 1859 he moved with his parents, Cyrus P. and Mil-
dred H. Van Pelt, to Bath County, Kentucky, and until April, 187 1, was
a resident of Sharpsburg in that county. At the time mentioned he
moved to Missouri and settled at Watson, where he was married on the
2d day of February, 1874, to Miss Bettie Boston, the daughter of G. T.
and Sarah A. Boston. During his stay in Watson Mr. Van Pelt was
engaged in mercantile pursuits. In June, 1879, ne rnoved to Rock Port,
and in connection with C. E. Blake purchased the Atchison County Maily
of which paper he has since been the senior editor. Mr. Van Pelt is a
ready and able writer, bold and forcible on all subjects which he deems
for the best interests of the party with which he is identified, or the
moral, intellectual and material welfare of the people of the county.
The Atchison County Mail has built up a good circulation, is a live,
active and well edited journal, a credit to the proprietors and to the sec-
tion it represents. It ably champions the interests of this part of the
country, and bids fair for a life of usefulness and prosperity.
CHARLES VOLKMANN,
of the firm of Albert Traub & Co., grocers, was born in Germany, Sep-
tember 30, 1846. He was there reared and educated, and when fourteen
years of age he learned the baker's trade. He followed the bakery and
confectionery business in Germany till 1866, when he emigrated to
America, landing at New York in February. From there he came to
Rock Port, and in one year went to St. Joseph, where he was engaged
in working, at his trade for three years. Maryville next became his home
but after he had remained a few months there, he returned to Rock Port,
CLAY TOWNSHIP. 717
and opened out a bakery in connection with the saloon business, contin-
uing both houses till 1880. Mr. V. then spent one year in Denver, and
has since been engaged in his present calling, meeting with good suc-
cess. He was married January 26, 1873, to Miss Eliza Rhoda. She was
born in Atchison County, Missouri, November 22, 185 1. They have two
children, Charles and Louisa. The family of Mr. V. are members of the
Lutheran Church.
P. R. WAGOR,
insurance agent, is a native of Oneida County, New York, and was born
April 23, 1843. His father, Samuel Wagor, was born in the state of
Pennsylvania, and his mother, whose maiden name was Rachel Daniels,
came originally from Maine. In 1855 the family moved to Wheaton,
DuPage County, Illinois, and two years later, in 1857, they located at
Amity, Page County, Iowa, where P.R. Wagor attended the Amity Col-
lege till the breaking out of the war. In June, 1861, he enlisted in Com-
pany F, First Nebraska Infantry, which company was formed in Page
County, Iowa. He remained in service till May 2, 1866, having veter-
anized in the cavalry in July, 1863. He participated in a number of
important battles, among which were Fort Donaldson, Pittsburg Land-
ing, Corinth and others. During the last three years in service he filled
a position in the band as a musician. After he was mustered out Mr. W.
was stationed in different localities, till 1870, Peoria and Chicago, Illi-
nois, and Osceola, Iowa. In 1870 he came from Clarinda, Iowa, to Atch-
ison County, Missouri, and settled in Watson, from whence, after living
one year, he came to Rock Port. Here he has since been engaged in the
insurance business. In January, 1875, he was appointed deputy county
clerk, serving for five years in an acceptable manner. For two years past
he has been engaged in writing the abstract books of Atchison County,
for John D. Dopf. He is a member of North Star Lodge, No. 145, A. F.
and A. M. Mr. Wagor was married May 31, 1874, to Miss Lucy E.
McCrery. She was born in Coshocton County, Ohio, January 12, 1840.
She was reared in Ohio and came to Atchison County, Missouri, in 1873.
Her father, John McCrery, was a native of Licking County, Ohio, and
her mother, formerly Emily Brown, was born in Knox County, Ohio.
Mr. and Mrs. Wagor are members of the Presbyterian Church.
PETER WALTER, Sr.,
farmer, section 14, is a native of Grand Duke of Hessia, Germany, and
was born June 26, 1824. He emigrated to America in 1832, landing at
Baltimore, and then went to Pittsburgh and thence by keel boat to Cin-
cinnati, where he was engaged as clerk in a hat and clothing store for
seven years. During the winter of 1839-40 he moved to Shelby
7l8 HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
County, Indiana, and there remained until the fall of 1855, when he
came to Atchison County, and has since remained here occupied in
farming. His landed estate consists of 415 'acres, a part of which his
father entered. Mr. Walter was married February 23, 1852, to Miss
Anna M. Kizer, of Hessia, Germany. They have had twelve children,
six of whom are now living : Philip, Peter, Henry, Charlie, George and
John. Mrs. Walter died in 1870. Mr. W. was married again August 5,
1871, to Mary Schoval, whose maiden name was Peters. She is a native
of Grand Duke of Hessia, and was born in December, 1828.
PHILIP WALTER,
farmer, section 14, was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, October 11, 1855. His
parents moved to Shelby, Indiana, in the winter of 1839-40, and there
he was reared and educated, spending his boyhood days on the farm.
He accompanied his parents to Atchison County, Missouri, in 1854,.
where he has since resided, being engaged in agricultural pursuits. He
now owns 137 acres of fine land. During the late war he served in the
M. S. M. He was married June 14, 1863 to Miss Caroline Fox, a native
of Shelby County, Indiana. She was born December 13, 1846. They
have been blessed with eight children, four of whom are now living :
Leah M.; Minnie B.; Martha L., and Ora J.
ALFRED A. J. WANNSCHAFF
was born in Oldenburg, Germany, June 22, 1856. He was reared and
educated in his native country, and in 1871 he came to America, making
Rock Port his destination, since which time he has been employed in
his present position in the Bank of Atchison County. He became a
partner in the firm in February, 1882, and as a financier is surpassed by
none. He is a member of North West Lodge, 134, A. O. U. W., and of
Rock Port Legion, No. 12, S. K. A. O. U. W. Mr. Wannschaff was
married February 16, 1879, to Miss Vena Valker, of Illinois. They
have two children : Herma and Anna. Mr. W. is a rising young busi-
ness man, possessed of more than ordinary intelligence and a favorite
with all.
DAVID WHITMIRE, M. D.,
a prominent physician of Rock Port, is a native of Ohio, and was born
in Licking County. His parents, John and Margaret (Robinson) Whit-
mire, were both natives of Virginia. When David was about five years
of age, he moved with them to Sidney, Shelby County, Ohio, where he
grew to manhood. He was literally brought up to learn the trade of
tanning and currying. In 1841 he went :o Virginia, Cass County,
Illinois, where he vvas engaged in teaching school and studying medicine
CLAY TOWNSHIP. 719
till 1845, when he moved to Matamora, Woodford County, Illinois.
There he followed teaching and clerking in a drug store, and continued
his study of medicine. During the winter of 1849 anc^ 1850 he attended
Rush Medical College of Chicago, and was also a student at the same
institution in the winter of 185 1-2. In 1852 he came to Atchison County,
where for some time he was interested in teaching. In the spring of
1854 he was graduated from Rush Medical College, and soon began the
practice of medicine in Rock Port. During the fall and winter of 1857,
he attended a course of lectures in the Ohio Medical College of Cincin-
nati. In 1858, Dr. Whitmire located in the town of Saint Stephens,
Nebraska, where he was engaged in the practice of his profession till the
fall of 1870, then going to Rulo, in the same county. In 1871 he returned
to Rock Port, where he has since resided. He was married in the spring
of 1855, to Miss Nancy Young, of Virginia. She died in 1856. He was
again married in January, i860, to Miss Amanda L. Smith, of Virginia.
She died in 1873. They had four children — Mary E., Guss., Maude and
William P. A physician of many years' experience and practice, Dr.
W. has succeeded in obtaining a lucrative practice, and the esteem of
the citizens of this vicinity.
ARCHIBALD E. WYATT,
a leading business man and a representative citizen of Atchison County,
was born April 28, 1833, in Scott County, Indiana. His parents, Edmund
S. and Sarah (Dean) Wyatt, were natives of the state of Virginia. The
days of his boyhood and early manhood were spent in Ohio, during
which time he served an apprenticeship of three years at mechanical
labor. In 1858, he left Chicago Illinois, where he had for some time been
residing engaged in business, for the then far west, and the winter of
1858—59 he spent in Nebraska. In the spring of 1859, ne went to that
part of Colorado which was known as Pike's Peak. Returning to Nebraska
in the fall of 1859, he came thence to Atchison County, Missouri, in the
spring of i860, where he has since continuously resided. During the war
he took an active interest in political matters, as a Republican and a
strong Union man. He was made captain of a company of militia, and
in 1862 was elected sheriff and ex-officio collector of Atchison County,
and in 1864, he was elected his own successor without opposition. In
1866, he was elected a member of the general assembly of the State of
Missouri. After serving one term in the legislature, he retired trom
I political life, and engaged in farming and in the lumber business. In
1870, he disposed of his lumber interests and embarked in the banking
business in Rock Port, which, together with farming he has continued
to follow to the present time. In 1872, Mr. Wyatt was elected a mem-
ber of the State Senate, from the First Senatorial District, composed of
720 HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
the counties of Atchison, Holt, Andrew and Nodaway. In 1876, he was
a delegate from the Ninth Congressional District of Missouri, to the
National Republican Convention, held at Cincinnati, Ohio. In 1880, he
was the Republican candidate for Presidential Elector from the Ninth
District. Mr. Wyatt has been identified with the interests of the county
for over twenty years. To its development and prosperity he has con-
tributed largely, and now is at the head of one of the most solid and
popular banking institutions in this part of the state. He has been
eminently successful in life, but his success has been achieved by energy,
perseverence and careful judgment in business enterprises. He is refined
and sensitive in his feelings, and in his manner retiring and reserved
and a man whom one meets only to wish for a more extended acquain-
tance. Mr. Wyatt was married on the 24th day of October, 1861, in
Atchison County, Missouri, to Miss Caroline H. Trimble. She was the
daughter of Henry T. Trimble, a native of Kentucky, and Nancy nee
(Wyatt) Trimble, and was born in Nicholas County, Kentucky, April 29,
1844. She accompanied her parents on their move to Atchison County,
Missouri, in 1856. Mr. and Mrs. Wyatt have five children : Grant, born
January 21, 1864 ; Mary, born February 16, 1867 ; Harry E. born May l]
1869 ; Marcus W., born November 25, 1874 ; Dean T., born September
16, 1877.
CHAPTER X.
CLARK TOWNSHIP.
BOUNDARIES — TOPOGRAPHY — BRIDGES-EARLY SETTLERS — SCHOOLS - CHURCHES-
IRISH GROVE— SECRET ORDERS — MILTON — FAIRFAX — CHURCHES — SECRET
ORDERS— SCHOOLS-INCORPORATION— BUSINESS DIRECTORY-TOWN OFFICERS-
POPULATION OF FAIRFAX -NISHNEBOTNA— BUSINESS DIRECTORY-EARLY SET-
TLERS-COAL—BIOGRAPHICAL.
Clark Township, one of the original municipal divisions of Atchison
County was reduced to its present limits by the organization of Dale
Township, August 23, 1876. It is a county division of considerable
extent, measuring, in its greatest length north and south, nine miles, and
in its greatest width nine and a half, miles, east and west. Its form,
with the exception of a portion of its western boundary, which is broken
by the sinuosities of the Nishnebotna River, is regular, and its corners
right angles. It is bounded oh the north by two miles of Clay Town-
ship and six miles of Tarkio Township ; on the east, in its entire dis-
tance of nine miles, by Dale Township ; on the south by Holt County
and in a short distance, (about two miles,) on the southwest by the
Missouri River, which separates it from the State of Nebraska ; on the
west by Benton Township, from which it is separated by the Nishne-
botna River, and in a distance of four miles by a direct line separating
it from Clay Township.
TOPOGRAPHY.
The greater proportion of Clark Township is prairie. It, however,
contains in comparison with other townships of the county a consider-
able amount of good timber. The bluff line extends through the west-
ern part of the township in a southeasterly direction from the northern
line of section 26, town 64, range 41, to the southwest corner of section
17, township 63, range 40, a distance of nearly six miles. To the east-
ward of this range, and generally from its base, extends a body of tim-
ber varying in width from two to two and a half miles. This grove,
which includes a fine growth of oak, elm, walnut, basswood and other
timber, growths proper to this latitude, embraces an area of nearly
seven thousand acres. To the eastward of this bluff range the land
surface is hilly and broken, as is to a greater or less extent universally
the case in similar localities of this section of the state. Rupe's
Grove, in sections 5, 6, 7 and 8, of township 64, range 40, contains
46
722 HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
about 800 acres of more or less valuable timber. Sections 17, 18, 20,
21 and 23, township 64, range 40, also abounds in timber, aggregating
probably between twelve and fifteen hundred acres in one continuous
body. Timber also abounds in section 1, in the northeast corner of the
township, and small groves are found in sections 25 and 26, township
64, range 40, as also detached spots of timber in sections 2 and n, in
township 63, range 40. The banks of the Tarkio in the neighborhood of
Milton, in the southern part of the township, are also clothed with a
fair growth of timber.
Clark Township has its level as well as its rough and broken dis-
tricts of country. All that portion of its territory extending from the
base of the bluff to the banks of the Missouri and Nishnebotna rivers is
a dead level country, an immensely productive soil, embracing a por-
tion of the great corn section of Missouri. A stream of some five or six
miles in length, or probably double that distance, estimating it by its
meanderings, flows in a southwesterly direction into and through the
timbered region above described, as extending from the bluff range east-
ward, and passing through the bluff, debouches into a long and narrow
lake or slough, which extends to the westward of and at the foot of this
bluff, in a distance of considerably over two miles, heading in the south-
east corner of section 2, whence it leads to the northeast corner of sec-
tion 14, and extending diagonally through sections 12 and 13, of town-
ship 63, range 41, and section 18, of township 63, range 40, enters Holt
County about a mile above the town of Corning.
The Big Tarkio enters Clark Township from the north in the center
of the north line of section 3, township 64, range 40, and flows, with tor-
tuous sinuosities in a generally southerly course through sections 10,
15, 22, 27, and 34 of said township and range, and through sections 3, 4,
9, 10, and 16, of township 63, range 40, into Holt County. This con-
stitutes the principal stream of the township. The Missouri and Nish-
nebotna are merely boundaries, and the other streams within the limits
of the township, though numerous, are insignificant brooks and branches.
BRIDGES.
There are in Clark Township six and one-half bridges, including
Groh bridge No. 1, in section 4, township 63, range 41, which connects
said township across the Nishnebotna with Benton Township. The
location of several bridges of this township, together with their style of
mechanism, extent, etc., appears fully in the general chapter entitled
" Bridges."
EARLY SETTLERS.
Among the early settlers of Clark Township were Dr. William
Mann, William McDaniel, William Combs, Rufus Young, Richard Rupe,
CLARK TOWNSHIP. 723
Major Pemberton, James Green, Jeremiah Farmer, John Smeltzer, John
Seymour and others, some of whom located in the township as early as
1841, and all before 1848. At that time land on the east side of the
Tarkio could be bought for fifteen cents per acre. Many of the early
settlers will be mentioned in giving a history of the towns in the town-
ship.
SCHOOLS.
The first school in the township was taught by Henry Ward, in 1844,
in a log house, located about one mile north of the town of Milton.
Among his pupils were the wife of Dr. Charles V. Snow, Lina Mann,
Licitta Mann, William Mann, John Smeltzer's children — Sarah, Malinda
and Nancy — Edward Horen's children, Richard Saunders, now of Mary-
ville, Missouri, and John and Leander Seymour.
CHURCHES.
There are seven churches in the township : The M. E. Church, at
Milton ; the Christian Church, on sections 29, 64 and 40 ; Old School
Presbyterian Church, at English Grove ; M. E Church, at Rupe's Grove;
Old School Presbyterian Church, at Fairfax ; Cumberland Presbyterian
Church, at Turner's Grove. The Old School Presbyterian Church, at
Fairfax, has just been completed and an organization perfected, of the
following members : S. P. Jewell and wife, W. N. Curry and wife and H.
L. Allen. Jewell and Curry are the elders and H. L. Allen is the only
deacon. No minister as yet. The Cumberland Presbyterian Church,
one mile southeast of Fairfax, has been in existence several years, and
among its early members were : James A. Campbell and wife, D. R.
McDaniel and wife, Elias Williams and wife, W. R. Walkup and wife.
The. present elders are Campbell and McDaniel. Henry J. Norman,
present minister.
IRISH GROVE.
Milton, originally Irish Grove, a name by which it is still generally
known, is located in the northwest quarter of the northeast quarter of
section 9, township 63, range 40, in Clark Township. For many years
Irish Grove was a regular station on the great stage and daily mail route,
between Saint Joseph and Council Bluffs. The locality was originally
settled by an enterprising class of citizens from Ireland, among whom
were Martin Murphy, Sr., and his son Martin. Among these were also
Thomas Cochrane, Thomas E. Sayre and others. They nearly all emi-
grated to California in 1844, starting from Council Bluffs, Iowa. The
biography of Martin Murphy, Jr., is given in our chapter on early settlers.
A post office kept by Harvey Williams, at his residence on a farm adjoin-
ing the present town site of Milton, was established as early as 1850,
724 HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
under the name of Irish Grove. Williams afterwards kept a store in
this house. Before Williams began to sell goods in the house in which
he kept the post office, however, William E. Graves, since dead, opened
at Irish Grove a store in which he sold goods for a period of two or three
years. He was thus the first merchant to do business in the place. John
Seymour, who settled here in 1842, made the first wagon that was made
in the county, all hand work. About this period, Dr. William Mann
put up a water power saw and grist mill, about a fourth of a mile from
the present site of Van Gundy's Mill, on the waters of Big Tarkio. This
mill, several years after, passed into the hands of James A. Curry, who,
after operating it for some time, sold the mill to John Van Gundy. At
the expiration of two years, Van Gundy & Co. tore down the old struc-
ture of this mill, and erected near its site, at a cost of $15,000, the present
water power flouring mill which operates three run of burrs. This was
about the year 1863 or 1864, and in 1866, he added a saw mill.
IRISH GROVE LODGE NO. 483, A. F. AND A. M.
was set to work, U. D., in August, 1874, with the following officers :
Jesse Noel, W. M.; Samuel Van Gundy, S. W. ; John Van Gundy, J. W.;
John Seymour, Treasurer, and James H. Laird, Secretary.
The charter of the lodge is dated October 16, 1874. The first elec-
tion under this charter occurred November 9, 1874, with the following
result : Samuel Van Gundy, W. M.; J. J. Denny S. W. ; Robert Gallo-
way, J. W.; John Van Gundy, Treasurer, and J. B. Denny, Secretary.
The second annual election occurred December 27, 1875, with the
following result: Samuel Van Gundy, W. M. ; J.J. Denny, S. W. ;
Thomas Combs, J. W.; John Van Gundy, Treasurer, and J. B. Denny,
Secretary.
The third election which was held December 27, 1876, and resulted
as follows : J. J. Denny, W. M.; James A. Hunter, S. W.; Philip Patton,
J. W.; G. W. Beck, Treasurer, and J. B. Denny, Secretary.
The fourth annual election was held December 27, 1877, with the
following result: J. J. Denny, W. M.; M. Koons, S. W.; J. B. Denney,
J. W. ; J. W. Beck, Treasurer, S. P. Jewett, Secretary.
The fifth annual election occurred December 27, 1878, with the fol-
lowing result : Dr. James A. Hunter, W. M.; M. Koons, S. W.; Samuel
Van Gundy, J. W.; James Scarlett, Treasurer, and S. P.Jewell, Secretary.
December 27, 1879, occurred the sixth annual election, which resulted
as follows : J. J. Denny, W. M.; Samuel Van Gundy, S. W.; Alexander
Van Gundy, J. W.; James Scarlett. Treasurer, and S. P. Jewell, Secretary.
The seventh annual election, which was held December 27, 1880,
was as follows : M. Koons, W. M.; R. P. Hickman, S. W.; D. L. Wil-
liams, J. W.; James Scarlett, Treasurer, and J. J. Denny, Secretary.
CLARK TOWNSHIP. 725
The eighth annual election held December 27, 1881, resulted as fol-
lows : Samuel Van Gundy, W. M.; James A. Hunter, S. W.; John Sey-
mour, J. W. ; James Scarlett, Treasurer, and J. J. Denny, Secretary.
The lodge is in a prosperous condition, with a membership of forty-
six. The hall of this lodge occupies the second floor of a frame building,
erected in the town of Milton by John and Samuel Van Gundy, and
completed in the spring of 1874, at a cost of $3,300. The hall above,
which is the property of the lodge, cost them one-third of this amount.
It is 24x50 feet in extent, and has a twelve foot ceiling.
One the 19th day of November, 1867, the town of
MILTON
was laid out by John Van Gundy, Sr., and wife. On the 20th of Novem-
ber, 1870, there was filed in the circuit clerk's office of Atchison County
a plat of Van Gundy & Co.'s addition to the town of Milton, in the
northwest quarter of the northeast quarter of section 9, township 63,
range 40.
On the establishment of the town in 1867, Irish Grove post office
was moved from its location about a fourth of a mile distant, and its
name changed to Milton — that of the new town in which it was located.
The first postmaster appointed on this removal was C. C. Dragoo, a
native of Ohio, and an early settler of the township. He held the
office till 1868, when he was succeeded by A. Hill, a native of Virginia,
who moved in an early day from Saline County, Missouri, to what is
now Atchison County. Mr. Hill held the position till the year 1873,
when he was succeeded by the present (1882) postmaster, Samuel Van
Gundy, a native of Ohio and also a pioneer of this section of country.
A man by the name of Seymour made here in an early day the first
wagon built in the county. It was ironed by William Sickler, of Rock
Port.
In 1866 Danforth & Dragoo opened the first stock of goods on the
present site of Milton. On the laying out of the town in 1867 this firm
became Dragoo & Moore. In the following year A. Hill, the first post-
master appointed for Milton, opened a general store in the place. Hob-
litzell & Judd began business in general trade in 1869.
Faris & Foster, in 1874, opened the first drug store in the place.
In 1877 Zook & Jewell began to sell goods in the large store room
under the Masonic Hall, which was erected in 1874. This building cost
$3,000. This store room had previously been occupied by Denny Bros.
& Co., who opened their large stock there in 1874 on the first comple-
tion of the building.
The first blacksmith to work in Milton was Newt Lytle, who set up
his shop in the place in 1868. He afterwards moved' away. Luke
Lytle, a brother of his, is the present (1882) blacksmith.
726 HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
Nearly all the business of Milton has been moved to the new town
of Fairfax. The only store now left in the place is carried on by Wil-
liams & Neal.
The first physician established in Milton was Dr. J. L. Johnstun,
now a leading physician of Holt County, and located in the town of
Craig.
The school building of the town was erected in 1869, at a cost of
$1,200. It is a neat but plain frame building well adapted to the
demands of the district. The first who taught in this building was
Professor Amos Purdum, who began his labors in the same year in
which the building was completed.
The only church in Milton is the Methodist Episcopal. The building,
which is also a frame, was erected in 1870, at a cost of $1,500. The orig-
inal organizers of the congregation were John Van Gundy, Sr., Leah
Van Gundy, James Waits, Martha Little, M. A. Van Gundy, S. Van
Gundy, M. H. Van Gundy and some others. The first minister of this
church was the Rev. Mr. Thornton.
FAIRFAX.
The town of Fairfax was laid out in April, 1881, by Charles E. Per-
kins, on a part of the west half of the southeast quarter of section 22,
township 64, range 40.
It is one of the three towns which have had such a wonderful growth
since the completion of the Tarkio Valley Railroad through the county.
Like Westboro and Tarkio, it is beautifully situated on the east bank of
the Tarkio, ahd on the east side of the railroad, while they are located
on the west side. Of its location, the Fairfax Independent of February,
1882, says :
" Only nine short months have come and gone, since upon the ground
where the village of Fairfax is located, a field of corn was standing. Less
than one year has passed away since the first board was brought to Fair-
fax ; since the first nail was driven. Now we are a little city, full of life
and animation. Fairfax is located on the Tarkio Valley Railroad, just
midway between Corning and Tarkio, and about thirteen miles from
Rock Port, the county seat. The town is situated upon the east bank of
the Tarkio River, a beautiful little stream flowing into the " Mighty Mis-
souri," and on to the sea. Upon its banks we have often stood and in
our imagination listened to the whirr of the flouring mill we hope to see
erected there soon. The land upon which the town is built is a gradual
ascent back from the river. The business part of the town is at the base
of the slope and the residences are further back on the summit of the
hill. From this point the view is grand. We wish we were a landscape
painter and could paint it for you. To the north lies one wide expanse
of prairie divided only by the Tarkio River and its fertile valley, dotted '
here and there with good substantial farm houses. Looking toward the
south we watch the graceful winding of the river and the Tarkio Valley
CLARK TOWNSHIP. 727
Railroad, and, on in the distance, we can just descry the Missouri bluffs
in Nebraska: To the east we have^the rich upland of our country, well
advanced in improvement and prosperity, showing the neat and tidy
homes of the farmers. To the west we have Irish Grove, English Grove
and one or two others. From these groves we get our wood, and here,
too, you will find our oldest settlers. The scene the eye takes in from
this point is picturesque indeed. Our farmers are men who are enter
prising and energetic, most all owning their farms and being out of debt.
Our business men, we think, will compare favorably with those of any
town in Northwest Missouri. They are men who realize that upon them
depends the advancement and prosperity of our town. They are men
who have come intending to make this their future home and will not
hesitate to sacrifice both time and money to see Fairfax advance."
PIONEERS OF THE TOWN.
The first building erected in the place was put up by F. M. Lowe &
Co., who were also the first parties to receive an invoice of goods.
The first bill of lumber was taken to the town June 15, 1881, and
and the first bill of goods received on June 23d of that month.
Cowen & Hitt, W. R. Walkup & Brothers, and Benjamin Otti were
all early settlers.
CHURCHES.
The Presbyterian Church edifice in the town is not yet completed.
Other denominations, Christian, M. E. Church, South, and the M. E.
Church have organizations and contemplate building soon.
INCORPORATION OF FAIRFAX.
On the 9th day of November, 188 1, the town of Fairfax was incor-
porated as follows :
"Now at this day comes A. C. Hitt, L. D. Cowen, Benjamin Otti, T.
C. Smith, A. J. Hayes, J. T. Butler, C. C. Bievins. James Prater, James
A. Hunter, Frank M.Lowe, Muinch & Walkup, H. L. Allen, J. F. Ensley,
R. Gullany, Samuel Jewell, Charles D. Zook, W. L. Zook, Sam Nobs, M.
V. Neighbors, M. Coons, L. H. Walkup, W. T. Judson, J. L. Jones, James
Sedwick, R. Thompson, Nathan Baker, Zard Bievins, C. C. Ely, F. S.
Hanger, John Princehouse, Marion Thornton, T. A. Lininger, J. J. Denny
and George H. Cooper, inhabitants of the town of Fairfax, County of
Atchison and State of Missouri, and present their petition to the court,
praying that they may be incorporated and a police established for their
local government, and for the preservation and regulation of any com-
mons appertaining to said town, and the court being satisfied that two
thirds of the taxable inhabitants of said town have signed said petition,
and that the prayer of said petition is reasonable, it is therefore ordered
by this court that said town be, and the same is hereby incorporated, and
728 HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
that said incorporation shall 'embrace the following boundaries, to wit :
Situated upon the west half of the southeast fourth of section 22, town-
ship 64, range 40, as shown by recorded plat of said village, and the court
appoints the following named persons to constitute the first board of
trustees of said town, to act until the annual election for members of
said board, to wit : Lewis Muinch, Jordan J. Denny, James A. Hunter,
Frank M. Lowe and Samuel P. Jewell.
BUSINESS DIRECTORY.
Allen, H. L. & Co., general merchandise.
Baker, N. V., contractor and builder.
Beckett, William M., Railroad and U. S. Express Agent.
Bright, Thomas, city transfer.
Cowen & McCall, hardware.
Combs, George, painter.
Cooper, J. M., contractor and builder.
Denny, J. J., drugs and medicines.
Deuser Bros. & Co., hardware.
Green, William, boarding house.
Graham, Edward, blacksmith and wagonmaker.
Hunter & Butler, physicians and surgeons.
Hoblitzell Bros., lumber.
Jewell, S. P., postmaster.
Judson, W. T., painter.
Koons, Marion, boarding house. .
Lininger Bros., groceries.
Lowe, F. M., attorney at law and insurance agent.
Lawrence, W., contractor and builder.
Miller, Thomas, boots and shoes.
Neal, Arch., boarding house.
Neal & Brown, meat market.
Porter & Record, livery.
Punshon & Venon, furniture.
Sedwick, Walter & Co., general merchandise.
Sedwick, Walter & Co., stock and grain dealers.
Turner, James, hotel.
Thornton, M. N., physician and surgeon.
Thornton, J. T., drugs and medicines.
Walkup & Stouffer, general merchandise.
Walker & Perkins, saloon.
Wanger, F. S., harness shop.
Zook, Jewell & Emmert, general merchandise.
CLARK TOWNSHIP. 729
TOWN OFFICIALS.
S. P. Jewell, chairman of the board ; James A. Hunter, L. H. Muinch,
J. J. Denny, F. M. Lowe, trustees; Marion Koons, clerk; George
Lockey, marshal ; B. W. Sedwick, treasurer.
The population of the town is about 230.
NISHNEBOTNA.
The original proprietor of the town site of Nishnebotna, was Fred-
erick Volker, who in 1877 located the town on the northeast corner of
the southwest quarter of the southeast quarter of section 3, township 63,
range 41. It is on the line of the Kansas City, St. Joseph and Council
Bluffs railroad, nine miles south of Phelps City. It is about midway
between the bluffs on the east, and the Missouri River on the west, and
was entirely submerged by water during the overflow of 1881. H. Y.
Lemon, emigrated from Canada in 1868, and is the pioneer merchant of
the town, and was also the first postmaster.
O. A. Boapts was the second man to do business in the place. He
came from Pickaway County, Ohio, in 1855, and settled near the present
town site in the Missouri bottom, where he followed farming, until he
engaged in the mercantile business at Nishnebotna. A. J. Ritter located
there in 1878, establishing himself in general merchandise. He came
west at an early day from Vandalia, Indiana, about the year 1862, and
settled at St. Deroin, Nebraska, where he continued to reside until he
moved to Nishnebotna.
BUSINESS DIRECTORY.
t Boapts, O. A., general merchandise and postmaster.
Lemon, Henry Y., general merchandise.
Ritter, A. J., general merchandise.
The town contains a population of about twenty-five persons. It
has a brick school house, ( Benjamin Stoffar, teacher,) a depot building,
and one or two vacant business houses.
Among the early settlers of this part of the township, is Daniel
Groh, from Buchanan County, Missouri, George Snitker, from St. Louis,
S. A. Roundtree, from Kentucky, John D. Campbell, from Virginia,
Thomas Christian, from East Tennessee, and August Bertram, from
Germany.
COAL.
In the west half of the northeast quarter of section 15, township
64, range 40, about one mile and a half north of the town of Fairfax, in
Clark Township, is what is believed to be a deposit of coal. This prop-
73° • HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
erty is owned by a company organized in the fall of 1881. The mem-
bers of the company are John J. C. Hays, L. K. Hutton, Bird Rice,
Alfred Rice and S. L. Boyd.
They are all, with the exception of the latter, from Imogene, Iowa.
Induced by the appearance of an out-cropping vein about eight inches
in diameter, they have sunk a shaft to the depth of fifty feet, but so far
have failed to meet with any encouraging success.
-^\^ is— §^&pti— eT^1
Sbiograph ical*
>Of-S®>o
HENRY R. ANDERSON,
section 23, was born in Mercer County, New Jersey, August 21, 1817.
Joshua Anderson, his father, and his mother, formerly Mary Clark, were
also natives of that state. Henry R. was raised on a farm and received
his education in the common schools and at Trenton Academy. He
afterwards learned the carpenter's trade, at Princeton, New Jersey. In
1837 he came west, locating at Alton, Illinois, where he was engaged at
the carpenter business for three years, and in the fall of 1841 he moved
to Mount Pleasant, Iowa, working at his trade there for some six years.
He was there married, on the 12th of April, 1843, to Miss Eliza Jane
McCord, daughter of William McCord. She was born in Kentucky,
December 10, 1820. Mr. and Mrs. A. have three children : Mary I. (wife
of A. Bigley), born August 27, 1847 ; Martha Virginia, born September
10, 1859 5 Lewis Wallace, born July 5, 1862. In 1848 the subject of this
sketch moved from Mount Pleasant to Keokuk, Iowa, and resided there,
working at his trade, for about five years. In the spring of 1853 he left
his family in Iowa and went overland to California, where he was inter-
ested in mining and carpentering for three years, after which he returned
to Iowa, in the fall of 1856. In the spring of 1857 he moved to Cass
County, Nebraska, and was there engaged in farming and working at
his chosen calling until the fall of 1871, when he came to Atchison
County, Missouri, settling in Clark Township. He has lived on his pres-
ent place seven years and now has a farm of forty acres, all in cultiva-
tion, with a young bearing orchard of 200 apple trees, besides peach,
cherry, plum and pear trees. Mrs. Anderson is a member of the Cum-
berland Presbyterian Church.
CLARK TOWNSHIP. 731
JOHN W. BECK,
section 5, one of the leading farmers of Clark Township, was born in
Rowan County, North Carolina, January 5, 1815. His parents were Samuel
and Mary (Wells) Beck, the former a native of Maryland, and the latter
of Delaware. In 18 15 the family moved to Indiana, settling in Wayne
County. John W. Beck spent his youth on a farm, and attended the
common district schools. He was married in Union County, Indiana,
in December, 1845, to Miss Elizabeth Rush, daughter of Jacob and Sarah
Rush. She was born in Union County, Indiana, March 17, 1824. Mr.
and Mrs. B. have raised ten children, nine of whom are living — Sarah E.,
(wife of Drury Roberts), born December 24, 1847 ; Mary W., born May
12, 1849; Lysander, born July 15, 1851 ; Harriet M., born January 24,
1853, died March 2, 1877 ; Elizabeth A., born September 6, 1854 ; Nicander
M., born December 15, 1856; Hamlin P., born July 29, 1859; John L.,
born October 26, i860; Emma J., born May 9, 1863; Martha H., born
August 8, 1866. The subject of this sketch resided in Wayne County,
Indiana, until 1864, when he moved to Missouri, locating in Clark Town-
ship, Atchison County, on his present farm, where he has since lived.
He owns 320 acres of land, all fenced, good improvements and an orchard
of apple, peach, cherry, plum and pear trees being upon the place. Mr.
Beck is a member of the Masonic fraternity.
WILLIAM A. BOWER
is a native of Howard County, Indiana, and was born May 22, 1848. His
father, H. A. Bower, was born March 4, 1821, in Clarke, County, Indiana,
as was also his mother, whose maiden name was Catherine B. Allhands,
the date of her birth being August 29, 1822. In 1849 the family moved
to Mason County, Illinois, where they resided until 1865, then going to
Des Moines County, Iowa. They remained in Iowa five years, and
then, in 1870, removed to Wayne County, where they made their home
until they came to Atchison County, Missouri, in 1872, settling in Clark
Township. The youth of William A. B. was spent in the common
schools, and he afterwards attended the Havanna High School. After
leaving school he engaged in farming. He was married in Wayne
County, Iowa, September 8, 1870, to Miss Mary E. Lewis, who was born
in Mason County, Illinois, August 7, 185 1. They have a family of four
children : Norvil O, born November 11, 1871 ; Cora O., born September
1, 1873 ; Lloyd F., born November 3, 1875, and Floyd M., born Febru-
ary 29, 1877. Mr. B. has 120 acres of land, all improved, with a young
orchard. He resides on section 35, township 64, range 40.
CHRISTOPHER C. BLEVINS.
Among the young men of worth and ability in Fairfax is C. C.
Blevins, who was born in the vicinity of Fairfax, August 19, 1859.
732 HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
Daniel M. Blevins, his father, was born in Jackson County, Missouri,
and his mother, whose maiden name was Margaret C. Sandy, was a
native of Indiana. Daniel Blevin, Sr., the grandfather of Christopher,
was one of the pioneers of this county, and settled in Clark Township
in 1840 on the same farm where C. C. was afterwards born. The sub-
ject of this sketch was reared as a farmer and received some advantages
for acquiring a common school education. When sixteen years old he
entered the High School at Rock Port, where he attended for two
years. In September, 1877, he engaged in teaching, which profession
he followed for eight months. He then went into the employ of J.
J. Denny, at Milton, in the summer of 1878 as clerk and bookkeeper.
In September, 1881, he accompanied his employer to Fairfax. Mr.
Blevins is an excellent penman and bookkeeper besides being a prac-
tical druggist and pharmacist.
JAMES A. CAMPBELL,
section 26, was born in Virginia, on the 10th of October, 1828, and was
the son of John D. and Hardenia (Blunt) Campbell, who were both Vir-
ginians by birth. In 1833 the family removed to Missouri and settled in
Cooper County, where they lived for three years, going thence to Mor-
gan County, in the spring of 1837. The subject of this sketch was reared
on a farm, but had limited opportunities for acquiring an education. In
the fall of 1849 he moved from Morgan to Atchison County and settled
in Clark Township and for thirteen years has lived on his present place.
Mr. C. is one of the leading farmers and stock feeders of this portion of
the county and now owns 520 acres of land, all fenced, with good improve-
ments and a young bearing orchard of 300 trees. He has some good
graded stock and makes a specialty of handling and feeding cattle. He
was married in this county, in February, 1859, to Miss Ann DeWitt,
daughter of William DeWitt. They had by this union one daughter,
Mary H., who was born February 1, i860. Mrs. Campbell died in
November, 1877. Mr. C. was again married May 14, 1878, to Mrs. Nancy
Jane Marshall, who was born in Bates County, Missouri, September 1,
1842. They have one child, James A., born October 3, 1879. Mrs.
Campbell has two children by a former marriage, Beulah, born Septem-
ber 13, 1869, and L. E. Marshall, born May 14, 1872. Mr. and Mrs. C.
are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. In the spring of
1852 Mr. C. took a trip to California, where he remained two .years. With
this exception he has been in the county for thirty-two years.
ANTHONY C. CHRISTIAN
was born in East Tennessee, May 2, 1822. Charles E. Christian, his
father, and mother, formerly Miss Mary Ann Doughty, were born in
CLARK TOWNSHIP. 733
Cocke County, Tennessee. In 1852, the family moved to Missouri, and
located in Clark Township, Atchison County, being among the first set-
tlers of the county. The subject of this sketch spent his youth on a farm,
obtaining a limited education at the subscription schools. He was mar-
ried in Tennessee in January, 1843, to Miss Sarah B. Walsh. Mr. Chris-
tian has four children by this marriage : Adaline E., (wife of David Mur-
phy) born December 27, 1843 ; John W., born December 15, 1845 ; Eliza-
beth M., (wife of Wm. Edington) born September 13, 1848 ; Mary E.,
born April 20, 1852, and died April 5, 1875. Mrs. Christian died in Ten-
nessee, August 15, 1862. Mr. Christian was again married in Tennessee,
April 24, 1864, to Miss Martha J. Murphy, who was born in Carter County,
Tennessee, August 15, 1841. In the spring of 1866, he settled in Clark
Township. He mo^ed upon his present farm in the spring of 1871, and
now has 133 acres of land, with 90 acres improved, having a good house
and small young bearing orchard. Mr. and Mrs. Christian have two
children : Sarah A., born February 19, 1865 ; Gustus H., born April 21,
1872. He resides in section 27, township 64, range 40, and is one of the
most enterprising farmers of the community.
ROBERT E. CHRISTIAN,
a leading man of this township, and one of the pioneers of the county,
was born in Cocke County, East Tennessee, October 25, 1829, and was
the son of Thomas E. and Mary Ann (Doughty) Christian, who were
also natives of Tennessee. In 1852 the family moved to Missouri, locat-
ing in Atchison County, being among the early settlers of this county.
Robert received a common school education, and grew to manhood on a
farm. He was married in East Tennessee, January 9, i86i,to Miss Mary
Jane Holdeway, daughter of William Holdeway. She was born in Cocke
County, Tennessee. Mr. Christian settled on his present farm in 1868,
and has since been engaged in farming, though he is also interested in
the stock and grain business. He has eighty acres of land, all improved,
upon which is a good dwelling and a young orchard, his place being
located on section 3, township 63, range 41. His residence is at Nishne-
botna Station. Mr. and Mrs. Christian have seven children — William
T., born October 8, 1861 ; Sarah E., born in 1867 ; Olive Maud, born
February 6, 1869; Wayne S., born September 21, 1871 ; Elmer E., born
February 5, 1872 ; Flora N., born March 20, 1876; Lulie E., born Feb-
ruary 5, 1882. Mrs. Christian is a member of the Cumberland Presby-
terian Church. Mr. C. belongs to the I. O. O. F. fraternity.
ISAAC N. CURRY,
section 18, was one of the early settlers, and has long been numbered
among the prominent men of this township. He was born in Monroe
734 HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
County, West Virginia, August 21, 1827, his parents, James and Eliza-
beth N. Curry, both being natives of the same locality. Isaac was reared
in Greenbrier County, his youth being spent on a farm and in attending
the subscription schools. He subsequently entered the High School at
Blue Sulphur Springs. On the 1st of September, 1853, occurred the
marriage of Mr. Curry to Miss Mary K. Youel, a daughter of James G.
W. Youel. She was born in Rockbridge County, Virginia, April 30,
1849. Mr. and Mrs. C. have a family of five children : J. A. Youel, born
January 16, 1857 ; Walter W., born August 3, 1858 ; Ida H. (wife of S.
P. Jewell, of Fairfax), born August 23, i860; Lillie N., born May 19,
1862, and I. Houston, born August 20, 1863. Mr. Curry has one adopted
son, A. Wallace Crawford, who was born January 16, 1858. In 1856 the
subject of this brief narrative removed from Virginia to Missouri and
located in Atchison County. He was one of the pioneers in this por-
tion of the country, and now has in his possession 200 acres of land, all
fenced and improved, and with a good orchard. Mr. and Mrs. Curry
are members of the Presbyterian Church, South.
WILLIAM N. CURRY,
was born in Greenbrier County, West Virginia, August 16, 1838. James
Curry, his father, and his mother, formerly Ruth Anderson, were both
born in Virginia ; the former died in Greenbrier County, West Virginia,
May 8, 1880, in the eighty-first year of his age. William was brought
up a farmer and was educated in the common subscription schools. In
1861, he entered into the Confederate army, enlisting in the Third Vir-
ginia Infantry. After serving in the regiment one year, he became a
member of the Sixtieth Virginia Infantry, and served until the close of
the war. He participated in numerous important engagements, among
which were Mechanicsville, Cold Harbor, Frazier's Farm, Malvern Hill,
Cedar Mountain, Piedmont, and others. After the war he, returned to
Greenbrier County, and until 1868, was engaged in farming and carpen-
tering, at the expiration of which period he came to Missouri, locating in
Tarkio Township, Atchison County, in 1870, and on his present farm in
section 23, in the spring of 1872. Mr. C. owns 160 acres of land in his
home place, all improved, and upon it is a fair residence and young
orchard of 200 apple trees, besides other varieties of fruit. He was mar-
ried in Greenbrier County, Virginia, February 2, 1870, to Miss Julia M.
Bright, daughter of Jesse and Margaret Bright. She was born in that
county, February 20, 1848. They have five children : Arthur Lee, born
November 30, 1870; Maggie Ruth, born September 30, 1873; Jennie
May, born January 12, 1875 ; James Bright, born November 8, 1879, and
Thomas Henry, born April 8, 188 1. Mr. and Mrs. Curry are members
of the Old School Presbyterian Church. Mr. Curry has upon his place
CLARK TOWNSHIP. 735
some fine thoroughbred short horn cattle, and is greatly interested in
handling and feeding stock.
J. J. DENNY
was born February 13, 1846, in Washington County, Indiana. His
father, Christopher H. Denny, and also his mother, formerly Phoebe
Wright, were natives of the same county. His grandfather, John
Wright, was one of the pioneer preachers of Washington County, Indi-
ana. His uncle, Jacob Wright, was one of the pioneer preachers of this
county and one of the ablest debaters of his day. The subject of this
sketch was raised on a farm and received a common school education.
At the age of eighteen years he went- into military service, enlisting in
the Fifth Indiana Cavalry in February, 1864, in which he served until
the close of the war. While in the service he participated in numerous
engagements among which were the important battles of Chattanooga,
Ringgold, Dalton, Resaca, Kenesaw Mountain, Atlanta and several
others. After the war he returned to Indiana and remained there some
two years, attending school at May's Seminary, located at Salem, Indi-
ana. March, 1867, he came to Missouri and settled in Holt County,
near Oregon, where he lived until the fall of 1870, engaged most of the
time in teaching. In the spring Mr. Denny entered the store of B. B.
Frazer & Co., at Mound City, as clerk, and in the fall of the same year
he was employed in the same business with Dr. Taylor, who, at time
was carrying on a mercantile trade at Graham, in Nodaway County. In
March he formed a partnership with J. L. Gomel & Co., and was
engaged in the general merchandise business at Graham until April,
1872. Shortly after leaving Graham he bought an interest in the firm of
Denny Bros., at Corning, and was in business at this place two years.
In May, 1874, he moved his stock of goods to Milton and has since been
a resident of Atchison County. Mr. Denny bought the first business lot
offered for sale in Fairfax, erected a store building and has since been
engaged in the drug business. He was married in Mound City, Mis-
souri, March 23, 1871, to Miss Mary A. Hoover, daughter of Peter
Hoover. Mrs. Denny was born in Indiana April 29, 185 1. They have
five children : Iola Ethel, born February 7, 1872 ; Eula May, born June
30, 1874 ; Essie Beatrice, born September 4, 1876 ; Harry Hoover, born
December 18, 1878, and Otto Clifton, born July 29, 188 1. Mr. and Mrs.
Denny are members of the Christian Church. Mr. D. belongs to both
the Odd Fellows and Masonic orders. He is a Republican in politics
and was nominated and elected by his party as one of the county
judges in the fall of 1878, serving for one term.
736 HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
CHRISTOPHER C. DRAGOO,
section 2, was born in Brown County, Ohio, October 28, 1840. Milton
Dragoo, his father, was born in the same county, and his mother, whose
maiden name was Mary Parker, was a native of Adams County, Ohio.
C. C. Dragoo was raised on a farm and was educated in the common
schools. He enlisted in the army December 3, 1861, in Company
F., Seventieth Ohio infantry, and was in the service nine months, being
honorably discharged September 5, 1862. After being discharged, he
returned to Brown County, where he remained till July, 1863, when he
came to Atchison County, Missouri, settling in Ciay Township. He
bought a place with his brother, and engaged in farming, and in March,
1877, came on to his present farm in Clark Township. Mr. D. has 240
acres of land, all fenced, with 160 acres improved. He has a young
orchard of 130 apple, 100 peach and some cherry, pear and plum trees,
besides small fruits. Mr. Dragoo was married February 23, 1865, to
Miss Needels, daughter of E. S. and Sarah Needels. She was born in
Atchison County, Missouri, September 7, 1846. They have five children
living — Edward S., born January 12, 1866 ; Una Belle, born November
21, 1867 ; John F., born December 15, 1869 ; Daniel C, born October 30,
1870 ; Etna M., born September 17, 1873. Two are deceased. Mr.
Dragoo makes a business of dealing in and feeding stock.
JAMES M. DUNLAP,
one of Clark Township's pioneers, and a man highly respected, was born
February 7, 1833, in Virginia, his parents, John and Isabella A. (North)
Dunlap, both being Virginians by birth. James grew to manhood on a
farm in Greenbrier County, receiving his primary education in the com-
mon schools, and afterwards attending the Lewisburg Academy. He
first moved to Missouri in 1854, and settled on his present farm, where
he lived for five years, after which, in 1859, ne returned to Virginia. In
that state he resided until the winter of 1874, when he returned to his
farm in Clark Township, in this county. His place consists of 140 acres
of land, all fenced, and upon it is a good orchard of all varieties of fruit.
Mr. Dunlap's marriage to Miss Malinda E. Payne occurred April 14,
1854, in Bath County, Virginia. She is the daughter of Lewis Payne, of
that locality, and was there born on the 19th of November, 1836. Mr.
and Mrs. Dunlap have four children : Mary L. R. (wife of B. W. Sedwick,
of Fairfax) born October 3, 1856; Mildred I., born October 22, i860;
John N., born October 11, 1867, and Lewis P., born December 19, 1869.
Mr. and Mrs. D. are members of the Old School Presbyterian Church,
and the former belongs to the Masonic order. He resides on section 29,
township 64, range 40.
CLARK TOWNSHIP. 737
EDWARD FELLOWS,
section II, was born in Dodge County, Wisconsin, November 10, 1846.
Isaac Fellows, his father, was born in New Hampshire, and his mother,
Margaret (Elmore) Fellows, was a native of Canada. In 1849 the family
moved to Waukesha County, Wisconsin, and subsequently came to
Missouri, settling in Andrew County in the spring of 1865. The subject
of this sketch was raised on a farm, and was educated in the public
schools, supplemented by one term attendance at the Savannah graded
school. Mr. Fellows was married in Andrew County, Missouri, March
23, 1871, to Miss Louisa Miller, daughter of Allen D. and Mary Miller.
She was born in Andrew County, Missouri, April 10, 1849. They have
five children : Alma M., born August 10, 1872 ; Allen D., born April 9,
1874 ; Edward, born November 10, 1876 ; Maggie M., born October 22,
1880, and Pearl, born March 14, 188 1. In 1873 Mr. F. moved from
Andrew to Nodaway County, where he was engaged in handling stock
and farming for four years. In 1877 he came to Atchison County and
settled in Clark Township. He now has a fine farm of 240 acres of
land, all fenced and improved, with a fair house and a good young
orchard. Mr. Fellows makes a specialty of handling and feeding stock.
He and his wife are members of the Christian Church.
JOHN H. FELLOWS,
a native of Waukesha County, Wisconsin, was born May 10, 1852, and is
the son of Isaac and Margaret (Elmore) Fellows. The former was born
in New Hampshire, and the latter was a Canadian by birth. In 1865,
the family removed from Wisconsin to Missouri, and settled in Andrew
County. The youthful days of John H. were passed on a farm, he for-
tunately obtaining a common school education. During the year 1872,
he worked at the tinner's trade in Savannah. May 8, 1878, he was united
in marriage in Andrew County Missouri, with Miss Lida Condon, daugh-
ter of Harrison and Elizabeth Condon. She was born on the 8th of May,
1858, in Savannah. Mr. and Mrs. Fellows have one child, Freddie, born
December 24, 1880. In the spring of 1874, Mr. F. moved from Andrew to
Nodaway County, and was there occupied in tilling the soil for four years.
In the fall of 1878, he again chose another location, and came to Atchi-
son County, settling in Clark Township. His farm contains 200 acres of
land, all improved, situated in section 15. He is largely interested in
feeding stock, in which he also deals, to a greater or less extent.
JOHN W. GRAVES,
a native of Atchison County, Missouri, was born June 27, 1847. William
E. Graves, his father, as also his mother, formerly Edna Saunders, were
738 HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
born in Kentucky. The subject of this sketch was raised in this county
on a farm, and was educated in the common schools. He was married
May 20, 1869, to Miss Rebecca Angel, daughter of Thomas and Ann
Angel. She was born in Clay County, Missouri. Mr. and Mrs. Graves
have four children : Carrie, born February 29, 1873 ; Ora, born July 26,
1876 ; Richard G., born November 27, 1874, and an infant daughter, born
March 17, 1882. Mr. Graves came on his present farm in May, 1870.
He has 250 acres of land in section 35, township 64, range 40, all fenced
and mostly in cultivation, with a young bearing orchard of 200 apple
trees, and other fruit. He at present handles and feeds large quantities
of stock. Mr. and Mrs. Graves are members of the Cumberland Presby-
terian Church.
HIRAM HACKLER,
was born in Linn County, Missouri, July 3, 1847. David Hackler, his
father, was born in Green County, and his mother, Matilda Golden, was
a native of Grayson County, Virginia. In 1850, the family moved from
Linn to Atchison County, and settled on the Missouri River bottom,
near Phelps. The subject of this sketch was raised in Atchison County,
on a farm, and received but a very limited education in the district
school. He moved to his present farm, in Clark Township, in the spring
of 1872, and this place he has improved himself. It contains eighty acres
of land, with a fair house and a fine young orchard of apple, peach and
cherry trees. Mr. Hackler was married October 16, 1870, to Miss Mary
Beck, daughter of John W. and Elizabeth Beck. She was born in Wayne
County, Indiana, May 12, 1849. Mr. and Mrs. Hackler have four chil-
dren : David, born March 15, 1872; Elizabeth H., born June 2, 1876;
John, born October 27, 1877 ; Ernest, born June 14, 1880. Mr. and Mrs.
Hackler are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Mr. H.
is Democratic in politics.
GEORGE P. HAWKINS,
section 2, was born in Saline County, Missouri, November 18, 1833, and
was the son of Reuben Hawkins, who was a native of Virginia. In 1844
the family moved to Atchison County, and settled in Clark Township.
George P. was raised on a farm and was educated in the common schools.
He was married in Atchison County, April 24, 1859, to Miss Mary J.
Farmer, daughter of Joshua Farmer. She was born in Iowa, Febiuary
22, 1843. Mr. Hawkins has one daughter, Mary P., born March 24, 1865.
Mrs. Hawkins died May 12, 1865, and Mr. H. was again married April
12, 1869, to Mrs. Henrietta C. Hawkins, daughter of William Minter.
This lady was born in Virginia, February 8, 1833. By this union they
have two children, Charles P., born January 3, 1870, and Marinda A.>
CLARK TOWNSHIP. 739
born January 31, 1872. In 1859 Mr. Hawkins moved to Nebraska, and
after living there some three years, he returned to Atchison County. He
has been on his present place eight years, and now has eighty acres of
land, improved, and an orchard of assorted fruit. Mr. Hawkins is a
member of the Masonic order. In his political preferences, he is a Dem-
ocrat. Mrs. H. is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.
DANIEL J. HENDRICK
was born in the state of Ohio, March 13, 1843. His father, Jabez Hen-
drick, was born in Massachusetts in 1813, and his mother, Amanda M.
(Abbey) Hendrick, was born in the state of New York in 1818. In 1853
the family moved to Henry County, Illinois. D. J. Hendrick was raised
on a farm, attending the common schools. In 1863 he enlisted in the
army and served as a soldier until the close of the war. He first
enlisted in Company H, One Hundred and Thirty-fourth Illinois Infantry,
and served five months, after which he was honorably discharged. He
again enlisted in Company A, One Hundred and Twenty-fourth Illinois
Infantry, and was afterwards transferred to Company A, Thirty-third
Illinois Infantry. He was in the engagement of Spanish Fort, which
lasted thirteen days and nights, and, after being discharged, he returned
to Henry County, where he remained till the fall of 1869 engaged in
farming. At that time he came to Missouri and located in Clark Town-
ship. Mr. Hendrick has eighty acres of good land, all improved, with a
fine young orchard. He resides on section II, township 64, range 40.
He was married in Knox County, Illinois, October 20, 1868, to Miss
Mariah Cadwell, daughter of George and Sallie M. Cadwell. She was
born in Knox County, Illinois, December 10, 1843. Mr. and Mrs. Hen-
drick have four children : Lucy M., born October 31, 1869 ; Carrie M.,
born October 11, 1871 ; Everett D., born October 21, 1878, and Ira,
born December 23, 1880. Mr. Hendrick is Republican in politics.
1
PETER A. HILL,
section 1, was born January 12, 1836, in Prince Edward County, Vir-
ginia. His parents, James and Martha (Weston) Hill, were born in the
same state. In 1837 the family m >ved to Missouri and settled in Saline
County, from whence, after living ten years, they came to Atchison
County, in 1847, and located in Clark Township. Peter A. Hill was mar-
ried March 3, 1867, to Miss Grace W. Jones, who was born in Holt County,
Missouri, February 9, 1849. Mr. and Mrs. Hill have had seven children,
four of whom are now living : William A., born July 13, 1868 ; Herbert,
born August 16, 1873 ; Izetta, born November 12, 1877 ; Lillie Myrta,
born July 1, 1880. After his marriage Mr. Hill settled in Clay Town-
740 HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
ship, where he resided some eleven years, moving to Clark Township, on
his present place, in 1878. He has 240 acres of land, nearly all fenced,
with 160 acres in his home place, and 80 acres in another tract, in Clay
Township. He has on his farm a young and thrifty orchard. The sub-
ject of this sketch was raised on a farm and had very limited means for
an education in youth. What he now owns has been obtained by his
own industry. Mr. and Mrs. Hill are members of the Baptist Church.
JAMES A. HUNTER, M. D.,
a prominent practitioner of this county, was born in the vicinity of
Rock Port, August 16, 1850. James Hunter, his father, and also his
mother, whose maiden name was Elizabeth McKay, were born in Scot-
land, and his grandparents early emigrated from Scotland and settled
in Nova Scotia, when his parents were children. In 1847 they came to
the United States and settled in Atchison County, near Rock Port, being
among the very first settlers of the county. James A. spent his youth
on his father's farm and attended for a time the common schools. At
the age of eighteen years he went to Macon County and entered the
McGee College, where he spent three years. In the fall of 1871 he
engaged in teaching, which profession he followed one year. In the
fall of 1872 he began the study of medicine, at Rock Port, with Dr. J. L.
Tracy. In the winters of 1873 and 1874 he attended lectures at the St.
Louis Medical College, and also in the winters of 1874 and 1875, gradu-
ating from this institution in February, 1875. The doctor soon com-
menced the practice of his profession at Milton, Atchison County, and
there he remained and practiced six years, moving to Fairfax in the fall
of 1881, and the winter following attended lectures at the Bellevue Hos-
pital College, and was also graduated from this institution. The sub-
ject of this sketch was married in Milton, February 29, 1876, to Miss
Amanda Graves, daughter of J. P. and Ann Graves. She was born in
Kentucky. Doctor and Mrs. Hunter have three children : Owen, Zetta
and James Don. Mrs. Hunter is a member of the Cumberland Presby-
terian Church. The doctor belongs to the Masonic fraternity.
JAMES T. HURST,
was born on the 2d of May, 1841, and is a native of Pickaway County,
Ohio. His parents, William E. and Charlotte Hurst, nee Duvall, were
a'so born in the same county. In 1843, tne family left Pickaway for
Fayette County, and there they made their home for thirteen years.
In 1856, they moved to Clark Coun'y, Missouri, but after living there
one year, came to Atchison County, and in 1857 or 1858, settled in
Clark Township. The youthful days of James T. were passed on a
CLARK TOWNSHIP. 74I
(arm. He received but a limited education. September 13, 1864, he
was married in this county to Miss Flavilla Kimball, who was bcrn in
Indiana, October 22, 1846. She died October 20, 1880, leaving a family
of seven children : William H., Hattie Belle, Sarah Florence, John T.,
Charlotta, Ernest G., and Emma Villa. In 1865, Mr. Hurst moved upon
his present farm, which consists of 160 acres in his home place, besides
80 acres in another tract. A good orchard, with a variety of small fruit,
adorns the place. In the fall of 1861, he enlisted in the army, and was
in the state service for six months. In the spring of 1862, he re-enlisted
in the Fifth Missouri Cavalry, receiving his discharge in 1863. He was
once wounded, at Lime Creek, Missouri, in August, 1862. Mr. Hurst. was
one of the pioneers of this county, and is widely and favorably known.
SAMUEL P. JEWELL.
Among the prominent business men of Fairfax, is S. P. Jewell, of
the firm of Zook, Jewell & Emmert. He was born in Union County,
Ohio, March 8, 1840, and is the son of Johnson and Martha J. (Sketo)
Jewell. The youth of the subject of this sketch was spent on a farm
and in attending the common schools. When in his nineteenth year he
came to Missouri and engaged in the stock business in Cooper County,
from whence he removed to Clinton, Illinois, where he continued the
stock business one year. In July, 1861, he enlisted in the Forty-first
Illinois infantry, and served for three years, being discharged at Spring-
field, Illinois, August 24, 1864. /He participated in numerous engage-
ments during his service, among which were the battles of Fort Donelson
Shiloh, sieges of Corinth and Vicksburg, and at Atlanta. After the war
Mr. J. returned to Missouri and located in Cooper County, where he
resumed stock dealing. In 1868 he left there and moved to Holt County,
locating at Oregon, where he was engaged in the mercantile business
for about four years. In 1872 he settled in Mound City, where he con-
tinued in business until 1877, when he cameto Milton, Atchison County.
After following the same branch of trade here for five years, he moved
to his present location. Mr. Jewell was married in Oregon, Missouri,
March 24, 1870, to Miss Louis'a Von Lunden, daughter of Charles Von
Lunden. She died April 29, 1874. Mr. J. was again married November
26, 1878, to Miss Ida S. Curry, daughter of Isaac N. Curry. She was
born August 23, i860. Mr. Jewell has three children — a son, Charles R.,
by his first marriage, and Wilson Curry Jewell and Grace G. They are
members of the Old School Presbyterian Church, and Mr. J. belongs to
the Masonic and I. O. O. F. lodges.
GEORGE JOHNSTON,
a native of Porter County, Indiana, was born January 9, 1836. Jesse
Johnston, his father, was born in Virginia, but was reared in Ohio. His
742 HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY,
mother's maiden name was Rebecca Pickett. In the winter of 1856 our
subject came to Missouri, then being but twenty years of age, and stopped
one winter in Holt County, coming to Atchison County in the spring of
1857. He was an early settler here and has since been a resident of the
county. Mr. J. was married in Atchison County, Missouri, January 9,
1859, to Miss Mary J. Hurst, daughter of James Hurst. She was born in
Pickaway County, Ohio, October 6, 1840. Mr. and Mrs. Johnston have
two children living: Lemon D., born November 10, 1859, and Walter C,
born August 19, 1873. One child, Ellsworth, who was born November
14, 1867, died September 26, 1875. After his marriage Mr. J. settled in
Clark Township, and, in February, 1873, moved upon his present farm.
He owns seventy-three acres of land, with thirty-eight acres in his home
place, which is well improved with a fair house, excellent barn and young
orchard of 325 apple trees. He resides on section 2, township 63, range
41. Mrs. Johnston is a member of the Methodist Church. He belongs
to the Masonic order.
HENRY LEMON,
the leading merchant of Nishnebotna Station, was born in Canada, May
I-, 1829. Samuel Lemon, his father, and his mother, Elizabeth (Sov-
ereign) Lemon, were also Canadians by birth. In 1842, they moved to
Ohio, but only remained in that state for one year, after which they
returned to Canada. Henry passed his younger days on a farm and in
a blacksmith shop, his education being obtained in the common schools
of Canada. His marriage to Miss Sarah Ann Jarvis occurred on the 27th
of April, 1857, in his narive country. Mrs. Lemon was born in Canada,
March 18, 1835. They have a family of six children : Sarah Ann, (wife
of William Simering, born February 14, 1858 ; William H., born May
5, 1859 ; Mary Levina, born January 20, 1861 ; Lewis L., born February
11, 1864 ; Eliza E., born September 24, 1869, and Harriet E., born Feb-
ruary 9, 1875. In 1840, the subject of this sketch moved to the United
States and soon came to Atchison County, Missouri, where he opened
the pioneer store at Nishnebotna Station. In 1871, he, himself, built the
store which he has since occupied.
AMOS B. LININGER,
was born on the 31st of March, 1847, and is a native of . Mercer County,
Pennsylvania. His parents, Joseph Lininger and wife, were also born
in Pennsylvania. The subject of this narative grew to manhood on a
farm in his native county, and attended for some time the common
schools. In 1867, he came west, and for a period was located in Wis-
consin and Iowa. For about eighteen months he was in Fillmore,
Andrew County, Missouri, engaged in working at the blacksmith trade,
CLARK TOWNSHIP. 743
after which he returned to Pennsylvania. In 1872, he again came to
Missouri, and for one summer followed his trade in Milton, going from
there to Rock Port in November, 1872. He was occupied in his chosen
calling until March, 1874, when he moved to his farm in Clark Town-
ship. In the spring following he moved to his present place, which con-
sists of 160 acres of land, all fenced, with eighty acres improved, and an
orchard of 200 apple, 100 peach, and other fruit trees. He resides on
section 23, township 64, range 40. Mr. Lininger was married in Atchi-
son County, Missouri, March 3, 1874, to Miss Lydia Seymour, daughter
of Leander and Lizzie Seymour. She was born in this county July 8,
1856. Mr. and Mrs. L. have two children: Elmer, born April 1, 1876,
and Jesse Lee, born August 27, 1877. Mr. Lininger makes a specialty
of handling and feeding stock.
DOUGAL McCALL,
a prominent man of this portion of the country, was born in St. Law-
rence County, New York, April 8, 1835, and is the son of Dougal and
Jane McCall, who were also natives of that state. In 1839 the family
moved to Michigan, -settling in Kalamazoo. The youth of Dougal
McCall, Jr., was passed in attending the common schools and also at the
Kalamazoo College, where he received a liberal education. At the age
of nineteen years he became engaged in teaching, which profession, in
connection with farming, he has since continued to follow. In August,
1862, he enlisted in the Seventy-second Illinois Infantry, known as the
First Board of Trade Regiment, and was in service for nearly three
years. He participated, with his command, in numerous important
engagements on or near the Mississippi River. At Natchez he met with
a severe accident, though fortunately escaped with his life. He fell a
distance of fifty-seven feet, breaking both arms and otherwise bruising
him. After returning from the army he was in the employ of the Gov-
ernment, at Leavenworth, Kansas,, for two years. While in that city
Mr. McCall was married, February 10, 1867, to Miss Margaret Jane Mark,
who was born in Buchanan County, Missouri. After his mariage Mr.
McCall settled in Cass County, Missouri, where he resided seven years,
coming thence to Clark Township, Atchison County, in 1874. He has
since been occupied in farming and teaching. In April, 1882, he pur-
chased a hardware store at Fairfax, and is at present engaged in this
business, meeting with good success. He is the Greenback orator of the
county, and during the last campaign advocated the principles of his
party, speaking at numerous places in the district. Mr. McCall is the
present county school commissioner, having been appointed in 1881.
He has a family of eight children, all boys : Mark R., Frank A., William
M., Hugh W., Edward D., Fred H., Tiberias and Charles Bruce. He and
his wife are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.
m
744 HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
GEORGE OLDFIELD,
farmer and stock raiser, was born in England November 7, 1840, his
father, John Oldfield, and his mother, formerly Anna Field, also being
natives of that country. In the fall of 1847 the family emigrated to the
United States and settled in Du Page County, Illinois, where George
was raised on a farm, he receiving the benefits of a common school
education. In the fall of 1871 he left Du Page County and came to
Atchison County, Missouri, settling in Clark Township. He now owns
120 acres, all fenced, with a good dwelling and an orchard of seventy
apple and fifty peach trees, besides other fruit. In connection with
farming Mr. Oldfield is largely interested in raising and feeding stock.
He was married October 27, 1866, in Du Page County, Illinois, to Miss
Julia Kendall, daughter of Edward Kendall. She was born in New
York State, March 29, 1844. Mr. and Mrs. O. have two children living:
Minnie, born August 27, 1868, and Ula Belle, born June 8, 1881. One
is deceased. Mrs. O. is a member of the Baptist Church. He is Repub-
lican in politics.
THOMAS H. OLIVER,
section 5, a leading citizen of the township, was born in Callaway
County, Missouri, November 12, 1841. Thomas H. Oliver, his father,
was a native of Halifax County, Virginia, and his mother, whose maiden
name was Mary Irvin, was a Kentuckian by birth. Thomas grew to
manhood on a farm, attending the subscription school in his youth. In
November, 1865, he came to this region of territory, and for three years
was engaged in the' saw mill and lumber business, after which, in 1868,
he came to Clark Township and settled on his present farm. He has
eighty acres of land in his home place, which is well improved, there
being upon it a good house and orchard. Mr. Oliver also owns forty
acres in another tract. He makes a specialty of handling and feeding
stock. He was married in this county November 12, 1868, to Miss Eliza
K. Young, daughter of Rufus Young. Mrs. Oliver was born April 3,
185 1, on the same place on which she was married, and where she now
resides. They have two children : Otis Y., born September 16, 1869,
and Leona, born December 2, 1872. Mrs. O. is a member of the Cum-
berland Presbyterian Church, and Mr. O. belongs to the I. O. O. F. fra-
ternity. He is democratic in politics, and was nominated and elected by
his party at the general election of 1876 as sheriff of Atchison County,
and was re-elected in 1878, serving four years. After his election he
moved into Rock Port, where he resided during his term of office,
returning to his farm in 1881.
CLARK TOWNSHIP. 745
SAMUEL PRETTYMAN,
section 13, township 64, range 40, was born on the 8th of May, 1829, and
is a native of England, in which country also his parents, George and
Mary (Upton) Prettyman were born. The subject of this sketch was
raised on a farm at his birth place, and in 1857 he emigrated to Canada,
where he was engaged in tilling the soil for fifteen months, after which
he came to the United States. He first settled in New York State, in
1858, and there continued to reside until February, 1872, when he came
to Missouri, locating in Holt County, where he lived some four years,
after which Atchison County became his home. Mr. P. has been on his
present farm for one year, and now owns 70 acres of land, all improved,
upon it there being a good dwelling and fine orchard. On December 8,
1858, in Orleans County, New York, occurred the marriage of Mr. Pret-
tyman to Miss Phebe Wiltse, daughter of Reuben and Nancy Wiltse. She
was born in Canada, March 16, 1834. They have two children : George
G., born April 29, i860, and Susan, (wife of William Dwyer) born August
15, 1862. Mr. P. is a member of the Episcopal Church, and Mrs. P. wor-
ships with the Methodist denomination.
N. C. RUNDLE
was born in Jackson County, Ohio, February 3, 1843. John Rundle, his
father, was also a native of Ohio. His mother's maiden name was Lydia
M. Rush. In 1848 the family removed from Jackson County, Ohio, to the
State of Missouri, settling in Macon County. After residing in that
locality for four years, Monroe County, Iowa, became their home, and
there they lived until coming to Atchison County in 1857. At that time
they settled near Rock Port, being among the early settlers of the town-
ship. The earlier days of young Rundle were spent in a woolen mill,
and he also attended the common schools. December 11, 1865, he was
married in Atchison County, to Miss Mary E. Bopst, daughter of O. A.
Bopst. She was born in Ohio, October 21, 1845. After his marriage,
Mr. Rundle worked at the woolen business for some nine years. In the
spring of 1875, he became engaged in farming near Phelps, and in the
spring of 1880, he moved to his present location. He has eighty acres
of land, with sixty-five acres fenced, fairly improved, and with ninety
fruit trees upon the place, which is in section 26, township 64, range 41.
Mr. and Mrs. R. have five children — John C, born October 21, 1869;
William A., born June 9, 1873; Walter G., born May 6, 1876; Harry
F., born June 14, 1878, and Luola, born June 14, 1880. Mr. and Mrs.
Rundle are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.
746 HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
BRADFORD RUPE,
section 6, was born in Atchison County, Missouri, January 16, 1848, his
parents being Richard and Mary J. Rupe, nee Renick. The former was
a native of Howard County, Missouri, and the latter was a Kentuckian
by birth. In 1842 they came to Atchison County, Missouri, and settled
in Clark Township, being among the pioneers of the county and among
the very first settlers of this township. The subject of this sketch
resides on the old homestead. He has 560 acres of land, all fenced,
with fair improvements and is one of the most successful agriculturists
of the township. He makes a specialty of dealing in and feeding stock.
Mr. Rupe was married in Holt County, Missouri, February 26, 1872, to
Miss Bircha Taylor, daughter of A. C. Taylor. She was born in Holt
County, September 2, 185 1. Their family consists of five children:
Henry Y., born September 29, 1873 ; Elizabeth C, born January 29,
1875 ; William A., born June 24, 1877 ; Van, born October 4, 1879, and
Orvil, born September 21, 1881.
JAMES SCARLETT
was born in Orange County, Indiana, on the 20th of October, 1827, and
was the son of Samuel and Jemima Scarlett, nee Charles, the former of
Orange County, North Carolina, and the latter from Indiana. James
Scarlett was brought up on a farm, receiving his education in the com-
mon subscription schools. He was married in Orange County, Indiana,
in the summer of 1849, to Miss F. C. Pace, daughter of Edward Pace.
She was born in Tennessee. In the fall of 1853, Mr. S. moved from
Orange County, Indiana, to Taylor County, Iowa, where he resided for
ten years, after which he came to Atchison County, Missouri, and settled
on his farm in Clark Township. He has 640 acres of land, well improved
and under fence, and a bearing orchard of 500 apple trees, besides a
variety of other fruits. His beautiful place is located in section 4, town-
ship 63, range 40. Mrs. S. died in Taylor County, Iowa, in i860, leaving
three children : Rachel E., Susana and Rebecca Isabelle. His second
marriage occurred in this county March 28, 1861, to Miss Sarah Van
Gundy, daughter of John VanGundy, Sr. She was born in Ohio. Mr.
and Mrs. S. have four children : William W., John G., Samuel V., and
James F. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Church, while
Mr. S. belongs to the Masonic order.
EZRA H. SCHOOLER,
was born in Grayson County, Virginia, December 18, 1845. W. D.
Schooler, his father, was born in Virginia, and his mother, Polly D.
Nuckols, was born in Grayson County, of the same state. The family
CLARK TOWNSHIP. 747
moved to Missouri in the fall of 1854, and settled in Atchison County, in
the vicinity of Rock Port. Ezra Schooler, the subject of this sketch,
spent his youth on a farm, and attending the common schools of the
county. He moved to his present farm in Clark Township in the fall of
1871. His place consists of 400 acres of excellent land all fenced, with
fair improvements, and is located in sections 22 and 24, township 64, range
40. There is on the place a fine young bearing orchard of 130 apple
trees, also some peach, pear and cherry trees ; of small fruits there is a
nice variety. Mr. Ezra Schooler was married in Atchison County,
October 19, 187 1, to Miss Caroline F. Walkup, daughter of Daniel H.
and Nancy Walkup. Mrs. Schooler was born January 25, 1854, in Ohio.
Mr. and Mrs. Schooler have had six children, of whom only three are
now living : Asa Lee Schooler, born September 21, 1872 ; Rosamond
Grace Schooler, born October 29, 1877; Charles Henry Schooler, born
March 24, 188 1 ; Ida Burdelle Schooler was born November 25, 1873,
and died September 5, 1880 ; Albert Austin Schooler was born July 30,
1875, and died September 8, 1880 ; Hubert Heath Schooler was born
November 6, 1879, ar*d died September 14, 1880.
BENJAMIN W. SEDWICK,
of the firm of Sedwick, Walter & Co., merchants at Fairfax, was born
September 25, 1847, in Page County, Virginia, in which state also his
parents, Joshua T. and Elizabeth (Colvin) Sedwick, were born. It 1857
the family removed to Missouri and settled in Holt County, near Ore-
gon, where they resided for one year, after which Forest City became
their home. Benjamin W. passed his youth in a store, and for some
time was an attendant at the Oregon High School, and also the school
at Forest City. He first began business for himself at Corning with
H. Patterson & Co., and carried a stock of general merchandise, remain-
ing in Corning until he came to Fairfax, in November, 1881. This firm
was one of the first to purchase business lots in the town, but have since
met with great success, which they richly merit. . Mr. Sedwick was
married, April 20, 1875, to Miss M. Louisa Dunlap, daughter of James
A. and Melinda Dunlap. She was born in Missouri, October 3, 1856.
Mr. and Mrs. S. have two children : Ethel A., born March 13, 1876, and
an infant son, born October 25, 1881. Mrs. S. is a member of the Old
School Presbyterian Church, and Mr. S. of the Methodist denomination.
He also belongs to the Masonic fraternity.
LEANDER SEYMOUR,
a native of Erie County, Pennsylvania, was born February 5, 1830, and
was the son of John and Levica Seymour, nee Eaton . The latter was a
748 HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
native of the state of New York. In 1838 they left Pennsylvania and set-
tled in Green County, Indiana, where they continued to make their home
for four years, afterwards coming- to Missouri. They located in Holt
County, where they were among the earliest pioneers, and, in the spring
of 1844, removed to Atchison County, settling in Irish Grove. The youth
of Leander was passed on a farm and in working in a wagon and repair
shop. In February, 1854, the marriage of Mr. S. to Miss Elizabeth Beck,,
daughter of Wilson N. Beck, occurred in Atchison County, Missouri. She
was born in Berrien County, Michigan, March 31, 1839. Mr. and Mrs.
Beck have six children : Franklin, born December 3, 1854 ; Lydia, born
July 18, 1856; Lindia, born September 26, 1858; Wilson N. B., born
December 28, i860 ; Leander, bom February 16, 1863 ; Mary, born March
1, 1868. After his marriage the subject of this sketch settled on his
present farm-, which contains 320 acres of improved land, 280 acres of
which are under fence, with a good dwelling, barn, etc., and an orchard of
250 apple trees, besides all varieties of large and small fruits. Mr. Sey-
mour makes a specialty of dealing in and feeding stock. He resides on
section 5, township 64, range 40.
JOHN SEYMOUR,
section 5, one of the leading farmers of Clark Township, was born Jan-
uary 12, 1834, in Erie County, Pennsylvania. John R. Seymour was his
father, and his mother's maiden name was Levica Eaton, she having
been born in New York State. In the fall of 1838, the family left Erie-
County, Pennsylvania, moving to Indiana, where they lived for three
years. After this they came to Missouri and located in Ray County,
where they resided for eighteen months, then selecting Atchison County
as their future place of residence. They came to this township in 1843,.
and were numbered with the early settlers of this vicinity. John Sey-
mour was raised on a farm, receiving a limited education at the common
subscription schools. He was married in this county September 25,.
1856, to Miss Sarah Jane Young, daughter of Rufus and Marinda Young.
She was born in Missouri, April 29, 1838, and died September 30, 1869,
leaving six children — Martha Marinda, (wife of William Combs), born
July 24, 1857; Mary L., (wife of Eugene Rhodes), born July 22, 1859;.
Pearcy Ann, born December 25, 1861 ; Joseph H., born October 12, 1863;
Emma J., born March 7, 1866, and Rufus G., born December 29, 1867.
In i860 Mr. Seymour settled on his present farm. He has 245 acres of
land, nearly all fenced, his home place consisting of 100 acres, with good
improvements. He belongs to the Masonic fraternity.
, ANDREW SHAVER
was born in Smith County, Virginia, February 8, 1849. S. K. Shaver,,
his father, as also his mother, formerly Elizabeth H. Kincano, were-
CLARK TOWNSHIP. 749
Virginians by birth. Andrew Shaver was raised on a farm, his time
being mostly occupied in working about the place, but to some
extent he attended the common schools. In the spring of 1868 he came
to Missouri and settled in Atchison County, of which county he has
since been a resident. Mr. Shaver was married January 20, 1875. ln
Smith County, Virginia, to Miss Elmira C. Ashlin, daughter of Hart-
well Ashlin, Esq. She is a native of Virginia and was born July 15,
1853. Mr. and Mrs. S. have three children: Etta, born September 30,
1875 ; Bessie, born September 5, 1877, and Emeline, born January 30
1880. In 1877 Mr. Shaver moved upon his present farm and now owns
eighty acres ot land, all improved, and upon it is a small bearing
orchard. He resides on section 35, township 64, range 40.
JUDGE JOHN F. SLY,
one of the most enterprising men of this township, and a man highly
respected, was born in Pickaway County, Ohio, February 22, 1828. His
parents were Henry and Ann Sly, nee McCollister, the latter of Mary-
land, and the former a Virginian by birth. The youthful days of John
F. were spent on a farm, he being reared to habits of industry, which
have adhered to him during life. He received a common school educa-
tion, and in 185 1, he became engaged in the handling and shipping of
stock, which business he followed for five years. In 1857 ne came to
Missouri, settling in Clark Township, and for twenty-four years has lived
on his present place. Mr. Sly has 330 acres of land, about 220 acres
being improved, and upon his place is a good brick dwelling. The sub-
ject of this sketch was married in this county, January 18, 1859, to Miss
Mary J Stephenson, daughter of William Stephenson. She was born
in Indiana, February 10, 1830. Mr. and Mrs. Sly have four children :
Henry Oscar, born December 31, i860 ; Lillian, born October 10, 1864 ;
Senoma, born October 11, 1868, and Mary, born January 3, 1872. Politi-
cally, the Judge is Democratic, and once received the nomination of
county judge, by his party, being elected to that position at the general
election of 1876. He served for two years very acceptably and credit-
ably. The Judge is greatly interested in dealing in and feeding stock.
WARREN W. STRICKLER
was born in Adams County, Illinois, August 26, 1844, and was the son
of Wesley and Catherine (Kern) Strickler, who were both natives of
Pennsylvania. Warren was brought up to habits of industry, on a farm,
receiving his education in the common schools of Adams County. He
was there married, February 4, 1868, to Miss Mary V. Stewart, who was
born in Adams County, Illinois, September 30, 1847. She was the
75° HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
daughter of Bradley Stewart, Esq. In March, 1874, the subject of this
sketch removed to Missouri and settled in Clark Township, on his present
location. He is one of the leading agriculturists of this vicinity, and now
has a landed estate of 880 acres, all fenced and improved, there being
upon the place an orchard of 300 apple trees, besides other varieties of
fruit. His good residence is situated on section 13, township 63, range
40. Mr. S. makes a specialty of raising and breeding thoroughbred
Poland China hogs, and is at all times prepared to fill orders and supply
parties with this valuable stock. He and his wife have two children :
Orie, born July 27, 1870, and Firman, born April 8, 1872. Mrs. Strickler
is a member of the Methodist Church.
CHARLES T. TAYLOR,
proprietor and publisher of the Fairfax Independent, was born in
Bethel, Connecticut, December 21, 1859. His parents were Theodore
F. and Juliette Taylor, nee Bassett, both natives of Connecticut. The
youth of the subject of this sketch was spent mostly in school. When
in his thirteenth year he entered a telegraph office, and there learned
the art of telegraphy, which he followed for five years. In 1877 he
went into the office of the Bethel Ledger and learned the printing busi-
ness, remaining in that office for one year, after which he came west and
located at Avoca, Iowa. He was there employed in the newspaper
office of the Delta, and in 1880 he came to Corning, Holt County, Mis-
souri. He acted as telegraph operator there and also worked on the
Corning Herald until the spring of 1882, when he moved into Fairfax
and started his present newspaper enterprise. The Independent is a
live, spicy journal, and though but a short time here, Mr. Taylor has
clearly demonstrated his ability to give the people of Fairfax and
vicinity a paper of which they may well be proud. He was married in
Corning, Holt County, June 4, 1881, to Miss Mollie L. Dodds, daughter
of J. R. Dodds. She was born in Des Moines County, Iowa. Mr. T. is
a member of the Masonic order.
JOHN VAN GUNDY,
section 17, is another of the early settlers of Atchison County, and espe-
cially of Clark Township. He is a native of Rose County, Ohio, and
was born March 27, 1829, his parents, John and Margaret (Search) Van
Gundy, having been born in Pennsylvania. In 1859 the family removed
from Ohio, and located in Clark Township of this coimty. The subject
of this biography was reared on a farm, and received a common school
education. March 31, 1853, he was married in Ross County, to Miss
Mary Ann Jones, daughter of William Jones. She was born in that
CLARK TOWNSHIP. 751
county, May 12, 1832. In 1858, Mr. Van Gundy moved to Missouri and
settled on his present farm. He has 300 acres in his home place, and
600 acres elsewhere. About 600 acres are under fence and improved,
and upon it is an orchard of 700 apple, besides other trees, including all
varieties of fruit. He has some thoroughbred Cottswold sheep, and is
greatly interested in feeding and dealing in stock. Mr. and Mrs. Van
Gundy have six children — Rose Ann, (wife of John H. Hogrefe), William
A., Emma, (now Mrs. J. W. May), Jane, David S. and Eliza. Mrs. Van
Gundy is a member of the Methodist Church. He belongs to the
Masonic lodge.
ALEXANDER VAN GUNDY
was born in Ross County, Ohio, February 9, 1850. James VanGundy,.
his father, and also his mother, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Moore,
were natives of the same county. In 1865 the family removed to Atch-
ison County, Missouri, and located in this township. Alexander spent
his youth in following agricultural pursuits, and for a time attended
the common schools of this vicinity. March 16, 1871, his marriage to
Miss Susan E. Scarlett occurred in this county. She was the daughter
of James Scarlett and was born in Taylor County, Iowa, January 27,.
1853. Mr. and Mrs. VanGundy have four children : Mamie Josephine,
born June 2, 1872 ; Anna L., born August 11, 1874; Homer V., born
October 1, 1878 ; Rubie Olive, born October 27, 1881. One son, James
A., was born November 24, 1876, and died December 15, 1877. In March,
1878, Mr. VanGundy settled on his present farm, in section 6, township
63, range 40. He owns 255 acres of land, improved, but gives his atten-
tion mostly to the raising of fruit- He has an orchard of 1,400 apple,
800 peach, 120 plum and some pear trees, besides 750 grape vines and
other fruit. He is entitled to much credit for the attention which he
has given to this important industry and is very successful in his under-
taking. His wife is a member of the Methodist Church. He belongs to
the Masonic fraternity.
WILLIAM VAN GUNDY,
a native of Ross County, Ohio, was born April 25, 1850, and is the son
of John and Leah Van Gundy, nee Search, the former of Pennsylvania,
and his mother of Ohio. The family moved to Clark Township, Atchi-
son County, Missouri, in 1859, ar>d are numbered among the pioneers of
this locality. William grew to manhood on a farm in this county, and
enjoyed the privileges of a common school education. He was here
united in marriage on November 4, 1875, to Miss Elvina Baker, who was
born in Ohio, April 6, 1858, and a daughter of Z. C. Baker. Mr. and Mrs.
Van Gundy have two children : Terissa, born November 15,. 1876, and
75 2 ' HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
Monta Ray, born February I, 1880. The subject of this sketch resides
on the old farm which his father first settled when he came to the county.
This is located on section 16, township 64, range 40, and consists of 640
acres of land, nearly all under fence, and well improved. He is a mem-
ber of the Masonic order, and he and his wife belong to the Methodist
Church.
REASON WAITS
was born on the 19th of November, 18 19, and is a native of Brown
County, Ohio. Charles Waits, his father, was born in Kentucky. He
married Mary Goble. Reason passed his younger days on a farm and
obtained common school privileges for acquiring an education. When
nineteen years of age he went to Shelby County, where for two years he
was engaged in working by the month on a farm. In 1840 he came to
Missouri and located in Ray County, where he resided for about four
years. In 1844 Mr. W. was married in Ray County to Miss Susan Sipe,
who died in 1855, leaving three children, two of whom are living : Wil-
liam F. and Asa Lewis. Shortly after this marriage he came to Atchi-
son County, settling in Clark Township in 1844. In 1858 he was again
married in this county to Miss Melissa Jane Clemons, daughter of
David Clemons. She was born in Kentucky. Mr. and Mrs. Waits have
six children, of whom three are now living : Mores, Lucinda, (wife
of F. Hays), and Margaret. Mr. W. made an overland trip to Califor-
nia in 1850 and remained there for nearly two years, occupied in min-
ing. In 1852 he returned by way of the Isthmus and New York City.
He resides on section 18, township 64, range 40. Being one of the pio-
neers of this county, Mr. W. is widely and favorably known and has
hosts of friends.
BENJAMIN F. WAKEFIELD,
a native of Otsego County, New York, was born July 19, 1827. His
father, Samuel W. Wakefield, was born in Vermont, but was raised in
New York, in which latter state his wife, formerly Polly Knight, was
born. The subject of this sketch grew to manhood on a farm, and was
educated in the common schools. June 8, 1859, he was married to Miss
Nellie A. Cornell, daughter of Stephen and Mary Cornell. She was born
in Orleans County, New York, in October, 1834, and departed this life
November 12, 1872, leaving three children : Bruce C, born July 20, i860 I
Waldo E., born March 20, 1862, and Hattie E., born June 12, 1867. In
February, 1872, Mr. W. moved from New York to Missouri, and located
in Holt County, where he was engaged in farming for eighteen months.
In 1874, he came to Clark Township, Atchison County, and now owns
•eighty acres of land with fair improvements. He was married to his
present wife, Miss Sarah S. Kendall, daughter of Edward and Emily
CLARK TOWNSHIP. 753
Kendall, in Atchison County, Missouri, September 16, 1874. Two chil-
dren were the result of this union, one of whom is living, Mary E., born
August 6, 1878. Nellie M. was born September 18, 1876, and died July
25, 1877. Mr. and Mrs. Wakefield are members of the Baptist Church.
The former was in service for nearly two years during the war, enlisting
January 5, 1864, and discharged October 5, 1865, having served in the
Eighth New York Heavy Artillery. He participated in several import-
ant engagements, among which were the battles of Cold Harbor, and
three engagements in front of Petersburg — Reams' Station, Hatcher's
Run and others.
EDWARD H. WHITE.
Among the prominent farmers and stock raisers and feeders of this
township, the subject of this sketch will bear more than a passing notice.
He was born in Henry County, Illinois, October 22, 1848, his parents
being A. C. and Martha (Hubbard) White. His father was a native of
Dutchess County, New York, and his mother was born near Hartford,
Connecticut. Edward was reared in Henry County, Illinois, receiving a
fair education at the Kewanee High School. In December, 1869, he
came to Atchison County, Missouri, and settled in Clark Township, and
since that time, has been a resident of this vicinity. He owns 760 acres
of excellent land, all fenced, with about 380 acres in cultivation, and a
good residence, orchard, etc. Mr. White was married December 21,
1872, in Atchison County, Missouri, to Miss Adeline Muinch, daughter of
Frederick Muinch. She was born July 18, 1852. Mr. and Mrs. White
have four children : Olive H., born October 14, 1873 ; Augusta, born
October 11, 1875; Stella, February 3, 1878; Orvil J., August 28, 1880.
Mr. W. is Republican in politics, to the . principles of which party he
closely adheres.
RICHARD E. WHITE,
one of the respected pioneers of the county was born in Iredell County,
North Carolina, June 11, 183 1. Joseph White, his father, and his mother,
whose maiden name was Sarah King, were natives of the same county.
In 1845 the family removed from North Carolina and settled in Cape
Girardeau County, Missouri, where they lived for three years, after which,
in 1848, they moved to Buchanan County. The early days of young
White were passed on a farm, his education being received in the com-
mon schools. In January, 1856, he came to this county, locating near
its southern boundary. February 26, 1857, he was here married to Miss
Nancy A. Parker, daughter of Robison and Elizabeth Parker, and who was
born in Platte County, Missouri, February 8, 1841. After his marriage
Mr. White settled in Clark Township, and in 1859 he removed to
Nebraska, where he was engaged informing until 1863, when he returned
48
754 HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
to this county. Two years later he went to Nebraska City and was
occupied in freighting. In 1866 he again returned here and has since
continued to be a resident of Atchison County. In 1867 he engaged in
the stock business, which he followed for twelve years. In the spring of
1873 he came to his present farm, in section 26, which consists of 140
acres of land, fairly improved. Mr. and Mrs. White have had ten chil-
dren, of whom six are now living : George P., born August 30, 1867 ;
Walter K., born December 4, 1869 ; Oscar E., born April 17, 1872 ;
Celestia Belle, born February 28, 1874; Ann, born October 24, 18/7, and
Richard H., born December 20, 1880. Those deceased are : Charles
Q., born October 20, 1858, died July 12, 1879 > Elizabeth D., born Octo-
ber 26, 1864, died February 15, 1875 ; Otis R., born November 18, 1862,
died March 21, 1875, and Rebecca, born June 20, 1863, died January 28,
1865. Mrs. White is a member of the M. E. Church, South. Mr. W.
belongs to the Masonic fraternity.
DAVID L. WILLIAMS,
was born on the 9th of January, 1849, and is a native of Rushville, Ohio.
He is the son of George and Minerva Williams nee Lunsford, who were
born in the same state. The family, on leaving Ohio subsequently set-
tled in De Kalb County, Indiana. The youth of the subject of this
memoir was passed in a flour and saw mill and also in a store, he attend-
ing for a time the common schools. In 1868, he came to Atchison
County, Missouri, and located at Milton, where he engaged in the mill-
ing business. In July, 1869, returned to Ohio, and after making a trip
through Indiana and Iowa, he again came to Milton in 1873, and has
since continued to make this county his home, most of the time being
interested in a flour and saw mill. In November, 1881, he embarked in
the mercantile business at Milton, and at present, (1882) has the only
store in the place. He is doing a thriving business, as he well merits.
September 28, 1875, Mr. W. was married to a Mrs. Williams, a daughter
of Joseph Ball. They have two children: Minnie E., born November
20, 1876, and an infant daughter born May 9, 1881. One child, Virgil O.,
who was born March 21, 1879, died May 28, 1880. Mr. W. is a member
of both the Masonic and Odd Fellows orders.
CHAPTER XL
DALE TOWNSHIP.
BOUNDARIES AND ORGANIZATION— TOPOGRAPH Y-TIMBER— BRIDGES -EARLY SETTLERS
-UOTHAN — ELK DALE -SCHOOLS-CHURCHES— BIOGRAPHICAL.
DALE TOWNSHIP.
On the 25th of November, 1871, it was ordered by the county court
that Clark Township be divided i; to two voting precincts, and that the
west fork of Little Tarkio be the line ; that all that portion of said town-
ship on the east side of said Little Tarkio Creek be called Walkup Pre-
cinct, and that all that portion of said township on the west side of said
Little Tarkio Creek be called Beck Precinct.
The following is matter of record :
"At the regular term of the County Court of Atchison County, held
August 23, 1876, on petition of William De Armond, Elisha Harrington
and sixteen other citizens, praying that part of Clark Township situate
east of the range line between ranges 34 and 40, be stricken off from
Clark Township, and formed into a separate township, no objection
having been filed why said division of Clark Township should be made,
it is therefore ordered that that part of Clark Township lying east of
the range line, between ranges 39 and 40, commencing at the southwest
corner of section 18, township 63, range 39, thence north on the range
line, between ranges 39 and 40, to the northwest corner of section 6,
township 64, range 39, thence east on the township line, between town-
ships 64 and 65, to the line between Atchison and Nodaway Counties,
thence south on county line between Atchison and Holt, thence west to
the place of beginning. Ordered that place of voting in said township
be at Walkup's School House."
It thus appears that the present limits of Dale Township include the
whole territory embraced within the area of what originally constituted
Walkup Precinct of Clark Township, and a small portion of Beck Pre-
cinct of the same.
TOPOGRAPHY.
Dale Township occupies the southeast corner of the county, and is
exactly square, measuring nine miles in each direction. It is bounded
756 HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
on the north by Tarkio Township, on the east by Nodaway County, on
the south by Holt County and on the west by Clark Township. In com-
mon with other districts of the county, Dale Township is admirably
watered. East fork of Little Tarkio enters its limits from the north, in
the northeast quarter of section 5, township 64, range 38, and flows in a
generally southwesterly direction, through sections six and seven of
township 64, range 38, and onward through sections 13, 24, 25, 26
and 35, of township 64, range 39, thence through sections 2, 10, 16, and
the southeast corner of section 17, into Holt County. West fork of
Little Tarkio enters the township from the north, in the northwest
corner of section 3, township 64, range 39, flowing in a southwesterly
direction through sections 4, 9, 17, 20 and 19, thence in a due southerly
course, through sections 30 and 31, entering township 63, range 29 in
section 6, and flowing in a due southerly course, through sections 7 and
18, of the same in Holt County. White's Branch, flowing from Tarkio
Township, enters the northwest corner of Dale Township, in section 6,
and flows in a generally southerly course, through sections 7, 18 and 19,
into the west fork of Little Tarkio. DeArmond's Branch rises in the
southeast quarter of section 15, township 64, range 39, and flowing in a
generally southwesterly course, through sections 22, 28 and 32, enters
the west fork of Little Tarkio in section 31 of the same township and
range. Squaw Creek rises in the southeast quarter of section 33, town-
ship 64, range 38. and flows in a southwesterly course through sections 4,
8, 17 and 18, of township 63, range 38, from the southeast corner of the
southwest quarter of which last mentioned section it enters Holt County.
Besides these, there are in the township some fifteen or twenty inferior
streams or branches of the above described creeks.
TIMBER.
Dale Township is almost wholly a prairie district of country, the only
timber growing within its limits being found on the waters of the east
fork of the LittleTarkio, and near a small tributary of the same, in sec-
tions 24, 25, 26, 19 and 30, of township 64, range 39, and township 64,
range 38. The entire area of timber thus included does not amount to
more than eight or nine hundred acres. Coal is believed by many to
exist within the limits of this township, but nothing sufficiently definite
has, as yet, developed to point conclusively to such an opinion.
BRIDGES.
There are, in Dale Township, twelve bridge's of greater or less extent,
all of which are fully described and located in the chapter of the history
entitled bridges.
DALE TOWNSHIP. 757
EARLY SETTLERS.
Dale Township was settled more recently than any other in the
county, the majority of the early settlers having located there within
the past twenty years and coming generally from the northern and east-
ern states. The most of the cultivated land has been opened up dur-
ing the past ten years, so that Dale Township as an agricultural district
may be considered in its first stages of development.
Among the pioneers of the township may be mentioned J. D.Jones,
Harrison Wright, John Bodkin, C. Bodkin, John Carter, Samuel W.
Proud, James Walkup, Henry Wirtz, Bruce Walker, Daniel Kelly,
Joseph Tison, J. L. Conard, D. S. Morris, James West, J. W. Steveson,
Josephine F. Cosser, now the wife of Nathan Drummond, John Zellars.,
J. R. Kaufman and others, who came at a later period. Indiana is more
largely represented in the early settlement of this township than per-
haps any other state, and among the foreign nationalities none are
more numerous and more influential than have been the representatives
of Great Britain. The groves of timber, of which there are several,
include some of the first settlements. Walkup's Grove, on East Tarkio,
contains about three hundred and twenty acres of land, and takes its
name after James Walkup, who came from Holt County and settled
there many years ago.
Hickory Grove was settled by Samuel Proud from Indiana, who
still resides there.
Robert Waugh, originally irom Dunbar, Scotland, but to Atchison
County from Illinois, located at Waugh's Grove, about two miles south-
west of Walkup's Grove, about the year 1865. Mr. Waugh is said to
have been a wealthy and well educated gentleman, and owned besides
his country home here an elegant residence in Chicago, where he lived
during the winter. He bought Waugh's Grove chiefly to make a stock
farm out of it, but sold it in June, 1881, to A. G. Argo, from Ohio. Mr.
Waugh married in Chicago, his wife being the daughter of the British
Consul, and she preferring a residence in Europe, he sold his posses-
sions as above stated and returned to Scotland.
DOT HAN.
The only business point in the township is Dothan, which contains
a post office, a store, blacksmith and wagon makers shop. The first mer-
chant, who went there and began business about two years ago, was J.
R. Collison, who was also the first postmaster. Van Dunn succeeded
him as postmaster, and a man by the name of — Long, who has now the
only dry goods and general merchandise store in the place, is the pres-
ent postmaster. John Dewy is the blacksmith and David Wagner is the
wagon maker.
758 HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
There is also a post office, called Elk Dale, located near the southeast
corner of the township, and at the residence of Dr. Benson Bond. His
wife is postmistress. Dr. Bond settled there some twelve or fifteen
years since, and his farm is now one of the largest and best improved in
the county. His apple orchard is the largest in the township. The doc-
tor is a native of Maryland, and he is said to be one of the leading and
most public spirited men in the township.
The voting precinct for this township is at Walkup's Grove.
SCHOOLS.
The first school house was built about the year 1870, the Walkup
Grove being the first and Mount Salem the next. The township has
eight schools in a flourishing condition.
CHURCHES.
The Baptist Church at Walkup's Grove was erected in 1881, and
presided over by Rev. C. L. Butts. The organizing members were :
Duncan Sellers and wife, John Sellers and wife, James Frest and
wife, Martin L. Bear and wife, Red. Woodhouse and wife, George Wal-
kup and wife, Riley Walkup and wife, Howard Christian and wife,
Fountain Lott, George Lott, J. L. Miles, William Miles and wife, George
Creed and wife, Shade Franklin.
The Cumberland Presbyterian Church is located one mile south of
the Baptist Church, and was built in 1882. The members present at its
organization were : Timothy Proud and wife, Silas Combs and wife,
Philip Dragoo and wife, W. J. Adams and wife, Henry Walkup and wife
and William Poison. The minister is the Rev. C. L. Butts.
*s&
&— s^^s— <?x
4-BIOGRAPHI CAL.4
ALBERT G. ARGO,
farmer and stock raiser, section 2, was born October 17, 1840, in Adams
County, Ohio. James Argo, his father, was a native of Maryland, but
was raised in Pike County, Ohio, where his parents had settled in 1804.
He married Ruth A. Matthews, who was born in Adams County, Ohio.
In 1865 the family moved to Marion County, Iowa. Albert was raised
upon a farm, and was the recipient of a common school education. He
DALE TOWNSHIP. 759
was married in Pike County, Ohio, November 9, 186?, to Miss Elsie
Scowden, a native of that county and a daughter of Samuel Scowden.
They have had four children, of whom two are living : William T., born
July 18, 1865, and Elizabeth A., born January 8, 1868. Mr. Argo con-
tinued to reside in Marion County, Iowa, till the fall of 1873, when he
moved to Nodaway County, Missouri, there being engaged in farming
for about two years. In 1875 he came to Atchison County, and has
since made his home here. In 1881 he bought his present place (known
as the Waugh farm,) which consists of 280 acres of land, all fenced. There
is upon the place an orchard of 100 apple and 25 cherry trees, and a fine
burr-oak grove to the north and west of the residence. Mr. Argo makes
a specialty of feeding hogs and cattle, and in the same is quite success-
ful. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity. He is Democratic in
politics, and liberal in his religious views.
JOHN T. BARKLEY,
was born in Linn County, Iowa, September 5, 1846, and is the son of
Gabriel M. and Elizabeth Barkley, nee Mclntyre, both Kentuckians by
birth. John T. was raised in his native county, and received a common
school education. July 2, 1871, his marriage occurred, in that county,
to Miss Mary E. Miller, daughter of A. K. and Jane Miller. She was
born in Indiana, September 7, 185 1. Mr. and Mrs. Barkley have two
children: Blanche B., born April 17, 1872, and Roscoe K., born Decem-
ber 7, 1877. After leaving Linn County, Iowa, the subject of this sketch
came to Missouri, and in the winter of 1872, located in Nodaway County,
where he continued to live for three years. He then became a citizen
of Atchison County, bought some land, and in 1875, settled in Dale
Township. He has a farm of eighty acres, all fenced, his place being on
section 19, township 64, range 39. Mr. Barkley is greatly interested in
the stock business. He and his wife are members of the Methodist
Church.
GUSTAVUS BAYHA,
farmer and stock raiser, section 8, is a native of Wurtemburg, Germany,
where he was born November 14, 1834, his parents, Frederick- and Nanny
(Cayser) Bayha, having been born in the same country. The youth of
Gustavus was passed in his native country at school, where he received
a liberal education. In 1854 he emigrated to the United States, and
settled in Lake County, Illinois, where he engaged in farming. After
remaining there till 1877, he came to this county, settling on his present
place in Dale Township. This contains 240 acres of improved land,
with a good dwelling and a young orchard of 300 apple, 100 peach and
twenty-five each of pear, cherry and plum trees, besides a vineyard of
760 HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
400 grape vines. October 15, 1871. Mr. Bayha was married in Illinois to
Mrs. Anna Holycross, whose maiden name was Morse, and a daughter
of Isaac Morse. She was born in Ohio, December 23, 1840. Mr. and
Mrs. B. have five children : Herman R., born July 21, 1872 ; Minnie S.,
born March 12, 1874; Jessie S., born May 10, 1876; Christian T., born
November 11, 1878, and Matilda, born July 14, 1881. Mrs. Bayha had
one child by a former marriage, Henrietta Holycross, born March 30,
1861. He is Republican in his political views. He is extensively engaged
in the stock business.
WILLIAM BERTRAM.
section 21, was born in Hanover, Germany, December 11, 1842. His
father, Frederick G. Bertram, as was also his mother, formerly Dora
Koon, was a native of Germany. William grew to manhood in his
native country, spent his younger days in attending school and working
at the blacksmith trade, in the shop of his father. When nineteen years
of age he entered the regular German army, in which he remained six
years. After being discharged in 1867, he emigrated to the United States
and settled near the present site of Corning, Holt County, Missouri,
where he engaged at his trade of blacksmith. He worked at this point
three years, when he erected a shop at Corning, there carrying on the
business some nine years. About this time, or in 1879, he disposed of
this branch of industry and embarked in the hotel business at Corning.
After conducting a good house for one year, in 188 1 he purchased a farm
in Dale Township, this county. His place contains 80 acres, all under
cultivation, with a fair dwelling, etc. February 1, 1878, Mr. Bertram
was married in Corning to Miss Emma Thiemann, daughter of Christo-
pher and Mary Thiemann. She was born in Du Page County, Illinois,
March 20, 1858. They have two children : Ada Mary, born August 9,
1879, and Henry A., born August 25, 1881. Mr. B. is independent in
politics.
THOMPSON BLACK
was born February 8, 1833, and is a native of Allegheny County, Penn-
sylvania. He is of Irish descent, his parents, Brice and Jane (Logan)
Black, having been born in Ireland. In 1839 Thompson accompanied
the family to Washington County, Pennsylvania, where they lived for
twekve years, after which they moved to Lee County, Iowa, in 185 1.
That locality they made their home for five years, going thence to Page
County, in 1856. Young Black was raised on the farm and attended the
common schools in these different places. In 1877 he moved to Atchi-
son County, Missouri, settling in Dale Township, where he now owns a
farm, in section 15, township 63, range 39, of 400 acres of land, with an
orchard of 600 apple, 200 peach, 75 cherry and other fruit trees, besides
DALE TOWNSHIP. 761
a vineyard of 100 grape vines. He is greatly interested in raising and
feeding stock for the market. Mr. Black has been twice married ; first
in Page County, Iowa, January 24, 1861, to Harriet Margerum, who was
born in Pennsylvania, in 1843, she being a daughter of David Margerum.
She died May 12, 1868, leaving a family of four children : Nancy Jane,
born February 1, 1862 ; Anson Monroe, born November 29, 1863 ; Ella
May, born May 10, 1866 ; Thompson, born May 12, 1868. Mr. B. was
again married February 18, 1869, to Miss Gizzella Margerum, also a
daughter of David Margerum. She was born in Pennsylvania, Decem-
ber 12, 1845. By this union there are two children : Harry D., born
February 17, 1870 ; Walter L., born December 24, 1872.
JOHN W. BOTKIN
was born on the 8th of August, 1839, and is a native of Randolph
County, Indiana. He was the son of Peter and Elizabeth A. Botkin.
His mother was born in Indiana and his father in Knoxville, Tennessee.
John W. Botkin grew to manhood as a farmer and received a common
school education. He has been twice married, first in his native county
in December, 1865, to Miss Rebecca Mills, who departed this life in
1867. For three years during the war Mr. Botkin was in service. In
1861 he enlisted in Company D, Sixty-ninth Indiana Infantry, and was
discharged in 1864, having participated in several engagements, among
which were the battles of Richmond, Kentucky, and Blakely, Alabama.
After being discharged he returned to Randolph County, Indiana, and
was there engaged in farming until 1870, when he moved west, settling
in Holt County, near New Point. There he resided for some three
years. December 26, 1872, Mr. B. was married in Holt County to his
present wife, formerly Miss Mary Meyer, a daughter of John Meyer.
She was born in Holt County, Missouri, November 12, 1852. They have
one child, William L., born July 3, 1875. I" the- spring of 1874 Mr. B.
came to Atchison County and located in section 31, township 64, range
38. He has a farm of 240 acres of land, all improved, and an orchard
of 100 apple, 300 peach and other fruit trees. Mrs. Botkin is a member
of the Old School Presbyterian Church. Politically he is Republican.
JAMES C. BOTKIN,
farmer and stock raiser, section 30, was born in Randolph County,
Indiana, February 11, 1846. His parents were Peter and Elizabeth
(Adamson) Botkin, the former a native of Knox County, Tennessee, and
the latter of Indiana. James was brought up on a farm in his native
county, and was educated in the common schools. In 1870 he came
west, and after spending one season in Nodaway County, Missouri,
762 HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
engaged in farming, he removed to Atchison County in 1871, settling on
his present farm in 1873, it then being nothing but prairie. He now
owns eighty acres of valuable land, all improved, and has an orchard of
75 apple and 200 peach trees. January 1, 1871, Mr. Botkin was married
in Randolph County, Indiana, to Miss Gertrude Payne, daughter of
William F. Payne. She was born in Wayne County, Indiana, April 8,
1848. Mr. and Mrs. Botkin have two children, (twins), Freddy and
Edson, who were born January 20, 1875. One child is deceased.
DANIEL CARMEAN,
farmer and stock raiser, section 30, was born in Fayette County, Ohio,
December 12, 1849. Daniel Carmean, his father, was a native of Mary-
land, and his mother's maiden name was Jemima Hirl. Young Daniel
was reared in Ohio, his youth being spent on a farm, and his education
was such as the common schools afforded. He made his home in his
native state until February, 1866, when he came to Missouri, and settled
in La Fayette County, where he was engaged in farming for some four
years. In the spring of 1871, he moved to Atchison County, and located
in Dale Township, on his present farm, where he owns a farm of 160
acres, improved and with a comfortable dwelling. His orchard contains
IOO apple, 50 peach, and 50 cherry trees, besides other varieties and
some small fruit. Mr. Carmean was married in Cass County, Missouri,
January 5, 1873, to Miss Fannie Parks, daughter of William H. Parks.
She was born in Tennessee, September 27, 1847, but was raised in
La Fayette County, Missouri. They have one child, Maud May, who
was born May 10, 1874. Mrs. Carmean is a member of the Baptist
Church. Mr. C. is Republican in politics.
ALEXANDER CHANCE,
was born near Oregon, Holt County, Missouri, October 29, [843, and is
the son of William and Rosann (Record) Chance, the former of Missouri,
and the latter a native of Indiana. The earlier days of Alexander
were passsed on a farm, his opportunities for acquiring an education
being very limited. In August, 1862, when eighteen years of age, he
enlisted in the First Missouri Cavalry of the Confederate army, and
served until the close of the war, being in numerous important battles,
among which were the engagements of Pea Ridge, Corinth, Grand Gulf,
Champion's Hill, Black River, Mississippi, and Atlanta. After the war
Mr. C. returned to Holt County, and for seven years was engaged in
farming. In 1872, he came to Atchison County, and settled here, though
he has lived on his present farm but one year. He has 50 acres of land,
improved and a small orchard, in section 34. Mr. Chance was married
DALE TOWNSHIP. 7^3
January 31, 1869, in Holt County, to Miss Matilda Taylor, daughter of
Elves and Matilda Taylor. She was born in Holt County, January 1,
1850. Mr. and Mrs. C. have had four children, of whom two are living:
Araminta, born March 23, 1870, and Ernest A., born May 4, 1871. The
two deceased are, William A., born September 26, 1872, died April 5,
1873, and Edgar, born June 29, 1873, died August 22, 1874. Mr. and
Mrs. Chance are members of the Baptist Church. He belongs to the A.
O. U. W. fraternity. In his political preferences he is Democratic.
GEORGE N. CIES,
a native of Bavaria, Germany, was born March 4, 1848, and is a son of
John G. and Catherine Cies, who were also born in that country. In
1852 the family emigrated to the United States and landed at New
Orleans in the summer of that year. A few days after John G. Cies and
his wife both died of cholera. The subject of this sketch was taken and
raised on a farm by one Thomas Bates, of Bureau County, Illinois, and
was educated in the schools of that county, where he lived till 1869,
when he came to Atchison County, Missouri, working by the month on
a farm. He now has a farm of eighty acres, all improved, and a good
orchard and dwelling, situated in section 9, township 64, range 39. Mr.
Cies was married November 3, 1872, to Miss Eldora F. DeArmond, who
was born in Ringgold County, Iowa, February 15, 1856, being a daugh-
ter of William and Leah DeArmond, of Atchison County, Missouri.
They have four children : Herbert W., born January 14, 1874 ; Arthur,
born April 6, 1876 ; Charles E., born December 22, 1877, and Leah Ann,
born August 11, 1879. Mr. and Mrs. Cies are members of the Baptist
Church. Mr. C, politically, is a Republican.
MICHAEL S. COLLINS,
a prominent farmer of this township, is a native of Missouri, having been
born near Oregon, Holt County, May 10, 1846. His parents were James
M. and Rebecca Collins, nee Stephenson, the latter of Indiana and the
former a Kentuckian by birth. Michael S. Collins spent his youth on a
farm and attended the common schools for two or three months during
the year. In March, 1875, he moved to his place in Atchison County,
Missouri. He owns 200 acres of land, in section 2, township 63, range
39, all under fence. His orchard contains 300 apple, 500 peach and a
variety of other trees, with an abundance of small fruits. February 20,
1868, the marriage of Mr. Collins to Miss Milla Jane Oliver occurred in
Holt County. She was born in Vermillion County, Illinois, July 9, 1843.
They have five children : Charles U., born December 18, 1868 ; William
Mason, born January 7, 1872 ; Gool F., born July 14, 1875 ', Marvin P.,
764 HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
born February 5, 1877 ; Minnie Belle, born April 21, 1879. Charles U.,
the eldest son, died in 1871, when about two and a half years old. Mr.
and Mrs. Collins are members of the Baptist Church.
WILLIAM DeARMOND
was born in Columbia County, Pennsylvania, on the 26th of February,
1826. His father, John DeArmond, was a native of the same county,
and his mother, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Campbell, was born
in Ireland. His paternal grandfather was born in Ireland, but was of
French descent. He served as a soldier in the Revolutionary War, and
was at the battle of Bunker Hill and at the surrender of Yorktown.
For his services during that conflict he drew a pension and died at the
advanced age of 112 years. His son, John DeArmond, and family
moved to Sangamon County, Illinois, in 1846. William was raised on a
farm and remained at home for about four years, after the family had
located in Sangamon County. In 1852 he went to California and for
three years was in the mining business, after which he returned from
the gold fields and settled in Ringgold County, Iowa, where he lived
twelve years. He then came to Atchison County, Missouri, and settled
on his farm in this township. He has 120 acres of land in his home
place and an eighty acre tract in another ; his land is all well improved,
and his large bearing orchard contains 1,200 apple, 300 peach and fifty
cherry trees, besides other varieties. Mr. DeArmond was married on
February 6, 185 1, to Miss Adaline Carson, daughter of* William Carson.
She was born in Sangamon County, Illinois, July 30, 1829, and was mar-
riee on the same place of her birth, the land adjoining the place of the
noted Peter Cartwright. Mr. and Mrs. DeArmond have had eleven
children, of whom nine are living: Jacob E., born November 16, 185 1
Eldora F., born February 15, 1856 ; Rachel L., born March 17, 1857
Jerome C, born June n, 1858; Cynthia A., born September 18, 1859
Charles D., born April 20, 1861 ; Winfield S., born October 9, 1862
Lenoir H., born May 4, 1864, and George W., born November 14, 1865.
Mr. and Mrs. DeArmond are members of the Missionary Baptist
Church.
JACOB E. DeARMOND,
farmer and stock raiser, section 33, township 64, range 39, is a native of
Sangamon County, Illinois, and was born November 16, 185 1, being the
son of William DeArmond. This latter named person was born in
Columbia County, Pennsylvania, February 26, 1826, and on February 6,
1851, was married to Miss Adaline Carson, of Sangamon County, Illinois.
In 1855 they, with their family, moved to Ringgold County, Iowa, where
Jacob grew to manhood on a farm, he obtaining the advantages of a
DALE TOWNSHIP. 765
common school education. In 1867 he came with his parents to Atchi-
son County, Missouri, and settled in this township. Mr. DeArmond now
has a farm of 150 acres, well improved, his orchard containing 175 apple,
200 peach and other fruit trees. On the 6th of October, 1872, he was
married in this county to Miss Nancy D. Blanchard, daughter of Walter
and Elvira Blanchard. She was born in DuPage County, Illinois. They
have had four children, but one of whom at present survives : Blanche
A., born July 29, 1874; Maud was born July 1 1, 1876, and died Septem-
ber 19, 1877; William Walter was born August 10, 1878, and died June
30, 1879, and Ada Adaline was born August 10, 1878, and died July 15,
1879. Mr. and Mrs. DeArmond are members of the Baptist Church.
Mr. DeArmond politically is a Republican.
JAMES M. DRAGOO
was born in Brown County, Ohio, April 23, 1846, and is the son of Frank-
lin and Susan Dragoo nee Hawk, who were both natives of Ohio. James
was brought up to habits of industry, working on a farm and attending
the common schools of his native county. He was there married Sep-
tember 22, 1867, to Miss Mary J. Redmon, who was born in Brown County,
Ohio, February 2, 1849, being a daughter of Nevel and Jane Redmon.
In 1870, the subject of this sketch moved to Atchison County, Missouri,
and settled in Clay Township, where he continued to reside for ten years,
then coming to his present location in March, 188 1. Mr. Dragoo has
200 acres of land-in section 7, moderately improved. He is quite exten-
sively interested in raising and feeding stock, in which he is very suc-
cessful. Mr. and Mrs. D. have three children living : Neal F., born
June 17, 1871 ; Clara B., born September 1, 1873, and Susan J., born
June 25, 1876. Two are deceased. Mr. Dragoo is independent in
politics, although his preferences were formerly with the Republican
party.
SHADE FRANKLIN,
one of the leading farmers of Dale Township, was born in Surry County,
North Carolina. July 8, 1832, his parents being John and Nancy A.
(Early) Franklin, who were also natives of that county. In 1832 Shade
accompanied the family on their removal from North Carolina to Ten-
nessee, and settled in Roane County, where they resided some four years,
moving thence to Cass County, Missouri, in the spring of 1837. The
subject of this sketch there passed his boyhood days, and received a
common school education. He also attended for a time the High School
at Lone Jack, and the William Jewell College. In 1853 he commenced
reading law, which, in connection with teaching school, he continued for
seven years. During this time, in 1856, he went to Texas, where
766 HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
he taught school for some eighteen months, after which he began
the practice of law, in Dallas County, where he was located about
one and a half years. In 1859 ne removed to Wayland, Texas, and was
there engaged in the practice of his profession for something over a
year. In i860 Mr. Franklin returned to Holt County, Missouri, and
gave his attention to agricultural pursuits. In February, 1864, he made
a trip to Colorado, but returned in the July following. In the spring of
1865 he moved to Iowa, but after living there one year again came back
to Missouri in 1866, locating this time in Buchanan County, where he
made his home for three years. In 1869 he went to Lafayette County,
but in the spring of 1873 came to his present farm in Dale Township, of
this county. Mr. F. has 200 acres in his home place, well improved,
good residence, etc., located on section 18. He was married in Texas
to Miss Emogen Eddy, daughter of John Eddy. She died October 12,
1866. By this union Mr. Franklin has a family of six children : John
E., Jessie F., Ella J., Anna M., Mattie L. and Benjamin G. He is a
member of the Baptist Church. In politics he is a Democrat, and he
was nominated and elected by his party one of the justices of the peace
of this township at the general election of 1876. In this capacity, he has
continued to serve very acceptably for the past six years.
JAMES R. FREET,
farmer and stock dealer, section 26, was born in Carroll County, Missouri,
October 2, 1845. His father, Joseph Freet, was born in Virginia, and his
mother, Martha Freet, nee Riley, was a native of Indiana. In the fall of
1852 the family moved from Carroll County to Atchison County and set-
tled in Clark Township, where they still reside. They live on the same'
place which they improved, in what is known as Irish Grove. James R.
grew to manhood in this county on a farm. His education was very
limited, being only such as could be obtained while attending school but
a few months in the year. He was married March 24, 1870, in this county,
to Miss Sarah Graves, daughter of Jacob and Ann Graves. She was
born in Spencer County, Kentucky, December 1, 1846. They have two
children : Martha Ann, born January 3, 1871, and Wilber, born October
9, 1879. Mr. and Mrs. Freet are members of the Baptist Church. Mr.
F. has been on his present farm six years. He owns 120 acres of land,
all improved, with an orchard of 100 apple and some cherry trees
besides other fruit. He makes a specialty of the stock business.
WILLIAM FULLERTON,
farmer and stock raiser, section 18, was born in Sciota County, Ohio,
October 14, 1834, being the son of John M. and Lydia Fullerton, nee
DALE TOWNSHIP. 767
Kittle, both Virginians by birth. William spent his boyhood days on
a farm and received a common school education in his native county.
In 1856 he came to Missouri and settled in Holt County, near where he
now resides. There he lived for nineteen years, after which he removed
to Atchison County, locating on his present place, on the county line, in
the fall of 1875. He has eighty acres of land, all improved, with a good
house and a bearing orchard of 240 apple, 400 peach, 100 small budded
trees, besides other varieties of fruit. This locality he has made his
home for twenty-six years and is well known by all the settlers. Decem-
ber 27, 1857, Mr. Fullerton was married in Holt County, to Miss Martha
Thorp, who was born in Pike County, April 2, 1836, and a daughter of
John Thorp. Mr. and Mrs. F. have four children : Sophia K., born April
3, 1861 ; George G., born February 20, 1863 ; Lucy J., born December 18,
1868 ; John W., born January 7, 1872. Mr. Fullerton is independent in
politics.
JOHN S. GIBSON,
was born in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, November 17, 1850, his
parents, Stewart and Mary (Bell) Gibson, also having been natives of
that state. The latter died when John S. was but four years of age. In
1853, the family moved to Decatur County, Indiana, where they lived for
about six years, after which Davis County, Iowa, became their home, in
1859. Young Gibson was raised on a farm, his educational advantages
being very limited. He was a resident of the state of Iowa until 1867,
when he went to Morgan County, Illinois, there engaging in farming and
handling stock. He remained there about nine years, and in 1875 moved
to Buchanan County, Missouri, there resuming farming and the stock
business, which he continued till the spring of 1879, when he came to
this county and settled in Dale Township. Mr. Gibson now owns 83
acres of land, improved, with a comfortable dwelling, located in section
4, and a young orchard. June 5, 1873, his marriage to Miss Ella E. Cor-
ington, daughter of James C. and Mary Corington, occurred in Buchanan
County, Missouri. She was born in Morgan County, Illinois, October 3,
1854. Mr. and Mrs. Gibson have three children : Luella, born March
29, 1874; Emma Isadora, born October 11, 1876, and Mary Inez, born
February 3, 1880. Mr. Gibson is a member of the Odd Fellows order.
In his political preferences he is a Republican.
MYRON A. GILLETT,
section 9, was born September 2, 1826, and is a native of Hartford
County, Connecticut, as were also his parents, Almond and Laura
(Adams) Gillett. His grandfather Gillett was a soldier in the Revolu-
tionary War, and for his services drew a pension. Myron grew to man-
768 HISTORY OF ATCHISON county.
hood on the farm, and for a few months in the year attended the district
school. In 1848, he went to New Jersey, where he spent about three
years, part of the time being engaged in teaching. He also followed the
water as a coaster. After leaving that state he moved to Indiana, and
there learned the trade of millwright, remaining there and in Ohio for
five years, working at his trade. After this he located in Galena, Illi-
nois, in the spring of 1856. For two years Mr. Gillett's time was occu-
pied there and in Wisconsin in carpentering, saw milling and farming.
Coming to Missouri in 1868, he settled in Daviess County, on a farm
where he resided for ten years, after which he came to Atchison County.
He has since lived on his place in this township, and now owns 160 acres
of land, all fenced, and his orchard contains 100 apple, 100 peach and
other fruit trees. December 29, 1858, Mr. Gillett was married at Galena,
Illinois, to Miss Ellen Cutler, daughter of Simon Cutler. She was born
in Windham County, Connecticut, April 24, 1839. Mr. and Mrs. G. have
two children : Alva B., born August 11, 1861, and Stella D., born Janu-
ary 6, 1865. Mrs. Gillett is a member of the Baptist Church, and her
husband of the Methodist Church. He belongs to the Masonic frater-
nity. Politically he is a Republican.
REUBEN P. GORMAN,
section 7, was born in Wyandot County, Ohio, December 7, 1843. His
father, John Gorman, and his mother, formerly Margaret Alden, were
also natives of Ohio. The youth of Reuben P. was passed on a farm,
his education being received in the common schools. During the war
he enlisted in the summer of 1864 in the Seventy-eighth Ohio Infantry,*
and joined Sherman at Marietta, Georgia, remaining with his army till
the close of the war. After being discharged, he returned to Ohio,
where he continued to reside until 1866, when he came west and settled
near Sharp's Grove in Holt County, Missouri. He was occupied in
farming and handling stock in that vicinity until the fall of 1869, when
he settled on his present place in Atchison County. He owns 240 acres
of land, all improved, with a good orchard of 300 apple, 200 peach and
other varieties of fruit trees. He is principally engaged in raising and
feeding stock for the market. Mr. Gorman was married in Holt County,
Missouri, to Miss Margaret Wise, daughter of John Wise. Mrs. G. was
born in Holt County August 18, 185 1. They have three children :
Minerva, born October 3, 1872 ; Anna, born December 18, 1873 ; John,
born April 7, 1876. Politically Mr. G. is a Republican. He is a mem-
ber in good standing of the Masonic order.
GEORGE W. HALL,
farmer and stock raiser, a native of Dayton, Ohio, was born on the 5th
of August, 1847. His parents were Fleming and Elizabeth Hall, nee
DALE TOWNSHIP. 769
Kiser, the latter of Ohio and the former a Virginian by'birth. In 185 1
George accompanied the family to Champaign County, Ohio. He passed
his youth on a farm, and was educated in the common schools. During
the war his father was captured at Strasburg, and died a prisoner at
Lynchburg, Virginia. In the fall of 1865, the mother moved her family
to Christian County, Illinois, and there they resided for nine years, after
which they came west and settled in Dale Township, Atchison County,
Missouri, in the summer of 1874. Mr. Hall has been on his present
place for three years. He has 326 acres of land in his home farm, and
120 acres in another tract, all fenced and improved. An orchard adorns
each place — 200 apple and about fifty other trees of different varieties,
on the latter farm, and 150 peach and 250 apple trees on the home farm.
An abundance of small fruit is on either. Mr. Hall was married March
8, 1868, in Macon County, Illinois, to Miss Rebecca Herring, who was
born in Lebanon County, Pennsylvania, August 28, 1851. Her parents
were John and Mary A. Herring. They have had four children, of whom
two are now living: Cora Lee, born April 8, 1874, and Morris V., born
February 24, 1876 ; Virgil M. was born September 3, 1879, and died
August 1, 1881, and Georgie E., who was born March 27, 1881, died
August 5, 1881. Mr. Hall is a member of the Masonic fraternity. He
is Democratic in his political preferences.
OLIVER HAMILTON,
a native ofGrant County, Indiana, was born December 27, 1839. William
•Hamilton, his father, was born in New York, March 7, 1820, while his
mother, whose maiden name was Drusilla Branson, was a Virginian by
birth, born May 13, 1820. William Hamilton had been married in
Grant County, Indiana, in 1838, after which with his family he moved
and settled in Chillicothe, Missouri, when the town was just laid out.
There they remained but a short time and then went to Huntsville,
Randolph County, where they continued to dwell for some seven years.
Thence to Daviess County and from there to Lawrence County, where
Mrs. Hamilton died shortly after. In the fall of 1856 the subject of this
sketch came to St. Joseph, Missouri, where he worked for two years at
the harness business. In the fall of 1858 he went to Fort Laramie,
remaining there during the winter and in the spring located at Fort
Bridger, Utah, where he spent the summer. In the fall of 1859 ne
returned to Missouri and commenced work on a farm in Atchison
County, and since that time he has been a resident of this locality. In
August, 1877, Mr. Hamilton moved upon his present farm, which con-
tains 160 acres, all improved, and a fair dwelling, etc., located in section
8. He was married September 2, i860, to Miss Melinda S. Pebbley,
daughter of Thomas and Mary Ann Pebbley. She was born in Clay
49
770 HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
County, October 7, 1844. Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton have had eight chil-
dren, six of whom are living: Mary, born October 30, 1862 ; Ellen, born
July 7, 1864; Lucy, born January 3, 1868; William, born March 26,
1874; Lottie, born February 22, 1876, and Charles, born November 2,
1881. Mr. H. is extensively and successfully engaged in handling and
feeding stock. He is independent in politics, but was formerly Demo-
cratic.
JESSE M. HAMMOND,
was born in Perry County, Ohio, April 21, 1848, and is the son of W.G.
and Mary E. (Hatcher) Hammond. The former was a native of Mary-
land, and the latter of Ohio. Jesse grew to manhood on a farm in his
native county, receiving a common school education. In 1870 he came
westward and spent one summer in McDonough County, Illinois, and from
there moved to Nodaway County, Missouri, in 1871, where he purchased
land on or near the Nodaway River, below Skidmore. After living there
three years he came to Atchison County, locating on his present place,
in the fall of 1874. He has a good farm of 160 acres in his home place,
and 80 acres across the line in Nodaway County, all of which has been
improved by himself. He has set out a young orchard of 100 apple, 80
peach and other varieties of trees. February 13, 1873, Mr. Hammond
was martried at Maryville, Missouri, to Jennie E. Wertz, daughter of
Henry Wertz, of this city. They have two children : Nettie May, born
February 27, 1874, and Edmond, born May 18, 1878. Mr. and Mrs. H.
are members of the Methodist Church. Politically he is a Republican.
Mr. Hammond has some good graded cattle, and Poland China hogs on
his farm, which is located on section 9.
HENRY W. HAWLEY,
section II, was born on February 7, 1848, and is a native of Orleans
County, New York. His parents were Edward Hawley, of Ohio, and
Phenelipa Hawley, nee Hibbard, who was born in the State of New
York. About the year 1855 Edward Hawley went to California, since
which time nothing has ever been heard from him. In i860 the family
moved to Jackson County, Michigan. Henry was raised upon a farm
and received his primary education in the common schools, supple-
mented by one term's attendance at South Bend, Indiana. June 28,
1868, he was married in Jackson County, Michigan, to Miss Martha
Beardsley, of that county, born August 2, 1849, an<^ a daughter of
William Beardsley. Mr. and Mrs. H. have four children : Adah, born
April 26, 1869; Willie, born January 15, 1871 ; Frank, born July 10,
1873, and Edwin L., born March 29, 1877. In 1868 Mr. Hawley moved
from Michigan to Fremont County, Iowa, but three months later went to
DALE TOWNSHIP. 771
Nebraska, where he resided some two years. In 1871 he returned to
Michigan and learned the carpenters' trade, and after a period or two
years he again came to Missouri and settled in Craig, Holt County. For
two years he was engaged in working at his trade there, coming thence
to Atchison County and settling in this township. He has eighty acres
of land, all fenced, a good orchard, and he makes a specialty of feeding
stock, with a satisfactory result. He has lived in this place for five
years.
ABRAHAM H. HAYNES
was born March 27, 1827, in Union County, Tennessee. His father,
Isaac Haynes, was born in the same county. Abraham grew to man-
hood on a farm at his birthplace, his educational advantages being very
limited. By self application and hard study he has, in later years,
obtained such a store of knowledge as would do credit to one of far greater
pretentions. In the spring of 1861 he moved from Union County, Ten-
nessee, to Mercer County, Missouri, where he resided for about four
years, going thence to Nodaway County. After sojourning six years in
that county he came to Atchison County, in the spring of 1870, and set-
tled on his present place, section 16, of Dale Township. He owns 200
acres of land, 120 acres of which is improved and adorned with 186
apple and 200 peach trees, also 100 grape vines and smaller fruit. He
is greatly interested in the raising and feeding of stock for market and
has upon his place good graded cattle and Poland China hogs. Mr.
Haynes was married March 18, 1857, in Union County, Tennessee, to
Miss Mary Lay, daughter of James Lay. They have ten children :
Elbert, born January 5, 1858 ; James F., born May 3, 1859 J Thomas M.,
born August 19, 1863 ; Anna A., born July 5, 1865 ; Ibbi O., born August
1, 1867 ; Francis M., born August 10, 1869; Tennessee, born March 27,
1873 ; Ollie B., born December 12, 1874 ; Fred L., born October 20, 1876 ;
William E., born January 23, 1879.
HENRY HICKEY,
a native of Jo. Daviess County, Illinois, was born September 7, 1846.
Edward Hickey, his father, was born in Canada, and was married to
Harriet Porter, a native of Ohio. Henry grew to manhood in his native
county, on a farm, receiving his education in the common schools. In
the spring of 1869 he moved from Illinois to Tremont County, Iowa,
where he was engaged in farming for two years, after which, in the spring
of 1871, he came to Atchison County, Missouri, and settled in this town-
ship. Five years ago, he moved upon his present farm in section 24.
This contains 160 acres, all fenced, with a thrifty orchard of different
varieties of fruit. He makes a specialty of the stock business. October
772 HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
I, 1869, the marriage of Henry Hickey to Miss Mary A. Hamblen
occurred, in Fremont County, Iowa. She is the daughter of Leven and
Mary Hamblen, and was born in Jo. Daviess County, Illinois, August 6,
1848. They have four children : William Harvey, born August 3, 1873 ;
Eldora, born October 29, 1876 ; Cora Ella, born July 22, 1879, and Nancy
D., born September 15, 1881. One child, Walter, who was born Septem-
ber 13, 1870, died November 29, 1871.
CALAWAY HODGES,
section 16, was born in Washington County, Tennessee, December 21,
1844, and is the son of Allen and Louisa (Buckingham) Hodges, also
natives of Tennessee. In 1847, the family moved to Barren County,
Kentucky, where young Calaway was raised, receiving ordinary common
school advantages. When in his seventeenth year, he entered into mil-
itary service, enlisting in Company K, Thirteenth Kentucky Infantry, in
1861, and receiving his discharge in January, 1865. He participated in
several important engagements, among which were the siege of Corinth,
Perryville, and several encounters with Morgan through Kentucky, and
at the siege of Knoxville, where he was wounded through the left shoulder
and breast. After being discharged, he returned to Barren County,
where he lived until the fall of 1868, then ccming west and settling in
Mills County, Iowa. Mr. Hodges was there married, January 14, 1872,
to Miss Margaret Buckingham, a native of Washington County, Tennes-
see, born March 9, 1842. They have one child, Minnie Ville, born
November 29, 1S76. Mr. Hodges continued to reside in Mills County,
Iowa, for eight years, and in the fall of 1875, he came to Atchison County,
Missouri. He has a fine bearing orchard of 100 apple and 100 peach
trees, besides some cherry and plum. In his political preferences he is
a Republican. He is a member of the Masonic order.
FRANCIS HOLBROOK
was born in England, May 25, 1843, his parents being John and Jemima
Holbrook nee Wooley, also natives of England. The subject of this
sketch was reared a farmer at his birth place, receiving a common school
•education. Emigrating to the United States, he landed at New York,
December 24, 1863, but soon moved westward to Bureau County, Illinois,
■where he was engaged in working on a farm by the month. Here Mr.
H. was married September 9, 1864, to Miss Margaret Cies, a native of
Germany. She was born February 13, 1844, but was raised in Illinois.
They have four children living : Eva, born October 23, 187 1 ; Thomas,
born February 22, 1874 ; Jemima, born January 15, 1878, and Maud, born
June 17, 1880. Four are deceased. Mr. Holbrook resided in Bureau County,
DALE TOWNSHIP. 773
Illinois, for seven years, after which he removed to Missouri, and settled
in Dale Township, Atchison County. He has a farm of 80 acres, all
improved, upon the place being fruit of all kinds adapted to this climate.
He has a lease upon 480 acres of land, and is engaged quite extensively
in handling and feeding stock. His residence is on section 5. Mr. and
Mrs. Holbrook are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.
JOHN D. JONES,
section 32, a native of Bath County, Kentucky, was born September 3,
1825, and was the son of James F. Jones, of Fleming County, Ken-
tucky, who was married to Elizabeth Stephens, a native of Bath County,
that state. John D. spent his youth on a farm and attended the common
schools, where he received a fair education, though the greater part of
his knowledge has been obtained in later years by self application. Mr.
Jones was married in Bath County, Kentucky, October 27, 1846, to
Martha Adkins, daughter of Eber Adkins. She was born in Fleming
County, August 26, 1828. In '1847 Mr. Jones moved to Randolph
County, Indiana, where he was engaged in farming and teaching until
1868, when he came to Andrew County, Missouri. During the winter
of 1868-69 ne taught school, and, in the summer of the latter year he
followed agricultural pursuits. In the fall of 1869 Holt County became
his home, where he taught school near Mound City the succeeding
winter. For three years his time was occupied in teaching during the
winter months and farming in the summer season. In 1872 he came to
his present place in this county. The farm as well as the greater por-
tion of this part of country was nearly all unimproved. Mr. Jones now
owns 140 acres of valuable land, all under cultivation, with 110 apple
and 300 peach trees, etc., on the place. In the fall of 1876 he was
elected justice of the peace of Dale Township, which position he has
continued to fill most acceptably for six years. Politically he is a
Republican. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Church.
Mr. and Mrs. Jones have had eight children, of whom seven are living :
Susan E., born October 22, 1847; James L, born October 19, 1849;
Eber A., born January 22, 1852; William F., born March 10, 1857;
Orlando M., born January 20, i860 ; Mary L., born September 20, 1862,
and Francis M., born April 9, 1869. Mr. J. belongs .to the Masonic fra-
ternity.
DANIEL KELLY
was born in Fountain County, Indiana, January 5, 1847, while his father,
John Kelly, was a native of Ireland. Daniel's mother died when he was
but two years old, his father departing this life in 1855. Left an orphan
at this early age, young Kelly grew to manhood on a farm in his native
774 HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
county, where he attended the common schools. In i860 he left there
and moved to Iroquois County, Illinois, coming from that locality to
Holt County, Missouri, in April, 1866. Upon leaving here he went to
Madison County, Iowa, where he fed cattle during the winter of 1866-67,
and in the following spring he moved to Atchison County, Missouri,
settling on his present place. He has a good farm of 80 acre's, improved,
with a good residence and young orchard of 100 apple and some 40 other
trees of different varieties, his location being in section 2. December
29, 1875, the marriage of Mr. Kelly to Miss Sarah Walkup, daughter
of James Walkup, occurred in Atchison County, Missouri. She was
born in Holt County, May 23, 1857. They have two children: James
R., born April 15, 1878, and Frank, born July 25, 1880. Mr. Kelly is
a member of the I. O. O. F. order.
JOHN DAVID KNESS,
section 35, was born in Ross County, Ohio, May 16, 1832. George Kness,
his father, who was in the war of 18 12, was a native of Pennsylvania, as
was also his mother, whose maiden name was Lydia Strawser. In 1837.
the family moved to Sangamon County, Illinois, and after living there
some three years, located in Logan County. One year later, or in Feb-
ruary, 1842, Jefferson County, Iowa, became their home. John D. passed
his youth on a farm, his educational advantages being very limited.
While yet a young man, he spent about four years in traveling over the
different states and territories. July 7, 1853, he was married in Keokuk
County, Iowa, to Mary Jane Webb, who was born in Keokuk County, in
March, 1835, and a daughter of William and Innocent Webb. Mr. and
Mrs. Kness have eight children living: George W., Daniel, Maggie,
Isaac A., Sarah A., John C, Arthur A. and Jerry F. Three children are
deceased : Martha J., Dora C. and Mary Isabelle. After his marriage,
Mr. Kness resided on a farm in Keokuk County, Iowa, for some four
years, when he removed to Kansas, living there for one year. In the
fall of 1859, he returned to Jefferson Count}', Iowa, and after remaining
there about five years, he went to Fort Kearney. Three years later he
went back to Jefferson County, Iowa, living there until 1874, when Holt
County, Missouri, became his home. There he continued to dwell one
year, after which he came to this county, and settled in Dale Township
on his present place. He now owns a farm of 160 acres with a fair house,
and orchard of 300 peach and 130 apple trees, &c. Mr. Kness is Demo-
cratic in politics.
SAMUEL KNEPPER,
a native of Franklin County, Pennsylvania, was born September 1, 1837,
his parents being David and Mary C. (Geesman) Knepper, both of whom
DALE TOWNSHIP, 775
were born in that same county. The latter is still living in her native
county at the advanced age of seventy-one years. The subject of this
sketch passed his boyhood days and received a common school educa-
tion in Franklin County. Upon leaving there in the spring of 1864, he
went to Ogle County, Illinois, where he resided for about six and a half
years, then moving to Atchison County, Missouri, in October, 1870. He
settled on the place where he still resides, and which he improved,
consisting of 160 acres of land all fenced, no acres being under cultiva-
tion. This is located in section 31, and upon the farm are 170 apple, 200
peach and a few cherry trees. During the war Mr. Knepper was in the
service for ten months, in the One Hundred and Fifty-eighth Pennsyl-
vania Infantry. He was married in Franklin County, Pennsylvania,
December 21, 1863, to Miss Mary S. Nicodemus, daughter of John Nico-
demus. She is a native of Virginia, born March 1, 1840. Mr. and Mrs.
K. have had nine children, eight of whom still survive : Charles A.,
born September 12, 1864 ; Franklin S., born November 17, 1865 ; Ida M.,
born December 27, 1866 ; Martha M., born November 5, 1869 ; Jennie M.,
born April 7, 1871 ; Anna E., born May 6, 1875 ; John W., born July ir,
1876 ; Burtie E., born January 20, 1882. Politically, he is a Democrat.
CHRISTIAN KRUSE
was born in Hanover, Germany, March 29, 1843. Henry Kruse, his
father, also a native of Germany, married Gracie Bayling, who was born
in the same country. The youthful days of Christian were passed on a
farm at his birthplace and attending school, in which he received a com-
mon education. When twenty-one years of age, in 1864, he immigrated
to the United States, and for three months stayed in New York City,
after which he settled in Illinois. For five years he was engaged in work-
ing by the month on a farm in DeWitt County, after which he began that
occupation for himself. He continued to live in DeWitt County for thir-
teen years, and in March, 1877,. he purchased his farm in Dale Township,
Atchison County, Missouri, to which he at once moved. He owns a
valuable farm, a large dwelling and an orchard of 300 apple, 200 peach,
and cherry, pear and plum trees. There is also on the place a vineyard
of 400 grape vines and small fruit. He makes a specialty of feeding stock
for the market, with satisfactory results. Mr. Kruse was married April
29, 1874, in DeWitt County, Illinois, to a Miss Miller, who was born in
Hanover, Germany, September 17, 1849, sne being a daughter of B. C.
Miller. They have had three children, of whom Herman H., born Feb-
ruary 25, 1875, and John W., born June 9, 1880, are living, and one
daughter is deceased, she having died June 25, 1880. Mr. and Mrs. K.
are Protestants in their religious preferences. Mr. K. is a Republican
in politics.
776 HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
JOSEPH M. KYLE,
section 6, was born on May 16, 1842, in Delaware County, Indiana, and
is a son of E. D. and Angeline (Grover) Kyle, the former of Clermont
County, Ohio, and the latter of Genesee County, New York. In 1856
the family removed to Howard County, Indiana. Joseph M. Kyle was
raised as a farmer boy, and was the recipient of a common school edu-
cation. August 26, 1861, he enlisted in the Eighth Indiana Cavalry, and
served for nearly four years, being discharged August 9, 1865. During
this time he participated in several important battles, among which were
Shiloh, Corinth, Perryville, Stone River, Chickamauga and Mission
Ridge, besides numerous skirmishes and minor encounters — in all 129
engagements on regimental record, thus acquiring a most enviable
career as a soldier. After being discharged Mr. K. returned to Indiana,
remained there a short time, and in October, 1865, came west and settled
in Jackson County, Missouri, where he engaged in farming. For five
years he continued to live in that locality then went to Cass County in
1870, there embarking in the saw mill business. In 1875 he came to
Atchison County, resumed that industry for two years, and subsequently
became occupied in tilling the soil. He has a farm of 80 acres, all
fenced, and a young orchard of 90 apple and 90 peach, and other fruit
trees. Mr. Kyle was married April 26, 1866, in Jackson County, Missouri,
to a Miss Meador, daughter of Job Meador, and who was born April 29,
1846. Mr. and Mrs. K. have had seven children, six of whom are living
William D., born March 12, 1867 ; Harriet E., born October 16, 1868 ;
Eva, born October 7, 1870; Angeline G., born August 12, 1876, Earl D.,
born December 20, 1879, and Alma I., born July 9, 1881. Mrs. K. is a
member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Mr. K. is independ-
ent in his political views.
DAVID P. KYLE
is a native of Delaware County, Ohio, where he was born October 14,
1844. His father, E. D. Kyle, was born in Clermont County, Ohio, and
his mother, whose maiden name was Angeline Grove, was a native of
Genesee County, New York. About the year 1857, the family moved to
Howard County, Indiana. David passed his youth on a farm, and was
educated in the common schools. March 22, 1862, he enlisted in the
Eighth Indiana cavalry, and was in service for three years, being dis-
charged in June, 1865. He took part in numerous engagements, among
which were the siege of Corinth, battle of Stone River, Chickamauga
and numerous minor encounters. After being discharged, he returned
to Indiana, where he was engaged in the drug business for one year, and
in March, 1856, he came west, locating in Holt County, Missouri. For
DALE TOWNSHIP. J7J
two years he gave his attention to the drug business at Oregon, after
which he engaged in farming, and after making that locality his home
for some time, he came to Atchison County in January, 1876. He then
settled on his present place in section 31, of Dale Township, where he
has 200 acres of land, all fenced and improved, with an orchard of 120
apple trees. Mr. Kyle makes a specialty of handling and feeding stock
for the market. May 29, 1869, he was married in Holt County, to Miss
Lydia J. Anselment, daughter of Joseph Anselment. She was born in
Marion County, Ohio, July 1, 1849. They have had three children, of
whom two survive : Harry D., born June 25, 1872, and Alvaro J., born
January 10, 1874. Mr. and Mrs. Kyle are members of the Methodist
Church. The former is independent in politics, but was formerly a
Republican.
GEORGE W. LITTLER
is a native of Greene County, Ohio, where he was born July 13, 1834,
his parents, Robison and Catherine (Wilkerson) Littler, being Virgin-
ians by birth. George W. was brought up on a farm and for a while
attended the common schools ; however, the greater part of his educa-
tion has been obtained since arriving at maturity and by his own
energy and self application. In 1876 he moved to Darke County,
Ohio, where he resided for three years, then coming to Atchison County,
Missouri, in 1879. He then settled on his place in section 1, and is now
in possession of a fine farm of 320 acres, all under cultivation, with a
good residence, barn, granary, etc. An orchard which adorns the place
contains 150 apple and fifty peach trees, besides cherry, pear and plum
trees. February 28, i860, the marriage of Mr. Littler to Miss Mary J.,
the daugther of James Stillings, occurred in Greene County, Ohio. She
was born in Clinton County, Ohio, January 28, 1835. They have six
children living : Algernon W., born January 2, 1861 ; Rosa A., born
April 14, 1862 ; David R., born February 3, 1864 ; James S., born Octo-
ber 28, 1865 ; Mary Ella, born December 4, 1869, and Josie May, born
January 28, J876. Three are deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Littler are mem-
bers of the Methodist Church. In his political views Mr. Littler is
Republican.
GEORGE W. C. LITTELL
was born in Greene County, Illinois, May 1, 1840. His father, Aaron
Littell, and his mother, formerly Jane Brown, were natives of New
Jersey. In 1843 the family removed to Mason County, Illinois, where
he spent his youth on a farm, attending for a time the common schools.
In the spring of 1874 he came from Mason County to Nodaway County,
Missouri, after having spent the winter in Linn County. Mr. L. resided
in Nodaway County for nearly two years, and in the fall of 1875, came
77% HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
to Atchison County. He was married in Mason County, Illinois, Feb-
ruary 15, i860, to Miss Amanda Robinson, who was born near Manches-
ter, Ohio, June 3, 1842, being a daughter of Dr. William R. Robinson.
They have nine children living : Aaron, born December 31, 1861 ; Mar-
tha A., born March 20, 1863; William R., born September 30, 1864;
Carrie E., born February 3, 1870; Fannie H., born February 20, 1872 ;
Walter B., born March 6, 1874 ; Corwin Pearl, born March 8, 1876 ; Cath-
arine E., born March 1, 1878, and Weaver, born July 12, 1880. During
the war Mr. L. was in service for three years, being a member of Com-
pany C, Second Illinois Cavalry. He was on detached duty most of the
time, and was in numerous engagements. He now owns 690 acres of
land all fenced and improved, with an orchard of 150 apple, 200 peach
and other trees besides an abundance of small fruit. He is successfully
engaged in the feeding of cattle and hogs as well as farming. Politically,
he is independent.
LYMAN Z. LOTSPEICH
was born November 23, 1841, in Menard County, Illinois. Eden Lots-
peich, his father, was born in Ross County, Oh«o, and was married to
Melinda Caldwell, also a native of the state of Ohio. In 1846 they moved
to Des Moines County,Towa, where they still reside. Lyman Z. was
raised in that county, his youth being spent on a farm. His education
was received in the common schools, supplemented with one term's
attendance at the University of Mount Pleasant, Iowa. In 1867 he
moved to Wayne County, Iowa, and was engaged in farming some two
years, after which, in 1870, he went to Corydon County, and commenced I
to learn the blacksmith's trade. At this business he labored for two [
years in that county, when he moved to Hamburg, Fremont County,
Iowa, in the spring of 1872. There he resumed work at his trade, and |
after making his home in that place for six years, he came to Atchison I
County, Missouri, in 1878, and settled on his present place in Dale Town- I
ship, where he has since been carrying on farming and conducting a f
blacksmith shop. He owns eighty acres of land, all fenced, with an
excellent new dwelling, and a small orchard. Mr. L. was married in
Des Moines County, Iowa, September 30, 1868, to Miss Arminda Brown,
daughter of Edward and Sarah Brown. She was born in Des Moines
County, Iowa, in March, 18.50. They have three children : Edward E.,
Charlie C. and Ula M. Mr. and Mrs. Lotspeich are members of the
Advent Christian Church. He belongs to the Masonic order. In poli-
tics he is independent, but was raised a Republican.
JAMES McCASKEY
was born in Wilcox County, Alabama, November 26, 1843. and is the son
of John Adam and Elizabeth McCaskey, nee Lynch, the former a native
DALE TOWNSHIP. 779
of Alabama, and the latter of Georgia. James grew to manhood on a
farm, his opportunities for acquiring an education being exceedingly lim-
ited, he having attended only the subscription school. For nearly three
years he served in the Confederate army, being a member of the Thirty-
eighth Alabama Infantry. He was in several important engagements,
among which were the battles of Lookout Mountain and Mission Ridge.
He was taken prisoner at the latter mentioned place and held as such
for about seventeen months. After the war Mr. McCaskey returned to
Monroe County, and after remaining about seven months he moved to
Sangamon County, Illinois, in the spring of 1866. There he remained
some three years, subsequently going to Fremont County, Iowa, where
he resided till the spring of 1876, when he moved to Atchison County,
Missouri. He has since been a resident of this county and is now the
owner of 100 acres of land, a small orchard, etc., his place being located
in section 32. Mr. McCaskey was married March 7, 1869, in Fremont
County, Iowa, to Miss Sarah Barnard, daughter of Philip and Nancy Bar-
nard. She was born in Sangamon County, Illinois, December 18, 1853.
They have four children : Mary Ida, born December 25, 1869 ; Laura,
born April 16, 1872 ; Stella, born April 26, 1877 ; Lottie, born June 3,
1880. One child, John C, was born January 26, 1875, and died October
9, 1877. Mr. McCaskey is Democratic in politics.
ADOLPHUS McDANIEL,
was born in Atchison County, Missouri, October 12, 1849. His father,
Abel G. McDaniel, and his mother, formerly Susan Swinn, were natives
of Saline County, Missouri. In the spring of 1847, the family moved to
Atchison County, and settled in Clay Township. Young McDaniel grew
to manhood and attended the common schools of his native county, and
in 1877, came to Dale Township, locating on his present farm in section
7, township 64, range 39, about one year ago. He has 160 acres of land
with fair improvements, and is engaged quite extensively in handling
and feeding stock, as well as farming. Mr. McDaniel was married Sep-
tember 26, 1869, to Miss Lucy Ann Angel, daughter of Thomas and
Sarah Angel. She was born in Clay County, Missouri, March 14, 1853.
They have six children : James A., born August 6, 1870 ; Mandy Susan,
born February 24, 1873 ; Bertie R., born October 14, 1875 ; Perry D.,
born February 7, 1878 ; Floyd A., born October 18, 1879 ; Verna L., born
January 25, 1881. Mr. McDaniel in his political preferences is Dem-
ocratic.
ALLEN MANSON
was born in Jefferson County, Ohio, in May, 1827, his parents being
David and Mary Manson, nee Mecance, the former a native of Washing-
y8o HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
ton County, Ohio, and the latter of Pennsylvania. Allen grew to man-
hood on a farm in Coshocton County, Ohio, obtaining very limited
school advantages, having attended the district schools but a few
months. In 1858 he came westward and settled in Clarke County,
Iowa, where he resided until the year 1863, then removing to Caldwell
County, Missouri. There he was engaged in farming for. some eleven
years, when he came to Atchison County, Missouri, in 1874. Here he
remained but a little over one year, when he removed to Barton County
and stayed one summer. In November, 1875, he returned to Atchison
County and has since been a resident of this locality. Mr. Manson has
been on his farm in Dale Township for five years and now owns 240
acres of land, all fenced, with an orchard of 300 apple trees and a few
cherry, pear and plum, besides small fruit. He is quite extensively
engaged in feeding cattle for the market. On the 27th of November,
185 1, Mr. M. was married in Ohio to Miss Jane Gracy, and by this union
there were two children, one of whom survives, William A., born Sep-
tember 20, 1832. Mrs. Manson died in Clarke County, Iowa, March 14,
i860. Mr. M. was again married November 27, 1862, to Miss Sarah A.
Spurlock, a native of Indiana, and a daughter of John Spurlock. He
resides on section 9.
LUKE MOONEY,
was born in Canada West, September 14, 1844. James Mooney, his
father, was a native of Ireland, and was married to a Miss Millmo, who
was born in England. The subject of this sketch was raised on a farm
in his native country, and was educated in the common schools.- In
1865, he immigrated to the United States, and was engaged in working
by the month on a farm in Iowa for some two years. In July, 1868, he
came to Atchison County, Missouri, and labored on a farm in Clark
Township for two years. Mr. Mooney was married September 17, 1870,
to Miss Sarah E. Hinderman, daughter of John and Nancy Hinderman.
She was born in Nebraska, February 17, 1853. After his marriage he
settled in Clark Township, where he lived for some eighteen months,
and then moved to Clay Township, where he was engaged in farming
for three years. In the spring of 1879, ne came to his present location,
section 7, township 64, range 39, and now owns 160 acres of land, all
fenced, with a fair house and thrifty orchard. He devotes considerable
attention to stock feeding, in which he is very successful. Mr. and Mrs.
Mooney have had four children : James W., born February 15, 1872 ;
Oscar S., born November 6, 1875 ; Frederick C, born September 4, 1877 ;
Charles O., born August 19, 1881. The latter two are deceased. Mr.
M. is Republican in his political preferences.
DALE TOWNSHIP. 78 1
THOMAS J. PAYNE,
section 30, was born in Wayne County, Indiana, January 6, 1850, being
a son of William and Mary (Miller) Payne, the former a native of Union
County, Ohio, and the latter of Indiana. In 1852 the family moved to
Tipton County, Indiana, but returned to Wayne County in i8S7- After
residing there some three years they went to Randolph County in the
fall of i860, making this their home for eight years, after which, in 1868,
they removed to Van Buren County, Michigan. Thomas J. Payne
passed his youth on a farm, and received his education in the common
schools. In 1871 he came to Atchison County, Missouri, where for one
summer he was occupied in farming, after which he returned to Van
Buren County in the fall of that year. In 1874 he again located in this
county, and in the spring of 1879 moved upon his present place in Dale
Township. He has 40 acres of land, and a thrifty young orchard.
March 26, 1879, Mr. Payne was united in marriage in Holt County to
Miss Ellen Meyer, daughter of John Meyer. She was born in Holt
County May 6, 1859. Mr. and Mrs. P. have one child, Edith Meyer,
born July 15, 1880. They are members of the Presbyterian Church.
During the war he served for nine months in the Nintieth New York
Infantry. He is Republican in politics, but was formerly a Democrat.
Mr. Payne's grandfather, Miller, was a soldier of the war of 18 12. He
died in December, 1881, in Wayne County, Indiana.
TIMOTHY H. PROUD,
a native of Fayette County, Ohio, was born March 31, 1836. John Proud,
his father, who was born in Ross County, Ohio, married Sarah H. King,
a native of Fayette County, of that state. In 1849 the family moved to
Howard County, Indiana, where they lived until 1864, then emigrating
to Holt County, Missouri, and settling near Oregon, where they still
reside. The youth of the subject of this sketch was passed on a farm,
receiving a common school education. In 1871 he removed from Holt
County to his present place in section 34, of Dale Township, Atchison
County, and is now the owner of 160 acres of good land, there being on
his farm an orchard of 100 apple, 700 peach and other fruit trees. Mr.
Proud was married October 30, 1859, in Fayette County, to Miss E. E.
Goldsberry, daughter of Amos Goldsberry. She is a native of Ross County,
but was raised in Fayette County. Mr. and Mrs. Proud have had seven
children, six of whom are living : Emmerson T., born September 9, i860;
Anna W., born October 9, 1864 ; Sarah A., born May 20, 1866; Samuel
E., born November 12, 1867 ; Jessie B., born October 10, 1869, and Clark
W., born October 6, 1872. Mr. and Mrs. Proud are members of the Cum-
berland Presbyterian Church. In his political preferences Mr. P. is
Republican-
782 HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
SAMUEL W. PROUD,
section 30, was born on the nth of March, 1844, in Fayette County,
Ohio. His father, John Proud, and also his mother, formerly Sarah
King, were natives of Ohio. In 1849 Samuel W. accompanied his parents
to Howard County, Indiana. He was raised on a farm and for a time
attended the common schools, though the greater part of his education
was obtained by self application, after reaching his maturity. During
the war he served for three years, enlisting when seventeen years of age,
in the Thirty-fourth Indiana Infantry. His regiment was known as the
Morton Rifle Regiment. While he was in the service his father moved
his family to Holt County, in 1863, and, after his discharge, at the close
of the war, Samuel W. Proud came to Holt County, settling near Ore-
gon. There he resided until the spring of 1870, when he removed to
Atchison County, and located on .his farm in this township. He has 138
acres of land, all under fence, with a good new dwelling and young
orchard. Mr. Proud was married in Holt County, May 1 1, 1867, to Miss
Margaret Thorp, who was born in Randolph County, Indiana, July 4,
1843. They have two children : Luella B., born August 20, 1870, and
Dollie E., born February 26, 1873. Mr. Proud is Republican in politics.
HARVEY QUINN
was born in Xenia, Ohio, September 5, 1829, and was the son of John
Quinn, a native of Louisville, Kentucky, and Rachel Quinn, nee Nash,
who was born in Pennsylvania. In 1831 they moved to Warren County,
Illinois, where Harvey was raised on a farm, and attended the common
schools. In 1856 he went to ButlerCounty, Iowa, and was there engaged
in farming for two years, after which he embarked in the hotel business
in Applington in 1859. This he continued until the 15th of August,
1861, when he enlisted in the Dubuque Light Artillery, which was
attached to the Ninth Iowa Infantry. He remained in service for some-
thing over four years, and was in several important engagements, among
which were the battles of Pea Ridge, Helena, Little Rock, Arkansas
Post, Pleasant Hill and several minor skirmishes. After the war, he
returned to Iowa in October, 1865. Mr. Quinn was married March 28*,
1866, in Butler County, Iowa, to Miss Amanda M. Bisbee, daughter of
Elisha and Mary Bisbee. She was born in the State of New York, Sep-
tember 3, 1836. Mr. Quinn resided in Butler County, engaged in farming
until 1870, when he came to Atchison County, Missouri, in the fall of
that year, settling in Dale Township, on his present place. He has a
valuable farm of 205 acres, improved, with fair buildings, etc., and a
bearing orchard of 150 apple and 100 peach trees, besides other fruit.
Mr. and Mrs. Quinn have had three children, only one of whom is living :
DALE TOWNSHIP. 783
John Arthur Lee, born May 25, 1874. Mrs. Q. is a member of the Pres-
byterian Church, and he of the Christian Church. In politics he is a
staunch Republican.
THOMAS N. QUINN,
section 31, a native of Warren County, Illinois, was born July 28, 1845.
John Quinn, his father, who was born in Louisville, Kentucky, married
Miss Rachel Nash, a Pennsylvanian by birth. In 1857 the family
removed to Butler County, Iowa. Thomas N. passed his early days
upon a farm and received a common school education. The year 1867
he spent in Hardin County, but came from Butler County, Iowa, to
Atchison County, Missouri, in the fall of 1870, locating on his farm in
Dale Township in March, 1871. Mr. Quinn owns eighty acres of
land with neat surroundings and a good bearing orchard. He was mar-
ried in Hardin County, Iowa, September 14, 1870, to Miss K. A. Taylor,
daughter of O. P. Taylor. She was born in Pennsylvania in November,
1845. They have two children : Glenn Arthur, born September 1, 1871,
and Grace Agnes, born November 17, 1875. Mr. and Mrs. Quinn are
members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. In his political
preferences he is independent, but was brought up a Republican.
HIRAM STEFFEY,
was born in Berks County, Pennsylvania, July 2, 1847, ar>d was the son
of Benjamin and Elizabeth (Burkett) Steffey, who were both natives of
Pennsylvania. In 1849, tne family removed to Ohio, where they lived
for some seven years, then going to Fulton County, Indiana, in 1856,
where they still continue to dwell. Hiram grew to manhood on a farm,
and received such an education as the common schools afforded. In
February, 1865, he enlisted in the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth Regiment
Indiana Infantry, and served until August of the same year, when he was
honorably discharged. September 7, 1871, occurred the marriage of Mr.
Steffey to Octavia True, daughter of Nelson True. She was born in Ful-
ton County, Indiana, May 2, 1845. Mr. and Mrs. S. have one child,
Leona, born July 28, 1872. About the close of the war, Mr. Steffey
returned to Indiana, where he remained some six years working on a
farm, after which, in 1871, he came to Warren County, Missouri. In the
spring of 1872, he located in Atchison County. He now has a farm of
seventy-three acres in section 18, township 63, range 39, all improved,
and an orchard of 1 10 apple, 100 peach and other fruit trees, besides
some grapes. He is a very enterprising farmer.
JOSHUA W. STEVENSON,
section 29, a native of Warren County, Ohio, was born December 7, 1843,
his parents being George and Charlotta Stevenson, nee Ward, who were
784 ■ HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
also born in Ohio. Joshua accompanied them to Randolph County,
Indiana, in 1852, where he was reared, attending the common schools
during the winter months. September 1, 1861, he enlisted in the Thirty-
sixth Indiana Infantry, and was in the service for eighteen months, par-
ticipating in several important battles, among which were Perryville and
Murfreesboro ; he was wounded at Stone River, Tennessee. After being
honorably discharged February 26, 1863, he returned to Randolph County,
where he was engaged in farming for seven years. In 1870, Mr. S. emi-
grated westward and settled in Nodaway County, Missouri, where he
was occupied in tilling the soil for two years, after which he came to
Atchison County. In the spring of 1872, he settled on his present place
in Dale Township, and now has in his possession 239 acres of valuable
land, all fenced, and a most excellent orchard of 184 apple, and some 800
bearing peach trees. Mr. Stevenson was married December 9, 1865, in
Randolph County, to Miss Nancy E. Botkin, who died November 11,
1866. He was again married November 14, 1869, in Randolph County,
to Miss Rachel A. Hunt, daughter of Miles Hunt. Mr. and Mrs. Steven-
son have two children : George Tipton born November 21, 1871, and
Mary Emma, born January 30, 1874. Mr. S. is a Republican in politics.
ADAM S. TIMERMAN,
a native of Jefferson County, New York, was born July 19, 1828. His
father, Marcus Timerman, as was also his mother, whose maiden name
was Catherine Smith, was born in Herkimer County, New York.
Adam S. passed his boyhood days on a farm, receiving a liberal educa-
tion at the Jefferson County Institute and the Hartwick Seminary,
which school was under the charge of the Lutheran denomination.
He attended that college for about three years and was licensed to
preach by this church in 1862, being ordained in 1864. In 1862 Mr.
Timerman went to Illinois, where he was engaged as minister at Jack-
son for five years, and in 1867 he moved to Marshal County. In the fall
of 1869 he came to Atchison County and settled on a farm in Dale
Township. He has been twice married, first, in Jefferson County, New
York, in March, 1864, to Miss Mary J. Ford, daughter of Alexander
Ford. She died in Atchison County, February 17, 1874. In May of
that year Mr. T. went to California on a business trip, remaining for
about eighteen months, when he returned to this county in December,
1876. Soon after this, on December 17, he was again married to Miss
Ann B. Hanger, daughter of Matthias Hanger. She was born in Ger-
many, July 23, 1849. Her family emigrated to the United States when
she was a child and settled in Indiana. Mr. and Mrs. Timerman have
three children : Herman, born September 8, 1877; Percis Emma, born
August 16, 1879, and Lillie R., born April 17, 1881. Mr. Timerman has
DALE TOWNSHIP. 785
eighty acres of land, all improved, with a variety of small fruits and a
good bearing orchard on the place. He resides on section 16. Politi-
cally he is a Republican.
JOSEPH TYSON,
farmer and sheep raiser, was born in England in 1805, and was the son
of John Tyson and Jennie Tyson, {nee Cooksie), also natives of that
country. Joseph was educated in the common schools, and in 1855 he
emigrated to the United States and settled in Shelby County, Illinois,
where he resided for fifteen years, after which he came to Atchison
County, Missouri. He then located on his present place in Dale Town-
ship, where he has been extensively engaged in farming and stock rais-
ing for the last twelve years. Mr. Tyson has 1,800 acres of land, all
under fence, with about 600 acres in cultivation. He is engaged very
extensively in the breeding and raising of fine Merino sheep, of which he
has at the present time 1,600 head. He also has some thoroughbred
Short Horn cattle and Poland China hogs. There is on the place a fine
bearing orchard of some 500 apple, 200 peach, and other fruit trees. Mr.
Tyson is one of the heaviest landowners in the county, and all his farm-
ing interests are conducted on a large scale. He is a representative citi-
zen of this vicinity, and one honored by all. Mr. T. was married in
England in 1838, to Miss Ann Fleming, also a native of England. Mr.
and Mrs. Tyson have eight children : Jane, Mary, John, James, Joseph,
Isaac, Thomas and William.
BRUCE WALKER
was born in Beaver County, Pennsylvania, August 18, 1828. Isaac Wal-
ker, his father, was a native of Massachusetts, and married Miss Jane
Reno, who was born in Pennsylvania. In 1839 the family removed to
Dearborn County, Indiana. Bruce was raised on farms in Beaver and
Dearborn Counties, receiving ordinary common school advantages. In
' 1847 he entered the Mexican war, under Colonel Brough, in the Fourth
Ohio, the captain being George E. Pugh. He remained in service for
about ten months, and during that time was through Mexico, obtaining
a very thorough knowledge of the country. After being discharged he
settled in Mason County, Illinois, in the spring of 1848, where he resided
for about twenty-six years. Mr. Walker then came to his present place
in Atchison County, Missouri, in 1874, and here he has a fine farm of 400
acres in his home place and eighty acres in Nodaway County. All the
land is under fence and improved, there being a good dwelling house
and orchard of 325 apple and twenty-five cherry trees, with about 300
grapes and some small fruit. At that time this part of the country was
almost a wilderness,, while now excellently improved farms appear on
50
y86 history of atchison county.
every side. Mr. Walker was married May 2, 1850, in Mason County,
Illinois, to Miss Mary A. Appleman, who was born in New Jersey, Jan-
uary 2, 1824, being a daughter of John Appleman. They have five
children : Lewis R., born October 11, 1854 ; Anna Augusta, born April
2, 1857 ; Lydia M., born December 21, 1862 ; Marietta, born March 23,
1866, and Harry B., born July 8, 1870. Mr. and Mrs. Walker are mem-
bers of the Old School Presbyterian Church. In politics he stands inde-
pendent, but was formerly a Democrat.
LEWIS E. WILSON,'
was born December 17, 1843, m Loraine County, Ohio, while his father,
William, was a native of England. His mother, whose maiden name was
Elvira Clisbe, was born in Cleveland, Ohio. The youthful days of Lewis
were passed on a farm in his native county, he receiving the benefits
of a common school education. In 1869, he immigrated west, and settled
in Fremont County, Ohio, where for three years he was engaged in farming.
In the spring of 1872, he came to Atchison County, Missouri, locating in
Dale Township, where, on section 4, township 64, range 39, he now owns a
farm of 250 acres, mostly in cultivation. His orchard is young and
thrifty. August 23, 1873, occurred the marriage of Mr. Wilson to Miss
May Carney, a daughter of Thomas and Phebe Carney. She was born
in Shelby County, Indiana, August 23, 1853. They have had four chil-
dren : Burton E., born June 2, 1874; Everett E., born May 22, 1875 ;
Guy W., born May 19, 1877, and Roy, born December 24, 1880. Mrs.
Wilson is a member of the Methodist Church. Mr. W. makes a specialty
of handling and feeding stock, in which he is quite successful.
JAMES H. WILLIAMS,
one of the leading farmers and early settlers of Atchison County, is a
native of Lafayette County, Missouri, where he was born, April 16,
1846, his parents being Harvey and Caroline Williams, nee Culp. The
former was born in North Carolina, and the latter in Germany. In 1849
they removed to Missouri and settled in Atchison County, being among
the first to locate here. The subject of this sketch was brought up on a
farm and received such an education as the common schools afforded.
In the spring of 1882 he came upon his present place in Dale Township,
where he has 260 acres of land, mostly improved, with a good house and
orchard. There is upon the premises an abundance of small fruit. He
is quite extensively and profitably engaged in the stock business, rais-
ing and feeding large quantities. His farm is in section 10. Mr.
Williams was married June 3, 1866, to Miss Rachel Van Gundy, daughter
of John and Leah Van Gundy. She was born on the 15th of November,
DALE TOWNSHIP. 787
1849, an<3 is a native of Ross County, Ohio. They have six children :
Jennie L., born November 5, 1869 ; Clara F., born August 20, 1871 ;
Foster G., born August 29/1873: Luverna O., born March 15, 1876;
Senator Floyd, born October 3, 1878, and an infant daughter, born July
17, 188 1. Mrs. Williams is a member of the Methodist Church. Politi-
cally he is a Democrat. He belongs to the Masonic order.
JOSEPH WEISENBERGER
was born June 7, 1842, in Baden, Germany, and was the son of Mathew
and Magdalene (Houser) Weisenberger, who were both Germans by
birth. Joseph's youth was spent on a farm and in attending the common
schools of his native land. Emigrating to the United States, he landed
at New York on August 27, 1865, and there lived for one and a half years,
working by the month. He then came west and stopped in Chicago,
where he was employed in a livery stable for three months. On leaving
Chicago Mr. Weisenberger went to McLean County, Illinois, where he
engaged to labor on a farm. He continued to reside in this and Taz-
well Counties until 1871, when he came to Missouri, locating in Atchison
County. In March, 1877, he moved upon his present and now valuable
farm of 80 acres of improved land, there being upon it a fair dwelling,
barn and orchard- June 7, 1874, Mr. Weisenberger was married to Miss
Augusta Herdenreich, who was born in Germany, November 1, 1856.
They have had four children, of whom two are now living : Ernest J.,
born September 3, 1867, and Anna May, born June 21, 1878. Emma was
born April 15, 1875, and died August 5, of the same year ; Elenora was
born July 6, 1880; she departed this life August 10, 1881.
WILLIAM H. WRIGHT,
section 31, was born in Randolph County, Indiana, August 16, 1840.
His father, Empson Wright, was a Virginian by birth, while his mother,
whose maiden name was Rachel Ruble, was a native of North Carolina.
The youth of William H. was spent on a farm in his native county and
in learning the carpenters' trade, he having commenced the study of
that occupation in 1859, or when nineteen years of age. This he con-
tinued for two years. In 1861 he enlisted in the Third Indiana Cavalry
and served for three years, taking part in numerous engagement,?,
among which were the battles of Corinth, Stone River, Chickamauga,
Mission Ridge, and several encounters about Atlanta. He was dis-
charged in the fall of 1864, when he returned to Randolph County, Indi-
ana, there being occupied at his trade for about five years. In the fall
of 1869 he moved to Holt County, Missouri, engaged in farming for one
year, and then came to Atchison County, Missouri, settling on his pres-
788 HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
ent place in Dale Township in the fall of 1870. Mr. Wright has a good
farm of 228 acres of improved land, a good house, and an orchard con-
taining 104 apple, 300 peach and cherry trees. He has some thorough-
bred Short Horn cattle and Poland-China hogs, of a high grade. Mr.
Wright was married January 31, 1865, in Randolph County, Indiana, to
Miss Letetia Mercer, daughter of John Mercer. She is a native of
Preble County, Ohio, and was born January 1, 1845. Mr. and Mrs.
Wright have five children : Laura Edna, born June 15, 1868 ; Mary
Emma, born May 12, 1870; Bertha Florence, born October 6, 1875 ;
Thomas Clyde, born August 13, 1880, and Hester Olive, born February
10, 1882. Mr. W. is Republican in politics.
CHAPTER XII.
LINCOLN TOWNSHIP.
BOUNDARIES-TOPOGRAPHY-TIMBER-BRIDGES— EARLY SETTLERS— CHURCHES —WEST.
BORO-BUSINESS DIRECTORY— SECKET ORDERS— CHURCHES-SCHOOLS-POPULA-
TION—PIONEERS OF THE TOWN-BIOGRAPHICAL.
LINCOLN TOWNSHIP.
At the regular November term, held November 22, 1871, it was
" ordered that Tarkio Township in Atchison, County, Missouri, be
divided into two parts, and the territory thus stricken off, be called Lin-
coln Township, and bounded as follows, to wit : Commencing on the
southeast corner of section 33, township 66, range 38, at the eastern
boundary of Atchison County, aforesaid, thence west on the south line
of said township to the southwest corner of section 34, in township 66,
range 40 ; thence north to the state line, thence east along said state
line to the northeast corner of section 33, township 67 range 38, thence
south along the east line of said county to the place of beginning.
The township of Lincoln is thus bounded on the north by the State
of Iowa ; on the east by Nodaway County, Missouri ; on the south by
Tarkio Township, and on the west by Polk Township. Its form is that
of a rectangular parallelogram, measuring twelve miles east and west by
seven miles north and south, and including eighty-four square miles.
TOPOGRAPHY.
Though a prairie district, properly, Lincoln Township is not with-
out its groves of valuable timber. These, which are generally inter-
spersed throughout the limits of the same, are, however, generally found
on the banks of, or in the immediate neighborhood of the streams and
water courses by which its surface is veined. Tarkio Creek, flowing in a
due southwardly direction from the state of Iowa, enters Atchison County,
Missouri, in section 31, township 6j, range 39, of Lincoln Township ;
bending thence to the westward it enters section 1, of township 66, range
40, on the east side of the northeast quarter, and flows in a southwest-
wardly direction, through the northern part of section 12, from near the
center of which it flows in a nearly due southerly course, through sec-
tions 13, 24, 25 and 36, from which latter it enters Tarkio Township.
790 HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
Middle, fork of Tarkio, rising in the state of Iowa, enters Atchison
County, Missouri, in section 34, township 67, range 39, whence it flows
in a southerly direction, entering township 66, range 39, in section 3,
whence flowing westward into section 2, it bends to the southwest
through the northwest corner of section 11, and onward, in a generally
southwesterly direction, through sections JO, 16, 21, 29 and 31, from the
center of the southern boundary of which latter section it enters Tar-
kio Township.
East Tarkio, a stream of considerable volume, flowing in a southerly
direction from the state of Iowa, enters Lincoln Township, in Atchison
County, Missouri, near the northwest corner of section 32, township 67,
range 38 ; after traversing which, and entering section 5, of township 66,
range 38, it flows in a generally southwesterly course, through sections
6,7 and 18, into and through sections 13, 24, the northwest corner of
2.5, and through sections 26, 35 and 34, of township 66, range 39, into
Tarkio Township.
Besides these three principal streams, which divide the township
into four nearly equal districts, not less than a dozen tributaries of the
same vein the surface of Lincoln Township, affording an abundant and
inexhaustible supply of stock water.
TIMBER.
As before stated, Lincoln Township includes within its limits several
groves of timber. The most northern of these is embraced in portions
of sections I, 6, 31 and 32, embracing in its area considerably over 800
acres, and extending into the borders of the state of Iowa. In the south-
western corner of the township, lying chiefly in section 34, township 66,
range 40, and extending westward into the adjoining section 35, is a
grove of 400 or 500 acres of timber. Along the line of the Tarkio, in
sections 13, 24, 25, and 36, chiefly on the left or east bank of that stream
is a belt of timber varying in width from one fourth to one and a half
miles in width. In sections 29, 31, and 32, in the southern part of the
township and generally on the east side of Middle Tarkio Creek, is a
body of timber including not less than 1,200 acres. Timber in Lincoln
Township, in small quantities is found in sections 17, 18, 13 and 24,
township 66, range 39, on both sides of and along the banks of East Tar-
kio, and also on the waters of Long Branch, a tributary of East Tarkio,
in sections 19, 20, 29 and 30, township 66, range 39, within two miles of
the Nodaway County line.
BRIDGES.
The bridges which cross the streams flowing through the area of
Lincoln Township and into adjoining townships, are thirty and one-half
LINCOLN TOWNSHIP. 79 1
in number. These, in common with those in other portions of the
county, are of various sizes. The exact location, size and character of
these bridges will be found in the chapter entitled Bridges.
LINCOLN TOWNSHIP DIVIDED.
*
At the regular term of the county court of Atchison County, held
November 25, 1871, it was ordered that Lincoln Township be divided
into two election precincts, as follows : Commencing at the northwest
corner of the northeast quarter of section 32, township 67, range 29 ;
thence south to the southwest corner of section 32, township 66, range
39. That portion on the east side to be called " East Tarkio Precinct,"
and that on the west side of said line to be called " West Tarkio Pre-
cinct."
EARLY SETTLERS.
Among the earliest settlers of Lincoln Township were Ambrose
Ripley and Isaac Lebo, who emigrated from Tennessee in the spring of
1844, and settled in what was afterwards and since known as Waldren's
Grove. This grove is located some miles from the present town of
Westboro. They settled in the timber, as all early pioneers did, broke
eight or ten acres of ground and built their cabins, which were noticea-
ble because of the chimney to each stood at the corner of the building.
After two or three years, Lebo went to Oregon, where he remained.
Ripley moved to Kansas, where he died.
William Daniel came from Jackson County in the summer of 1844
and arrived in Atchison County, Missouri, on the 4th day of July of that
year. With his wife and one child, he traveled by land and water, com-
ing from Brunswick, Missouri, to Weston on steamboat, and from the
latter place by land. There was only one business house in St. Joseph
when he came through — the store of Robidoux. He located on section
31, township 67, range 39, in Waldren's Grove. His nearest neighbors
were Ripley and Lebo, mentioned above. Like them, he cleared five or
six acres in the timber and raised a small crop of corn the following
spring. At that time supplies were meagre, and at an inconvenient
distance from those who had settled in this portion of the county. The
nearest point or trading post to Waldren's Grove was English Grove,
about twenty miles away. Mr. Daniel often carried provisions from
English Grove to his home on his back, walking the entire distance..
This however was not at that early day considered a very great hard-
ship, as the roads were very indifferent and horses were scarce. Oxen
were used almost exclusively in plowing, hauling, and even traveling.
In breaking ground they were thought to be indispensable.
792 HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
Edward Curry settled on the Bennett place, four miles southwest of
Westboro. He went to California in 1849, returned in 185 1 to Atchison
County, and started again to California in 1852, and died on the
plains.
David Price, from Kentucky, was also one of the earliest settlers of
Lincoln Township, locating two miles below the present town site of
Westboro.
H. H. Caudle, who was also a Kentuckian, arrived in the spring of
1844, and located in what was afterwards known as McCollister's or
Bailey's Grove.
James Bailey came frorn East Tennessee in the spring of 1845, and
settled also in Bailey's Grove, about six miles southwest of Westboro.
Aaron Graves, from Kentucky, settled what was known as Grave's
Grove.
In the fall of 1844, Alfred Kimes emigrated from Indiana, and set-
tled in the northern limits of what is known as Center Grove. Mr.
Kimes now lives in Nebraska.
James Roberts was from Indiana, and settled in Lincoln Township,
in the fall of 1844. He is now dead.
S. F. Roberts, also from Indiana, located at Center Grove in the fall
of 1845, near the eastern limits of the grove, and about five miles from
Westboro.
John P. Dunham came from Johnson County, Indiana, and
James was also from the same state, whence he came in the fall of 1844.
In East Lincoln Township, some of the original settlers were from
South Carolina. Samuel • Pettigo and Smith were from that state.
Among others from Indiana (Marion County) was William Sawyer,
who came at a later date, and settled in Center Grove. Indiana was,
perhaps, more largely represented in the early settlement of Lincoln
Township than any other state. There were a few English and a few
Germans. John, Thomas and William Zellers came from England and
located at Waldren's Grove, about six miles northwest of Westboro.
These pioneers all preferred the timbered districts, and opened out
their farms at first in and along the edges of the groves, never dreaming
or thinking that the prairie soil was equal in fertility to the timbered
lands, nor did they think that a farm could be made with half the labor,
on the broad, treeless prairie that was required to make a farm from land
on which stood a heavy growth of timber.
FRUIT.
There are perhaps, from twenty to thirty bearing apple orchards in
the township, which will, including the young orchards, which are now
growing, furnish an abundant supply of most excellent fruit.
LINCOLN TOWNSHIP. 793
CHURCHES.
The most important churches of the township, are located at the
different groves ; Weslyan Methodist Church, at Waldren's Grove, has
been organized some fifteen or twenty years. The pastor, Rev. James
Lytle, organized the church, and still preaches for the congregation.
He now resides in Fremont County, Iowa. Among the pioneer mem-
bers of this church, are Edgerton Peck, Wm. Daniel, George and Brown
Wilkerson, James Teague, David Peck, John Essie, Sidney Scrampton
and others.
The Baptists hold services at Moulton's School House, in East Lin-
coln Township, and the Christians at Center Grove school house.
MILLS AND POST OFFICES.
There is one mill (grist) within the limits of the township located
about a mile south of the Iowa line, on the East Tarkio Creek, and is
known as Schultz's Mill. There is a post office called Powelton Post
Office, Ed. F. Powell, Postmaster.
WESTBORO.
In no country, outside of a few districts in Colorado, has the growth
of towns been so remarkable in so short a space of time, as in Atchison
County, along the line of the Tarkio Valley Railroad. This railroad,
one of the branches of the Kansas City, St. Joseph and Council Bluffs
Road, was completed through the county in 1881, but scarcely had it
commenced running its trains when there sprang up, along its track,
three towns, which, for beauty of location and thrifty growth are, per-
haps, unrivaled by any other towns or settlements along its line. These
are Westboro, Tarkio and Fairfax, and will be mentioned in the history
of the townships to which they properly belong. At present we shall
speak of Westboro. The town was laid out on part of the northeast
quarter of section 10, township 66, range 38, the land upon which it was
located being the property of Charles E. Perkins. It is well situated,
the town site gently sloping toward the east, and is about midway
between the east and west Tarkio Creeks, the middle prong of the Tar-
kio flowing just east of the town. The country surrounding Westboro
is one of the best agricultural regions in the county, and is especially
prolific of grain and live stoek, as the shipments for 1881 from that point
amply testify.
BUSINESS DIRECTORY.
Buck, O. W., drugs and medicines.
Bowers & Cox, groceries.
794 HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
Coe, Alma J., postmistress.
Coulder, James, drugs and medicines.
Dunlap, D. R., general merchandise.
Davis, J. W., hardware.
Davis, William, blacksmith.
Davis, Henry, barber.
Frampton, Isaac, groceries.
Granger, James W., hotel.
Herman, Eli, blacksmith.
Hambleton, physician and surgeon.
Kime, William, clothing.
Lytle, Job D., hotel.
McCain, W. E., millinery.
Palmer, George & Co., lumber.
Safford, W. G., physician and surgeon.
Sawyer, Howard & Co., general merchandise.
Sawyer & Wright, bankers.
Scranton, I. W., restaurant.
Smith, Frederick, saddlery and harness.
Sapp, E. W., livery stable.
Sollider, J. M., depot agent.
Ustick & Sandell, general merchandise.
Van Leuvan, Anson, saloon and billiards.
Woodward, T. A., real estate and broker.
Wright, T. J., justice of the peace.
Wood, Aaron, hotel.
SECRET ORDERS.
There are no secret orders in Westboro at the present time ; the
Masonic order will, however, soon have an organization.
CHURCHES.
The Methodist Episcopal Church, erected a neat frame building in
1881, which cost about five hundred dollars. Rev. Houston is the pastor
in charge. The church was organized with the following members : D.
R. Dunlap and wife, Mr. and Mrs. I. W. Scranton, Mr. and Mrs. Edgej*-
ton Peck, Mr. and Mrs. N. S. Davis, Mr. and Mrs. John Filson, Mr. and
Mrs. Charles Hurst, Mr. and Mrs. Dr. W. A. Packard, Mr. and Mrs.
McCain, Ed. Savage and others, and has now a membership of about
thirty-five.
The Christians and Presbyterians each have an organization, and
hold services in the M. E. Church building.
LINCOLN TOWNSHIP. 795
SCHOOLS.
There is no school taught in the town. The schools, however, of
the townships, are seven in number, and are in a flourishing condition.
POPULATION.
The town contains a population of two hundred and ten souls, rep-
resenting an enterprising and intelligent people, who look forward to
the time when Westboro will rank second to no other tewn on the line
of the railroad.
PIONEERS OF THE TOWN.
Frank Lowe, Esq., erected the first house in Westboro — a small
board house for a grocery. This building now stands on the same lot
where it was first put up, at the end of Main Street, on the south side.
The second building was erected by J. Q. Morris, on the corner of
Main and Adams Streets, and is now being repaired and remodeled for
a bank. The third house was built by E. D. Credit, for a blacksmith
shop. These buildings, and all others in the town are frame.
SOUTH BLANCHARD AND BERNICE CITY.
These two towns are at the northern extremity of the township
line and upon the line between Iowa and Missouri. North Blanchard
is just north of the state line in Iowa, and South Blanchard is just south
of the line in Missouri. The business is all done in North Blanchard ;
there are, however, thirteen private residences in South Blanchard of
citizens doing business in North Blanchard. North Blanchard contains
a population of 550 souls. Bernice City adjoins South Blanchard on the
west, and contains a residence (Dr. F. A. Rogers') and doctor's office
and drug store, kept by one Adams.
INCORPORATION OF WESTBORO.
On the 10th day of January, 1882, the town of Westboro was incor-
porated as follows;
"Now, at this day, comes William Sawyer, W. D. Otis, G. T. Moore,
James W. Granger, William B. Rowland, J. Q. Morse, A. M. Rowan, I.
W. Scranton, D. B. Smith, R. E. Peck, F. W. Smith, G. B. Cook, W.
A. Packard, J. M. Lovelady, M. D. R. Skinner, N. R. Skinner, I. E. Cra-
dit, C. V. Ringo, George W. Ray, W. G. Safford, J. H. Tilson, M. L.
Hurst, W. B. Carroll, T. E. D. Risley, J. P. Rogers, G. M. Bell, W. B.
Vanzant, J. L. Vanzant, W. E. McCain, W. R. Frazier, A. Wood, L. L.
Chastain, G. W. Fay, A. F. Van Luven, W. H. H. Shofe, Eli Heeman, E.
7<?6 HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
C. Hale, William Millsaps, L. F. Walsh, E. W. Sapp, Charles Clark,
Thomas W. Homer, William A. Howard and Henry Davis, inhabitants!
of the village of Westboro, in the county of Atchison, and State ofj
Missouri, and present their petition to the court praying that they mayl
be incorporated, and a police established for their local government and J
for the preservation and regulation of any commons appertaining tol
said village; and also setting forth the metes and bounds of said vil- J
lage, and the court being satisfied that two-thirds of the taxable inhab-j
itants of said village have signed said petition, and that the prayer ofl
said petitioners is reasonable, it is therefore ordered by the court that!
said village be incorporated, and that such incorporation shall embrace I
the following boundaries, to wit:
Commencing at the southeast corner of the northeast quarter ofl
section 16, in township 66, of range 39, thence north 160 rods to the I
northeast corner of said section No. 16; thence west 125 rods ; thence
south 160 rods ; thence east 125 rods to the place of beginning, and
embracing the town plat herewith filed ; and the court appoints the fol-
lowing named persons to constitute the first board of trustees of said
village and until the annual election for members of said board, viz : W.
A. Howard, E. W. Sapp, William Sawyer, D. R. Dunlap, J. W. Granger
and W. G. Safford.
^BIOGRAPHICAL^
W. G. BAKER,
farmer, section 12, is a native of Licking County, Ohio, and was born in
1841, being a son of Charles and Eliza (Smith) Baker. The former was
also born in the same county, May 19, 1814, and his mother was a Penn-
sylvanian by birth. They were married January 16, 1835. Mrs. Baker
died December 31, 1845, and Mr. Baker subsequently came to Missouri
with his son and is still living. The subject of this sketch accompanied
his father to Wells County, Indiana, in 1852. There he married Rebecca
Lesh, September 29, 1861. She was a native of Hardin County, Iowa,
and was born in 1842. In 1866 Mr. and Mrs. Baker came to Atchison
County, Missouri, and settled near Linden. There Mrs. Baker died
June 10, 1868, leaving one child, Jennie. Mr. Baker was married the
second time to Miss Eliza Kish, a native of Atchison County, born
December 5, 1846. By this marriage they have five children living
Alonzo L., Rhoda B., Wm. N., Anna E., and Lulu.
LINCOLN TOWNSHIP. 797
E. R. BUNN,
farmer, section 10, is a native of Muskingum County, Ohio, and was born
November 23, 1817, being a son of John and Rosana Bunn. They were
born in New Jersey, and after their marriage moved to Ohio in 181-2.
The subject of this sketch spent his boyhood days and received a good
education in his native state. He early learned the carpenters trade, at
which he worked for forty-seven years. He was married March 1, 1842,
to Miss Dorcas Cummin, a native of Muskingum County, Ohio, born in
1824. Her parents came from Pennsylvania to Ohio at an early day.
Mr. and Mrs. B. subsequently settled in their native county, and there
remained till 1863, when they went to Illinois, and in 1865 settled at
Hamburg, Iowa. In 1869 they located where they now reside. Their,
family consists of J. W., E. F., Ella R. and E. R. Bunn. Mr. B. is a Mas-
ter Mason.
JOHN E. BUSHER,
farmer, section 5, is a native of Sangamon County, Illinois, was born
October 12, 1848, and is a son of John and H. (Emmerson) Busher. The
father was a native of Liverpool, England, and when at the age of nine-
teen years emigrated'to America and settled in Virginia. He afterwards
went to Sangamon County, Illinois, being a leather currier by trade.
A few years later he entered the harness business, which he continued
for fifty years. John's mother was a native of Yorkshire, England, and
with her parents she came to America, and settled in Sangamon County,
Illinois, where she was married. She died in February, 1849. John E.
Busher spent his boyhood days and received a good education in his
native county. He worked at the harness trade for three years, and was
in the employ of the Wabash Railway for some eight months. In October,
1873, he came to Atchison County, Missouri, and settled at Hazel Grove,
in Lincoln Township, where for a number of years he was the heaviest
live stock shipper in Atchison County. Becoming tired of the business,
he purchased a farm, and since then has devoted his time to agricultural
pursuits. Mr. B. married Miss Sarah Webster, December 17, 1876. She
was a daughter of Aaron and Octeve (Wright) Webster, the former a
native of Oakland, Michigan, born in iSJf), and her mother a native of
Monroe County, Indiana. They were married in 1848, and in i870came
to Atchison County, Missouri, locating at Hazel Grove. Mr. and Mrs.
Busher have one child living, Mary, having lost three : J. L., Bertha and
Jonathan. Mr. Busher is a Mason in good standing.
H. H. CAUDLE,
a progressive farmer of this township, was born in Atchison County, Mis-
souri, May 6, 1852, his parents being Hugh H. and Mary (Bailey) Cau-
798 HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
die. His father was a native of Kentucky and his mother of Tennessee.
After being married they came to Atchison County, in 1844, and settled
in section 34. The subject of this sketch was raised in this county and
commenced business for himself in 1876. He was married October 16,
1875, to Miss Thurza L. Gorden, a native of Iowa, born January 23, 1858.
She was the daughter of David and Lydia Gorden. Mr. and Mrs. C.
finally settled where they now reside, in section 19. They have a family
of three children : Clarence, Sylvea and Pearl. Mr. Caudle's farm con-
sists of eighty acres of well improved land.
J. C. H. CHRISTIAN,
farmer, section 34, a native of Newport Courthouse, Cocke County,
Tennessee, was born March 30, 1838, being a son of T. E. and Mary A.
(Doughty) Christian, who were natives of the same county. The father
was born in 1801, and the mother in 1804. After their marriage they
settled in that county, remaining there till March, 1852, when by wagon
they moved to Atchison County, Missouri, and located some seven
miles south of Rock Port. There they continued to reside until death.
The subject of this sketch spent his boyhood days in, Tennessee, and with
his parent* came to Missouri, and since then has devoted his time to
farming. He was married February 5, 1857, to Miss Mary A. Tate, a
native of Wayne County, Kentucky, born in 1842. Her parents were
Samuel B. and Minerva (Slone) Tate, who were natives of Cocke County,
Tennessee. They moved to Atchison County, Missouri, in 185 1, where
Mr. Tate was county judge for one term. After their marriage Mr.
Christian and wife settled on a farm in the Missouri bottoms and
remained till 1864, when they moved to where they now reside. Their
family consisted of six children : Columbus A., C. F., Maggie M.,
Thomas J. T., S. L. and Jessie.
CHARLES W. COE,
farmer, section 19, a native of Cayuga County, New York, was born Jan-
uary 17, 1842, and was a son of Curtis and Hannah (Clark) Coe. The
former, also a native of Cayuga County, was born August 25, 1797. He
died in 1875. Charles' mother, who was born in Rhode Island in 1794,
died April 10, 1872. They were married February 20, 1820, and after-
wards settled in Livingston County, and in 1830, moved to Cayuga
County, New York, where they passed the balance of their days.
Charles W. was raised and educated in his native county, and in 1861,
went to Stark County, Illinois. He married Miss Julia Bennett, May
26, 1862. She was a native of Fort Wayne, Allen County, Indiana, born
March 14, 1842, and was a daughter of Thomas F. and Diana (Howard)
LINCOLN TOWNSHIP. 799
Bennett. Her father was a native of Cayuga County, New York, born
in 1815, but he was raised in Livingston County. He is now a resident
of Atchison County. The mother of Mrs. Coe, who was born in Maine,
in 1814, died in 1852. They were married in September, 1836, and
moved to Indiana in 1837, returning to New York in 1843. They went
to Stark County, Illinois, in 1856, and came to Missouri in 1866. Mr.
and Mrs. Coe subsequently settled in New York, and in 1866, came to
Atchison County. They have three children living : Edwin, Frankie
and Fred, having lost one, Howard.
D. M. COULTER,
farmer, section 33, was born in Richland County, Ohio, March 31, 1823.
His parents were David and L. Coulter, the former a native of Armstrong
County, Pennsylvania, and the mother of Bedford County, Pennsylvania.
They were married in Richtand County, Ohio, and afterwards settled in
Indiana County, Pennsylvania, but soon returned to Richland County,
Ohio. In 1825 Guernsey County, Ohio, became their home and thence
to Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, in 1850. The father died March 15, 1882, in his
eighty-seventh year, and the mother of D. M. died April 26, 188 1, aged
eighty-four. The subject of this sketch spent his boyhood days in
Guernsey County, Ohio, and began life for himself in 1844. He taught
school and farmed till the year 1849, when he was in the employ of the
St. Louis marble works as collector in the Missouri Valley. In 1850 he
settled at Mt. Pleasant, Iowa. Mr. Coulter was married January 21,
185 1, to Miss Sarah Bowman, a native of Virginia, born January 29,
183 1, she being a daughter of James and Rachel Bowman. With her
parents she moved to Indiana in 1833, and to Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, in
1847. Her mother died in 1848, aged thirty-eight years, and her father
is still living. Mr. and Mrs. Coulter resided in Iowa about eight years,
then moved to Plattsmouth, Nebraska. In 1862 he enlisted in company
E, Second regiment Nebraska Volunteer Cavalry, and served in Dakota.
He was mustered out in December, 1863. He then settled in Holt
County, Missouri, and remained till 1869, when he purchased his present
farm and made all improvements. They have a family of eight children:
Oscar B., Francis J., James M., Chase A., Howard M., Sarah N., Emma
G. and Laura. They have lost three : Annie B., Ida R. and Garrett W.
Mr. and Mrs. C. are both members of the Liberal League.
WILLIAM A. DANIEL,
farmer, section 18, is a native of Jackson County, Alabama, and was born
April 14, 1842. William Daniel, his father, was a native of the same
county, born May 19, 1818. His parents were natives of Kentucky. He
8oo
HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
spent his boyhood days in Alabama, and was married to Miss Margaret
Mulkey, July II, 1838, she being a native of Kentucky, born October II,
18 19. With her parents, she moved to Alabama at an early day. Mr. and
Mrs. Daniel, in company with two families, procured a light wagon and two
horses, and one morning in October, 1843, loaded their goods and started
for Atchison County, Missouri. The following winter was spent in Car-
roll County, Tennessee, and in May, 1844, they arrived at Brunswick,
Missouri, having disposed of their wagon and horses. Mr. D. had twenty
dollars as his part, and by boat they went to Weston. While going up
the river, Mr. D. discovered that his twenty dollars was counterfeit, and
he was put ashore. Returning to Brunswick, he compromised with the
original purchaser, and received a gun and one dollar and a half. After
this he went to Weston, where he joined the families. They were
obliged to walk to their present home, about one hundred and forty
miles. Mr. D. commenced with nothing and is now classed among the
wealthiest citizens of the county. The subject of this biography was
only two years old when his parents came to this country. He remained
with them till 1862, when he enlisted in Company E, Second Missouri
Volunteer Cavalry, and was mustered out in about nine months. He
soon re-enlisted in the Forty-third Regiment Missouri Volunteer
Infantry, and was mustered out in July, 1865. Mr. D. was married in
1865 to Miss M. V. Ferrill, a native of Baltimore, Maryland, after which
they settled where they now reside, remaining till 1874. Then they
moved to Smith County, Kansas, and some five years later returned
to their former farm. They have but one child, born July 6, 1876. Mrs.
D. is a member of the M. E. Church.
JOHN W. DAVIS
is a member of the firm of Davis & DeLee, hardware merchants at West-
boro. This firm was established in March, 1881, the business having
formerly been conducted by Day & Bell. When the present proprietors
took charge the stock was increased by adding a complete line of gen-
eral hardware. The subject of this sketch, John W. Davis, is a native of
Des Moines County, Iowa, and was born in 1856, being the son of David
L. and Lavina Davis. His father was a native of Kentucky and his
mother of Illinois. They settled in Des Moines County, Iowa, some
time after their marriage. John W. spent his boyhood and received his
education in his native county, assisting his father on the farm till 1877,
when he began farming for himself. In 1879 ^e so^ out and moved to
Essex, Page County, Iowa, where he entered the mercantile business.
He was married, in 1877, to Miss Lavina V. Dodd, a native of Des Moines
County, Iowa, and by this union they have two children, Lawrence and
Grace. Mr. and Mrs. Davis are both members of the M. E. Church.
LINCOLN TOWNSHIP. 8oi
The establishment with which Mr. D. is connected is a prominent one
and the members well merit their success and deserve a liberal patronage
from the citizens ^f Westboro and vicinity.
NATHAN S. DAVIS,
farmer, section 8, was born in Cumberland County, New Jersey, July 27,
1839, being the only son of Nathan and Hannah J. (Barrett) Davis. His
father was a native of the same county, born in 18 12, and his mother of
Salem County, New Jersey, born January 1, 1817. The former died in
1840. Mrs. Davis was married the second time to one J. P. Simpkins,
and in 1849, moved to Peoria County, Illinois, and to Sarpy County,
Nebraska, in 1856. She died September 1, 1879. I" "850, the subject
of this sketch went to Illinois, and later, with his parents to Nebraska.
In 1862, lie took a trip to California, where he remained till 1865, then
returning to Nebraska. April 5, 1868, he married Miss E. Minerva
Woodhull, a native of Kilworth, Middlesex County, Ontario. She was
orn October 20, 1846, and was a daughter of J. and Eliza Woodhull.
r. W. was a native of Canada, and her mother of Ne.w York. Mrs. Davis
with her parents came to Atchison County in 1857. The family of Mr.
nd Mrs. Davis consists of three children living : Loraine Lee, born
une 22, 1869 ; Melvin Woodhull, born July 16, 1871, and Fred Stennett,
born March 26, 1878. Mr. and Mrs. D. are members of the M. E. Church
CLARENCE De LEE,
>f the firm of Davis & De Lee, hardware merchants, Westboro, was born
in Des Moines County, Iowa, in 1861. His parents were J. E. and A. C.
De Lee, the former a native of New York, and the latter of Iowa. Clar-
ence remained in Des Moines County, Iowa, till 1868, when, with his
parents, he moved to Greeley, Colorado. There he continued to dwell
till 1874, when he came to Essex, Page County, Iowa, where he com-
peted his education. In 1880 he entered the wholesale grocery house
of Paxton & Gallagher, at Omaha, Nebraska, in whose employ he was till
1881. He then assisted in his father's hardware store at Essex, Iowa, till
March, 1882, when, in connection with Mr. John W. Davis, he purchased
their present stock of goods. This is the only house in Westboro that
confines itself to the hardware business. Mr. De Lee is an excellent
selesman, and a young man of pleasing address and social manners.
JOHN P. DUNHAM,
farmer, section 28. This pioneer is a native of Brown County, Ohio, and
was born October 6, 1823. In 1826, with his parents, he moved to John-
son County, Indiana, and settled on a farm. His father died in 1837
51
802 HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
and his mother still resides at the old homestead in Indiana, being in
her eighty-third year. John P. Dunham was married September 8, 1844,
to Miss Elizabeth Mullis, a native of Washington Qbunty, Kentucky,
born February 9, 1822. With her parents she moved to Johnson County,
Indiana, in 1830. Mr. Dunham subsequently purchased a piece of tim-
ber land in Indiana, but soon becoming dissatisfied with it, sold out and
moved to Holt County, Missouri, in 1848, and to Atchison County in
1849. He then settled where he now resides, having a beautiful farm
of 200 acres, well improved. Mr. and Mrs. D. have seven children liv-
ing : A. J., Nathan, John, Henry, Alfred, William and Vinna. Mrs.
D. is a church member.
A. B. DUNHAM,
farmer, section 27, was born in Johnson County, Indiana, July 9, 1832,
and is a son of Aaron and Elizabeth (Wheaten) Dunham. The former,
who was a native of Ohio, died about the year 1839. The mother was
born in New Jersey. After being married they moved to Indiana, at an
early day. Aaron spent his boyhood days and received a good educa-
tion in his native county, residing with his mother and family till he was
twenty-four years old, except during the summer of 1854, which was
spent in Atchison County, Missouri. He was married November 27,
1858, to Miss Nancy E. Prichard, a native of Johnson County, Indiana,
born November 5, 1840. She was a daughter of Lewis and Susan (Mar-
lin) Prichard, natives of Henry County, Kentucky, but who went to Indi-
ana at an early day. After their marriage, Mr. Dunham and wife settled
in their native county, and remained till 1877, when they located where
they now reside. The farm consists of 120 acres of well improved land.
They have eight children living : Loutta, James S., Emery, Alfred,
Albert, John M., Jennie M. and Ida. They have lost two, Emma and
Alonzo. Mr. and Mrs. D. are members of the Christian Church.
A. J. DUNHAM,
farmer, section 27, is a native of Johnson County, Indiana, where he
was born September 3, 1845. His parents were John P. and Elizabeth
A. Dunham, with whom he moved to Holt County, Missouri, in 1848,
and to Atchison County in 1859, settling near Center Grove. Here he
spent his boyhood days and received a good education. During the
late war he enlisted in Company I, Forty-third Regiment Missouri Vol-
unteer Infantry in 1865, and was mustered out June 30, 1865. He then
returned home and devoted his time to farming, purchasing his present
place in 1873. Mr. D. married March 15, 1877, Miss Emma Coulter, a
native of Hancock County, Illinois, born January 8, 1858. She was a
daughter of Josiah and Mary Coulter, natives of Ohio. Her father was
LINCOLN TOWNSHIP. 803
born in 1829, and her mother in 1833. After being married they settled
in Illinois, and in 1865 moved to Nodaway County, Missouri. Mr. and
Mrs. D. have two daughters : Mary L., born April 6, 1878, and Helen,
born March 4, 1880. Mr. D. is a member of the Christian Church.
GEORGE H. FOSKET,
farmer, section 2, was born in Lafayette County, Wisconsin, in Novem-
ber, 1846, and is a son of Robert and Lucy (Macy) Fosket. His father
was a native of Connecticut and went to Fulton County, Illinois, in 1838,
and in 1842 to Lafayette County, Wisconsin. He died in 1863. The
mother of George H. died in 1872, aged sixty-three years. When twenty-
one years old the subject of this sketch began for himself as a farmer.
In February, 1862, he married Miss Hester A. Smith, a native of Mercer
County, Pennsylvania, born in 1839. She was the daughter of Samuel
and Elizabeth Smith, natives of Muskingum County, Ohio, who, after
their marriage, settled in Pennsylvania, moving to Lafayette County, Wis-
consin, in 1847. Her father died in 1876, aged sixty-two years, and her
mother in 1848. Mr. and Mrs. Fosket finally located in Wisconsin, and
in 1870 moved to Atchison County, Missouri, settling where they now
reside in 1877. His farm consists of 120 acres of well improved land.
Mr. and Mrs. F. have a family of three sons, Lorin, Lewis and Frank.
Mrs. F. is a member of the Christian Church.
DAVID FRAMPTON,
farmer, section 30, was born in Clay County, Missouri, in 185 1, and with
his parents he came to Atchison County, Missouri, at an early day.
Here he spent his boyhood days, and received a good education, starting
out for himself in 1877, as a farmer. In 1880 he purchased his present
valuable farm, of 200 acres. Mr. F. was married November 28, 1880, to
Miss Laura Pedigo, a native of Atchison County, Missouri. She was
born in 1858, being a daughter of H. S. and Mary Ann (Smith) Pedigo.
Her parents, who were natives of Virginia, were married in 1844, and
came to Atchison County, Missouri, in 1855. Mr. and Mrs. F. have one
child : Delacy, born January 2, 1882. Mr. Frampton is a representative
agriculturist of this district, and is respected by all.
SAMUEL FRANCIS,
a prominent farmer in section 31, was born in 1828, and is a native of
Ross County, Ohio. His parents were natives of Virginia, and settled in
Ross County, at an early day. Samuel spent his youthful days there
and received a good education. He was married in 1848 to Miss Mary
Strech, a native of Ross County, Ohio, born in 1832. They remained in
804 HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
that county till 1852, when they moved to Shelby County, Illinois, con-
tinuing to dwell there till 1866. Mr. F. then went to Peoria County,
Illinois, and in 1869 came to where he now resides. He has a farm of
160 acres of fine land. Their family consists of four children : Jane,
Milton, Druzella and Thomas. Mr. and Mrs. F. are both members of
the M. E. Church.
A. HILL,
merchant, Westboro, is a native of Prince Edward County, Virginia, and
was born January 11, 1834, being a son of James and Martha (Watson)
Hill. His parents were both natives of Virginia. Young Hill accom-
panied them to Missouri in 1837 and settled in Saline County. There
the father died. The mother was married the second time, after which,
with her family, she moved to Atchison County, Missouri, in 1847, set-
tling near Irish Grove. Mr. H. started out as a farmer, and continued
as such till 1862, when he turned his attention to freighting across the
plains. In 1867 he married Miss K. T. Rupe, a native of Atchison
County, Missouri, born in 1842. She died in 1877, leaving two children
living, and one deceased. Mr. Hill is an enterprising merchant, and is
well known and respected by all.
NELSON O. HOPKINS, JR.,
a leading farmer, stock raiser and feeder of this township, in sec-
tion 6, is a native of Atchison County, and was born September 5,
1846, being a son of Hon. Nelson O. and Catharine (Hughes) Hopkins.
His parents were native of Kentucky, and came to Atchison County
at an early day. Young Hopkins spent his boyhood days and received
an excellent education in this county, commencing business life for
himself as a farmer. He was married April 30, 1872, to Miss Mary
G. Evens, a native of Zanesville, Muskingum County, Ohio, born June
29, 1843, being a daughter of Gabriel and Mary Evens. Her father was
born in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, in 1788, and died in 1863. Her
mother, a native of Fayette County, Pennsylvania, was born in 1800, and
is still living. They were married in 1821, and in 1839, moved to Ohio,
where Mrs. E. now resides. After the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. H. in
Ohio, they came directly to this county and settled where they now
reside. His farm consists of 400 acres of finely improved land, on West
Tarkio. They have three children living : Frank, Elizabeth, and Nelson;
having lost one son, Horace H. Mrs. Hopkins is a member of the M. E.
Church.
CHARLES B. HURST,
farmer, section 6, was born in Pickaway County, Ohio, in 1842. His
parents were James and Elizabeth Hurst, the former a native of Maine,
LINCOLN TOWNSHIP. 805
■
who, when at the age of seven years, with his parents, moved to Ohio.
He was a mason by occupation and worked at that trade for over fifty
years. He was twice married. The mother of Charles B. was a native
of Pennsylvania, and she early accompanied her parents to Ohio. There
they were married, after which they settled in Pickaway County, remain-
ing till 1852, when they moved to St. Joseph, Missouri, and in the fall of
1853 to Holt County, Missouri. In the spring of 1855 they located near
Rock Port, Atchison County, and afterward, in 1869, moved to Lincoln
Township. The father died in 1879 ar*d the mother still survives. The
subject of this sketch came to Missouri with his parents. He started out
in life for himself, as a farmer, in 1863, commencing with comparatively
nothing. He now owns a fine farm of 1 14 acres. Mr. Hurst was married
April 8, 1866, to Miss C. Rich, a native of Illinois, born in February,
1848. She was a daughter of Washington and Julia Rich, natives of
Pennsylvania, who moved to Illinois in an early day. Mr. and Mrs. H.
have five children living : Linley S., Finley D., Mary S., Sophia S. and
Benjamin B., having lost one, Aara L. Mr. and Mrs. H. are both mem-
bers of the M. E. Church.
H. P. HURST,
farmer, section 19, is a native of Fayette County, Ohio, where he was
born May 13, 1844. He was a son of William and Charlotte (Duval)
Hurst. The former a native of Pickaway County, Ohio, and his mother
of Ohio. The subject of this narrative, with his parents, moved to
Clarke County, Missouri, in 1858, and the following year settled near
Corning, Holt County, Missouri. He started out in life as a farmer, in
Clark Township, Atchison County, in 1865. In 187 1 he was married to
Miss Angeline Hindman, a native of Holt County, born April 18, 1850.
Her parents were John and Jane Hurst. The former a native of Clay
County, Missouri, and the latter of Holt County, Missouri. They came
to Atchison County in 1858, and in that year Mr. Hurst was drowned.
Mr. and Mrs. Hurst have a family of six children : Bertha J., Willie,
Oscar, Clarence, Arena and Jessie. Mr. Hurst's farm consists of 545
icres of fine land, with good buildings and surroundings, indicating the
successful agriculturist.
JUDGE M. KIME,
farmer, section 5, is the owner of a landed estate consisting of about
1,600 acres, all improved. Mr. K. was born in Randolph County, North
Carolina, May 8, 1820, and is the son of David and Nancy (Tillery)
Kime, who were of English descent, but natives of North Carolina.
The subject of this sketch with his parents moved to Marion County,
Indiana, in 1822, and settled on a farm. He received a good education
and taught school for a number of years, and in 1848 came to Atchison
'8o5 HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
County, Missouri, where he entered a large tract of land in Lincoln
Township. In 1850 he went to California, but returned to Atchison
County in 1852. He has served four years as county judge by the
choice of the people and made a most capable officer. Judge Kime
found a wife in the person of Miss Catherine Hull, a native of Mus-
kingum County, Ohio, born August 15, 1841. The event of their mar-
riage was celebrated July 5, 1866, after which they settled where they
now reside. Mrs. Kime's parents were James and Rebecca Hull, who,
after being married in Ohio, moved to Indiana in 1856, and to Keokuk
County, Iowa, in 1857, coming to Page County, Iowa, in i860. Mr. and
Mrs. Kime have six children : William T., David S., James A., Adella
and Lillian. One daughter, Leora R., is deceased. Judge Kime is a
member of the Christian Church.
CHARLES W., ELIZA AND FRANK LEE,
who are natives of Canada, were the children of W. T. and Margaret
Lee, nee Woodhull. The former was born in Canada, February 28, 1838.
He there spent his boyhood days, and received an excellent education,
beginning life for himself as a farmer. December 5, 1859, he married
Miss Margaret Woodhull, after which they settled in Canada, where
they continued to reside until 1870, then coming direct to Atchison
County, Missouri, and settling in section 7, Lincoln Township, May 9,
1872. Mr. W. T. Lee died, and subsequently his widow was married to
A. B. Wilkinson. She departed this life September 3, 1878, leaving three
children by her second marriage. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Lee,
Charles W., Eliza and Frank, now reside on the old homestead, which
contains 120 acres of excellently improved land.
D. A. McCOLL,
farmer, section 24, is a native of Fulton County, New York, and was
born November 13, 1845, being a son of Hugh and Agnes McColl. His
father was a native of Scotland, and when but a boy came to America
with his parents. His mother was born in New York. The subject of
this sketch was raised and educated in his native state, and in 1867, with
his mother moved to Marshall County, Iowa, where he devoted his time
to farming. November 18, 1871, he married Miss Jane Pye, a native of
Livingston County, New York, born May 14, 1847. Her parents were
James and Jane Pye. She went to Marshall County, Iowa, in 1870. Mr.
and Mrs. McColl settled in Iowa after their marriage, and in 1872, moved
to Atchison County, Missouri, locating where they now reside. Mr.
McColl's farm consists of 200 acres of well improved land, in excellent
cultivation.
LINCOLN TOWNSHIP. 807
JOHN McCOLLISTER,
farmer, section 35, is a native of Ross County, Ohio, was born August
10, 1833, and is a son of Andrew and Maria McCollister. The former
was a native of Dorchester County, Maryland, born July 12, 1801, his
parents being Robert and Ann McCollister. Andrew moved with his
parents to Ross County, Ohio, in 1802. He married, July 17, 1823, Miss
Mariah Kilpatrick, a native of Ross County, Ohio, born November 17,
1805. They soon settled at the old homestead and remained till June,
1856, when with their family they went to Johnston County, Iowa. The
following spring they came to Atchison County, Missouri, and located
where their son John W. now resides. The father died February 12,
1872, and the mother survived till September 28, 1881. The subject of
this sketch spent his boyhood days and received a good education in
Ohio. He was married March 10, 1857, to Miss Jane Kirkwood, who was
born in Ross County, Ohio, December 22, 1834. She was a daughter of
• James and Ann Kirkwood. Her father was born in Lancaster County,
Pennsylvania, April 6, 1811, went to Ross County, Ohio, in 1834, and
was married in January, 1834, to Miss Ann Young. In 1857, they moved
to Montgomery County, Illinois. Mr. and Mrs. McCollister came to
Missouri with their parents, and have since lived here. Their family
consists of five children : William W., Belle I., Clara, Hallie, and James
A. Mr. McC.'s farm consists of 320 acres of fine improved land. Mrs.
McC. is a member of the M. E. Church South.
HUGH McINTYRE,
farmer and live stock shipper, resides in section 30. He was born in
Selkirk, British America, on North Red River. His parents were born,
raised and married in Scotland, and his father came to America in the
employ of the Hudson Bay Company, in 1812. He resided in the above
mentioned locality for some time, and subsequently moved to Jo. Daviess
County, Illinois. Hugh went to Illinois with his parents, and at man-
hood commenced to devote his attention to farming. He afterward went
to Jones County, Iowa, where he was in the live stock business, in con-
nection with farming, till 1866. He then sold out his entire effects and
came to Atchison County, Missouri, and settled where he now resides.
His farm consists of 320 acres of fine land, well improved. Mr. Mclntyre
is a member of the Masonic lodge. He married April 26, 1862, Miss H.
A. Millard, a native of Lee County, Iowa. They have ten children.
W. J. McKAY,
farmer, section 17, was born December 18, 1827, in Boone County, but
was raised in Moniteau County, Missouri. He was a son of Joseph and
808 HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
Margaret McKay, who were natives of Madison County, Kentucky.
After being married they settled in Howard County, Missouri. His
father was born in 1788 and died in 1833. His mother, who was born in
1793, died in i860. The subject of this biography started out for him-
self when at the age of eighteen years, as a farmer, supporting the mother
'and younger children. In 1846 they moved to Platte County, Missouri,
and settled on a farm near Weston, where they remained till 185 1, then
moving to Graham, Nodaway County, Missouri. Mr. McKay there
opened the first store in the place, and in i860 moved near to Rock
Port and farmed till 1862. Selling out, he returned to Graham, living
on a farm till 1866, when he again came to Atchison County and located
near where he now resides. He was married in 1853 to Miss Cydarilla
Burris, a native of Tennessee, born May 25, 1833. By this union they
have eight children : James, born June 23, 1854 ; Margaret, born
November 20, 1856 ; Nancy, born Nove'mber 27, 1858 ; George, born
April 18, i860 ; Laura, born August 4, 1862 ; Ida, born September 20,
1865 ; Robert, born March 10, 1869, and Elizabeth, born June 10, 1878.
Mr. and Mrs. McKay are both members of the Christian Church.
W. J. MCMILLAN,
farmer, section 17, is a native of New York City, and, with his parents,
moved to Maysville, Mason County, Kentucky, in 1850. There he
remained till 1859, when he went to Des Moines County, Iowa, and set-
tled on a farm. He enlisted in October, 1864, in Company A, Ninth
Regiment Iowa Cavalry, and participated in many battles, until the close
of the war. He afterward returned to Iowa and came to Atchison
County, Missouri, and purchased his present farm of 160 acres of fine
land, making all the improvements himself. Mr. McMillan married Miss
Jane McElroy, in 1875. She was a native of Indiana. By this union
they have three children, Bert E., Oliver M. and Cora M.
N. B. MERRITT,
lumberman and farmer, section 5, was born in Chautauqua County, New
York, April 16, 1834. His parents were Lewis H. and Hephizah
(Jewett) Merritt. The former, who was a native of Onondaga County,
New York, born July 9, 1809, married Miss H. Jewett, January 2, 1832,
she being a native of Deerfield, Massachusetts, born October 14, 1812.
With her parents she moved to Onondaga County, New York, in 1824.
The subject of this sketch spent his boyhood days and received a good
education in his native county. In 1855 he went to Ashtabula County,
Ohio, and there was married to Miss Jennie H. Holman, October 14,
1857. She was a daughter of Aaron J. and Sarah Holman. Mr. and
LINCOLN TOWNSHIP. 809
Mrs. Merritt subsequently settled in Ashtabula County, Ohio, and in
i860 moved to St. Louis County, Minnesota. Being a millwright by
trade, Mr. M. worked at that industry till 1866, when he came to St.
Joseph, Missouri, and remained till 1870. He then settled where he
now resides, owning a fine farm. Mrs. Merritt died April 24, 1881,
leaving a family of four sons : E. T., Frank W., Thomas A., and Fred-
erick T. The winter of 1881-82 Mr. M. spent in Minnesota.
A. R. MERRITT,
farmer, section 6, is a native of Warren County, Pennsylvania, where he
was born June 22, 1853. He was a son °f Lewis H. Merritt, who was a
native of Onondaga County, New York, born July 9, 1809. He married
Miss H. Jewett, January 2, 1832. She was born in Deerfield, Massachu-
setts, October 14, 1812, and with her parents moved to Onondaga County,
New York, in 1824. A. R. Merritt, with his parents, moved to St. Louis
County, Minnesota, in 1856. There he grew up and was educated, and
with his parents moved to Atchison County, Missouri, in 1876. His
farm consists of 144 acres of fine land. Mr. M. married Miss Susan
Bullock December 22, 1877. She was a native of Wayne County, Penn-
sylvania, and was a daughter of James and Loreday (Bullen) Bullock,
natives of Cornwall, England, who, after being married, came to
America in 1856. Mrs. Merritt died March 10, 1880, leaving two chil-
dren, James C. and Thomas A. Mr. M. is, and his wife was, a member
of the church.
SOL. D. OHL,
farmer, section 25, is a native of Pennsylvania, and was born in Lehigh
County, in 1848. He there spent his boyhood days, and received a good
education, and in 1868, began business for himself. He was a brick-
mason by trade, and in 1876, he came to Atchison County, Missouri,
where he has since devoted his time to farming. Mr. Ohl was married
in 1871, to Miss Amanda Romack, a native of the same county and state
as himself. They have four children : Alice, Eddy, Berime and Niles.
Mr. Ohl has a good farm, and is ably qualified to conduct it properly.
E. E. PECK,
section 5, is the owner of a farm which consists of 400 acres of finely
improved land, including good buildings, orchard, etc. He is a native of
Canada, and was born near Toronto, September 3, 1832. His father was
a native of Connecticut, and with his parents moved to Canada. His
mother was born near Rochester, New York, and she also moved to
Canada with her parents. There they were married and then settled.
The subject of this sketch, when at the age of eight years, moved to
8lO HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
Illinois, and in 1845 to Wisconsin. He returned to Canada in 1847, and
settled near London, and in 1850, with team and wagon, went to Califor-
nia, scopping at Salt Lake some time. He built the first cooper shop
there. Mr. Peck was married to Miss Hannah Woodhull, December 25,
1855. She was a native of London, Canada, born January 4, 1837, and
is a daughter of J. and Eliza Woodhull. Her father was a native of
Canada, and her mother of Schoharie, New York. After being married,
they settled in Canada, after which they moved to Atchison County,
Missouri, in i860. The father died in 1873, and the mother in 1861. In
1857 Mr. and Mrs. Peck came to Atchison County, Missouri, and settled
where they now reside. Their family consists of seven children : J. W.,
Eliza, Emma, E. Frank, Roscoe, Carrie and George. They are both
members of the M. E. Church.
AARON PERRY.
farmer, section 18, was born October 12, 1847, in Holt County, Missouri,
His parents were John and Hannah (Kerold) Perry, natives of Indiana,
who, after being married, moved to Holt County, Missouri, at an early
day. The father died when the subject of this sketch was but six months old
and his mother soon married again and moved to Atchison County. When
Aaron was seventeen years old he enlisted in Company I, Forty-third
Regiment Missouri Volunteer Infantry, August 15, 1864, and was dis-
charged June 30, 1865. That fall he entered the employ of Robert Hunter,
and freighted to Denver, Colorado, and the following season freighted for
Samuel Walkup. He then began farming in Clay Township, Atchison
County. Mr. Perry was married March 12, 1868, to Miss Sarah A. Millsaps,
a native of Atchison County, Missouri, born February 12, 1850. She was a
daughter of Callaway and Sarah (Handlay) Millsaps. Mr. and Mrs. P.
soon settled near Rock Port, on a farm, and in the spring of 1876 came
to Lincoln Township. Mr. P.'s farm consists of 160 acres of fine land,
well improved. They have a family of six children : Viola, Cora, Etta,
Olie, Minnie and Arcratie, havinglost one, George A., aged eleven years.
Mrs. P. is a member of the Christian Church.
E. F. POWELL,
live stock raiser, section 24. Among the prominent men in Lincoln Town-
ship engaged in this business, is to be found the subject of this narrative,
whose farm is a model one, consisting of about 1,000 acres of finely
improved land. He is a native of Chittenden County Vermont, born in
1840, and was a son of Welcome B. and Catharine Powell. When five
years old, with his parents he moved to Lehigh County, in the Lehigh
Valley, Pennsylvania, this valley being one of the richest and most pic-
turesque regions of the United States. Here he spent his boyhood days,
LINCOLN TOWNSHIP. 8ll
and received an excellent education, at Moravian College, of Nazareth.
Soon after he accepted the position as general superintendent of the
Lehigh Iron Works, located at Allentown. Upon him devolved the
general oversight of the production and success attending its operations,
.and he now owns a large interest in the same. He found a wife in the per-
son of Miss E. C. Horn, to whom he was married in 1859. She was raised
in Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania, and is a daughter of William and Mary
Horn. She received the advantages of a good education at Allentown.
Mr. Powell withdrew from the iron business in 1877, and with his family
came to Atchison County, Missouri, where he took charge of a large
tract of land situated in Lincoln Township, belonging to the Lehigh
company. He afterwards purchased of the above company his present
farm, now well improved. Mr. P. is a Knight Templar. Mr. and Mrs.
Powell's family consists of four children : Minnie C, Welcome N., Arthur
L., Beulah. Welcome N. graduated March 31, 1882, at Jefferson Medical
College, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and had the honor of winning the
first prize given in that institution, consisting of a case of surgeon's
instruments.
J. E. RANKIN,
farmer and stock raiser, section 18, is a native of Mahaska County, Iowa,
and was born December 1, 1855. He is a son of Thomas and Elizabeth
A. (Bingham) Rankin, both of whom were natives of Indiana. They
were married at Indianola, Iowa, and then moved to Kirkwood, Warren
County, Illinois, in 1866. There J. E. Rankin spent his boyhood days
and received a good education. In 1876 he came to Atchison County,
Missouri, and purchased his present farm of 280 acres, it then being
nothing but wild, raw land. Now it is one of the model farms in the
county. Returning to Illinois, Mr. R. was married, January 15, 1878, to
Miss -Clara E. Allison, a native of Henderson County, Illinois, and the
daughter of John M. and Sarah (Rodman) Allison. The former was
born in Pennsylvania, and her mother in Kentucky. They settled in
Henderson County at an early day. Mrs. R. spent her girlhood days
and received an excellent education in Illinois. They have two daugh-
ters : Pearl B., born September 29, 1878, and Bessie, born July 10, 188 1.
Mrs. Rankin is a member of the United Presbyterian Church.
S. L. RIDGEWAY,
one of the most prominent and enterprising stock dealers in this vicinity,
resides on section 1. He is a native of Sangamon County, Illinois, and
is a son of S. L. and C. A. (Stout) Ridgeway. His father was born in
-Danville, Kentucky, and in 1828, went to Sangamon County, Illinois.
.His mother is also a native of Kentucky, and in 1826, removed to Sanga-
8l2 HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
mon County, Illinois. There they were married and afterwards settled,
and in July, 1872, moved to Maryville, Nodaway County, Missouri, where
they now reside. The subject of this memoir passed his boyhood days
and received a very good education in his native county. He started
out in life as a farmer and stock raiser, and in 1871, came to Atchison
County, purchased the whole of section 1, and now he has one of
the finest improved sections in the northeast part of the county, sur-
rounded and subdivided with Osage hedge, and planted in orchard and
forest trees to the extent of twenty acres. Mr. Ridgeway married Miss
Laura Hamlin, a native of Sangamon County, Illinois, and a daughter of
H. N. and Evelin (Scott) Hamlin. Her father was a native of New York,
and her mother of Kentucky, who, with their parents early went to
Sangamon County, Illinois. There they were married and afterwards
moved to Morgan County, Illinois, where they still reside. Mr. and
Mrs. Ridgeway have one son, Samuel Leslie. Mr. R. is a Mason in good
standing.
WILLIAM SAWYER,
president of the bank and also senior member of the mercantile firm of
Sawyer, Howard & Co., Westboro. Few men are more highly esteemed
or respected by all in any community than is William Sawyer. He is a
son of Nathan and Elizabeth (Roberts) Sawyer. The former was a
native of North Carolina, and with his parents moved to Kentucky and
afterwards to Marion County, Indiana. There he was married to Miss
Elizabeth Roberts, a native of Kentucky, who, with her parents early
moved to that county. The subject of this sketch was born in Marion
County, Indiana, June 15, 1844. When at the age of eleven years he
began life for himself by working on a farm. He came to Atchison
County, Missouri, in i860 and located near Center Point, where he
devoted his time to farming, and in 1875 entered into partnership, with
D. R. Dunlap, at Central Point in the general merchandise business,
afterwards coming here. Mr. Sawyer married October 22, 1864, Miss
Hannah Daniels, a native of Atchison County, Missouri, born June 9,
1847. She was a daughter of William and Margaret Daniels, natives of
Alabama, who came to Atchison County, Missouri, at an early day.
Mr. and Mrs. Sawyer's family consists of three children : William N.,
Mary A., and Charles. Mr. S. is an exceptionally successful man and
in all his dealings is honorable and straightforward.
A. SMITH,
farmer, section 20, was born in Jackson County, Tennessee, December 17,
1843, ar>d is the son of Samuel and Mary M. (Sanders) Smith, natives of
the same county and state. Young Smith, with his parents, came to Atchi-
LINCOLN TOWNSHIP. 813
son County, Missouri, in 1858, and settled near Linden. He went to
Nebraska in i860, returned to Missouri in 1878, and in 1881, purchased his
present valuable farm. Mr. Smith was married February 1, 1872, to Miss
Melinda Ruble, a native of Tennessee, born December 11, 1855. She
came to Missouri with her parents when quite small. They have five
children living : Mary M., Aaron, Lusin, Arceila, and Anna M.
B. W. STEEL,
farmer, section 19, was born in Guernsey County, Ohio, and early
accompanied his parents to Vinton County, Ohio, and to Stark County,
Illinois, in 1864. His father and mother were natives of Pennsylvania,
who, after being married, settled in Ohio at an early day. The mother
now resides with her son. The subject of this sketch began life as a
farmer. In 1870 he came to Atchison County, Missouri, improved a
farm in Tarkio Township, and, in 1880, sold out and purchased his pres-
ent farm, in Lincoln Township, consisting of 240 acres of choice improved
land, situated on East Tarkio Creek. Mr. Steel was married in 1870, to
Miss Lavina Tautz. She died in 1874, leaving one child, Jennie. Mr.
S.'s second marriage occurred in 1879 to Miss Maggie Tautz, a second
cousin of his first wife, and by this union there is one child, Charles.
Mrs. Steel is a member of the United Brethren Church.
J. W. TEED,
farmer, section 10, was a native of Cook County, Illinois, born in 1848,
being the son of Joseph and Martha Teed. The former was a native of
Germany, and his mother of New York. After being married they set-
tled in McLean County, Illinois. During the war the subject of this sketch
enlisted in Company D, One Hundred and Forty-fifth Regiment Illinois
Volunteer Infantry, as a drummer. During the years from 1869 to 1873, he
had the entire charge of a fine herd of Short Horns belonging to J. M.
Woodrong, in Indiana. In 1874, he entered the mercantile business at
Williamsburg, Indiana, doing an extensive trade till 1876, when he sold
out and returned to McLean County, Illinois. There he was engaged in
farming till 1880, when he came to Atchison County, Missouri, and pur-
chased his present farm consisting of eighty acres of well improved land.
March 31, 1875, he married Miss Elma Gale, a native of Johnston County,
Indiana, born in 1859. She was a daughter of V. P. and Louisa Gale,
who were natives of the same county. Mr. and Mrs. Teed have two
children, Alonzo and Minnie. Mr. T. is a Master Mason.
N. UTTVITS,
farmer, section 29, was born in Zombor, near the Danube River, in Hun-
gary, December 18, 1839, being a son of Marquires and Sophia Uttvitts.
8 14 HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
He spent his boyhood days in his native country, and during- the year
1848, served in the army. The following year he went to Vienna as an
assistant surgeon, and remained some two years. Then he traveled
through Germany, and subsequently came to America. March 17, 1856,.
he married Miss Laura Kobs, a native of Leipsic, Germany, born Febru-
ary 19, 1837. She was a daughter of John and Emily Kobs, the former
a Polander, and the mother of German descent. In 1853, that family
came to America and settled at Elgin, Illinois. Mr. and Mrs. U. finally
located in Chicago, and remained there one year, then moved to Scott
County, Iowa, and five years later to Nebraska City, where they resided
till they came to Atchison County, in Missouri, in 1866, and settling"
where they now reside. Mr. U. owns a fine farm of 270 acres, well
improved. Their family consists of Oscar, Matilda, Annie, Lizzie, Laura,
Walter and Jennie living. They have lost two : Helen and Robert.
GEORGE H. WILKINSON,
farmer, section 36, was born in Sandusky City, Ohio, February 27, 1830,
and is a son of John and Susan (Pierce) Wilkinson. The former was a
native of Massachusetts, and early went to Yates County, New York,
and there married. He afterwards moved to Steuben County, New
York, and to Sandusky City, Ohio, in 1829, finally settling in Seneca
County, Ohio, where he was one of the first anti-slavery men in that
county. George's mother died in 1830, and his father married the second
time in 1832. He died in 1875. George H. spent his boyhood days and
received a good education in Seneca County, beginning life as a farmer.
In 1857 he came to Atchison County, Missouri, purchasing a farm. Then
he went to Bureau County, Illinois, and was married, October 20 1857,
to Miss Demia Wilkinson. With his wife he returned to Missouri, and
in 1859 moved to Fremont County, Iowa, being the first settler in Locust
Grove Township. In 1862 he returned to Atchison County, Missouri.
His landed estate consists of about 700 acres of finely improved land,
well watered and under cultivation. Mr. and Mrs. W. have three chil-
dren : Alice, Frank and Elmetta.
A. B. WILKERSON,
farmer, section 7, is the owner of a valuable farm, consisting of 440
acres of fine land. He is a native of Seneca County, Ohio, born May 5
1853. His parents were natives of New York. A. B. passed his earlier
days and attended the common schools in his native state. He came
to Waldren Grove, Atchison County, Missouri, in 1859, ar>d since that
time he has lived in Fremont County, Iowa, and this county. During
the late war he enlisted in 1863 in Company E„ Second Regiment Mis.-
LINCOLN TOWNSHIP. 8l$
souri Volunteer Cavalry, and did service in Dakota Territory till
December, 1863. Mr. W. married in October, 1874, Mrs. Margaret Lee,
widow of W. T. Lee. Her maiden name was Woodhull, a native of
Canada. She died September 13, 1878, leaving three children : L. E.,
Maggie E. and Edna G. Wilkinson. Mr. W. is an enterprising farmer,
and is held in high esteem by those favored with his acquaintance.
ISAAC M. C. WOOD,
farmer, section 34, is a native of Clarke County, Indiana, and was born
April 11, 1835, being a son of E. R. and Matilda (Chambers) Wood.
Isaac, with his parents, came to Atchison County, Missouri, in 1855. and
settled in the Missouri Bottoms. He was married May 25. 1861, to Miss
Almira Morrell. a native of Edwards County, Illinois, born January 3,
1844. She came to this county in 1855. After their marriage Mr. and
Mrs. Wood settled in the river bottoms. Mrs. W. died October 5, 1880,
leaving four children: Elisha R., Ruthie A, Elvis G. and Lulu N. In
1881 Mr. G., with his children, moved to where he now resides. Being
an old settler, he is widely and favorably known, and holds the respect
of many acquaintances.
CAPTAIN T. J. WRIGHT,
is a member of the firm of Wright & Sayer, bankers at Westboro. This
house was established on a sound business basis March 1, 1882, and has
since continued to do a flourishing business. Captain Wright is a native
of Clark County, Kentucky, and was born in August, 1830, being a son
of A. S. and Matilda Wright. He was raised on a farm and received a
fine education, and while young learned the blacksmith trade, at which
he worked for many years. "In 1850, he married Miss Mildred G. Wil-
liams, a native of Clark County, Kentucky, born December, 1828. Her
parents were D. B. and Mildred B. Williams. Mr. and Mrs. Wright,
after their marriage settled in Clarke County, Kentucky, and in 1855,
moved to Bloomington, Illinois. There he worked at his trade in con-
nection with farming till 1856, when he sold out and moved to Estill
County, Kentucky. He devoted his time to milling, but disposed of his
interests in 1859, and purchased a small farm, and tilled the soil till
August, 1861. Mr. Wright then recruited Company H, Eighth Regiment,
Kentucky Volunteer Infantry, was elected second lieutenant, and January,
1863, was promoted to first lieutenant, and June 1, 1863, to captain. He
was mustered out November 18, 1864, after which he returned to Ken-
tucky. He then sold his farm and settled in Hendricks County, Indiana,
remaining till 1869, when he came to Atchison County, Missouri, and
8i6
HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
bought a farm in section 25, township 66, range 40, and devoted his
time to farming and stock raising till January, 1882. He then came
to Westboro. Mr. and Mrs. Wright are both members of the Christian
Church. In his business transactions, Captain Wright is exception-
ally clear and transparent, and as a financier is second to none in the
county.
CHAPTER XIII.
NISHNEBOTNA TOWNSHIP.
TOPOGRAPHY-BRIDGE— THE FLOOD-EARLY SETTLEMENT-SONORA LAID OUT— SONORA
INCORPORATED-PIONEER MILL- DR. WYATT— BUSINESS ENTERPRISE— PORK
PACKING-CHUKCHES-SOCIETIES-SAW MILL-YORKTOWN - WATSON — POSTMAS-
TERS-CHURCHES-SCHOOL HOUSE-INCORPORATION OF WATiON— ODD FELLOWS
-MASONIC-BUSINESS OF 1882— SHIPPING INTERESTS— BIOGRAPHICAL.
NISHNEBOTNA TOWNSHIP,
one of the five original municipal divisions of Atchison County was
reduced to its present (1882) limits by the creation of Templeton Town-
ship, February 22, 1870. It is in consequence of the extreme sinuosity
of the streams between which it lies, very irregular in the configuration
of its outline. It is bounded on the north, in a distance of about a mile
and a-half, by Buchanan Township, on the east by Polk, and a small
portion of Clay Township, on the south and west, and also on the north-
west, by the Missouri River, separating it from Nebraska.
TOPOGRAPHY
That portion of this river on the northwest boundary of the town-
ship, is the old channel of the same, and is from one to two and a-half
miles east of its present (1882) channel. Between these two channels is
a sandy island about four miles long, by two and a-half miles wide. In
the center of this island, and embracing considerably over one-half its
area, is a deposit of alluvial soil, covered with a dense growth of timber.
The timbered portion of the mainland of Nishnebotna Township occu-
pies the western promontory of the same, and embraces an area of about
three thousand acres. This timber covers, wholly or in part, sections
32 and 33, of township 66, range 42, and fractional sections 22, 27, 28 and
29, of said township, and also fractional sections 5 and 6, of township 65,
range 42, as well as fractional sections 1 and 2, in township 66, range 43,
much of which has disappeared by the caving of the river banks. In the
extreme southwestern corner of the township, in fractional sections 15
and 16, is also a small body of timber, extending southward into the
northwest corner of Templeton Township.
The balance of the township is prairie land, and the whole is
devoid of streams except those on the line of its boundaries. The
8l8 HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
extreme western projection of the timbered section of this township,
which is bounded on three sides by the Missouri River, is the landing of
Peru Ferry, directly opposite the town of Peru, in Nebraska.
BRIDGES.
There is no stream absolutely within the limits of Nishnebotna
Township. The Nishnebotna River, which separates it on the east from
Polk Township, is spanned as set forth in the general chapter on
bridges, by a substantial wood and iron structure 130 feet in length.
This bridge connects it with Polk Township in the northwest quarter of
section 1, township 65, range 41, about one mile and a half east of the
town of Watson. It is generally known as " Watson Bridge."
THE FLOOD.
During the prevalence of the high water in the spring of 18811
nearly the entire bottom, with the exception of a slightly elevated stri]
of territory extending between old Sonora and the town of Watson,
was submerged, and, on the subsidence of the waters, as elsewhere
stated, a considerable area of the low bottom lands extending from
point just north of the site of Sonora and extending to and beyond th<
immediate neighborhood of Peru Ferry landing was covered by
deposit of sand varying in depth from one to six feet. This is a tim-
bered district of considerable extent, and is popularly known as the
" Dogwoods."
The ravages of the flood in the eastern part of the township,
between the track of the Kansas City, St. Joseph and Council Bluffs
Railroad and the banks of the Nishnebotna River, were overwhelming,
and evidences yet remain of the consequences of this terrible visitation,
notwithstanding the prompt and energetic action on the part of the suf-
ferers, who began the work of repair as soon as practicable after the
subsidence of the waters. It appears that the east and west hedge-
rows, and in some instances other fences, forming a temporary barrier
to the influx of the torrent from the northwest, accumulated a vast
amount of debris of all kinds, including corns-talks, fence-rails, cord-
wood, etc., along its line, and thus formed a temporary dam over which
the turgid waters ultimately bursting with terrific violence, washed out
immense channels varying in depth across the highways from three to
ten feet. These impediments, however, have long since been removed,
and the public roads of the townships are at present in as fair a condi-
tion as those of any other section of the county.
We have been led to the consideration of these facts with, it is
hoped, a pardonable disregard of chronological precedence, from the cir-
cumstance of their intimate connection with the topography of the
township. We now invite the attention of our readers to the
NISHNEBOTNA TOWNSHIP. 819
EARLY SETTLEMENT
of the township. The first settlers of Nishnebotna Township were also
the earliest settlers of Atchison County. These were Samuel Wilson,
Samuel Rich and Hank Roberts, all from Clay County, Missouri. They
landed and effected a settlement in the spring of 1839, on what subse-
quently became the site of Old Sonora. In the fall of the same year,
came to the same spot, a third settler within the limits of the county.
This was Callaway Millsaps, elsewhere referred to as the pioneer of Clay
Township, and now (1882) a member of the mercantile firm of Harring-
ton and Millsaps, in the city of Rock Port. Of these original settlers,
Wilson died many years ago, Samuel Rich moved to the far west, and
Hank Roberts now resides on McKissock's Island, in the Missouri River,
near the northwest corner of the county. Millsaps is thus the only one
of the original pioneers, yet (1882) living within the limits of the county-
Among the settlers of Nishnebotna Township, who came shortly
after the above mentioned, were Jacob Hughes, from Clay County, Mis-
souri ; William Hays, still living ; Ben. Parmer, a mulatto, now living
in California ; George Borchers, the pioneer merchant of Holt County,
who afterwards located a mile and a quarter northwest of Sonora-
Another German by the name of Beuzer was also an early settler of this
township, as was James Cook, from Illinois. Abraham King and Bennet
King were among the first to settle on the Nishnebotna.- A. S. Jackson,
from Clay County, Missouri, was also a very early settler. J. Hall and
R. Horn came in 1850. R. Horn and his son, I. T. Horn, and John Kel-
lison, were the only parties living in Sonora in the spring of 185 1, when
Isaac Plasters and his son, B. F. Plasters, came to the neighborhood.
The latter is now (1882) a merchant of the town of Watson. Isaac
Plasters died in 1864. Jesse York, step-father of E. Goodwin, present
partner in business of B. F. Plasters, above mentioned, came in 185 1..
His brother, Archibald York, settled in the country October 20, 1852.
He laid out Yorktown, about half a mile west of Watson, in 1857. Say-
bird Addington, from Cass County, Illinois, settled near the Nishnebotna
River, in the neighborhood of Watson, in the fall of 185 1. He died in
1881. William Durham, from Kentucky, settled in Sonora in 1856.
SONORA,
an ancient river town of Atchison County, was laid out on the 15th day
of April, 1846, by Robert Wilson. This was on the day following that of
the laying out of Linden, the oldest town in the county. In November,
1854, John Hall and Elizabeth, his wife, purchased of Hiram Rich, to
whom the place had been sold by Wilson, the town site of Sonora, and
acknowledged that they had adopted the name and set apart the entire
820 HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
block, No. 1 1, for the purpose of a public square, to the inhabitants of
said town.
The site of the town occupied the south half of section 5, of town-
ship 65, range 42, in what is now Nishnebotna Township, and fronted
the Missouri River, where, for many succeeding years, it enjoyed the
reputation of an important business point and steamboat landing. The
streets extending in an easterly and westerly direction from the river
northward were Water, Main, Market, Rich and Albert Streets. The
intersecting streets from the east to the west boundary of the town site
were Elm, Walnut, Pine and Cedar. The lots were sixty-six by one
hundred and thirty-two feet deep. The streets were laid out at a declina-
tion of sixteen and a half degrees east of the true meridian. On the 3d
of November, 1854, William E. Horn laid out, on the west side of this
survey, an addition of three blocks to the eastward of Cottonwood Street.
Previously to this, January 30, 1852, Hall's Addition, including two blocks,
had been laid out on the west side of the original town site.
We state on the authority of George L. Bischof, a merchant of
Rock Port, who came from Germany in an early day, that he reached
Savannah Landing, now Amazonia, in 1850, and walked thence to
Sonora. On his arrival he found the town to consist of a single building.
This was a double log house, then the property of a widow, Mrs. Helvey.
She had two sons who worked for Judge George Borchers, who then ran
the ferry opposite Peru. Sonora, at that period, was nothing more than
a landing, and, during the year that he remained in the place, no addi-
tional building was erected. The California excitement was at its height(
and every body was going west.
SONORA INCORPORATED.
At the March adjourned term of the county court, for the year 1855.
the town of Sonora was incorporated as follows :
" And now at this day comes W. K. McAdams and presents a
petition of himself and others, praying that the county court incorpor-
ate the town of Sonora, in Atchison County, Missouri, and the court
being satisfied that said petition is signed by two-thirds of the taxable
inhabitants of said town, within the following metes and bounds, be and
the same is hereby incorporated :
Commencing at the southwest corner of block 16 ; thence running
east to the southeast corner of block 1, in Wiley H. Harris' addition
to said town ; thence north on the east line of said addition, to the north-
east corner of block 3 ; thence west to the northeast corner of said
block ; thence north along the east side of Albert Street to the east end
of said street where the same terminates with the end of Cedar Street ;
thence west to where the same intersects Rich Street ; thence north to
NISHNEBOTNA TOWNSHIP. . 821
the north side of Cottonwood Street ; thence west down the north side
of Cottonwood Street to the west side of Water Street ; thence south
down the west side of said street to a point opposite the southwest cor-
ner of block 16, the place of beginning, said incorporation to include the
whole of Elm Street, and also John Hall's addition to said town.
Ordered, that William S. Horn, Thomas M. McAdams, Wilson M,
Swan, I. D. York and Stephen South be and are hereby appointed trus-
tees of said town.
Though the town of Sonora was laid out, as before stated, in the
spring of 1846, it will be seen by the above statement, that four years
after, there was but a single dwelling house on the town site. By the
opening of spring in the year 1852, A. S. Buddington opened the first
store established in the town of Sonora. He continued to sell goods
there for the period of a year. The commercial interests of the place
thenceforward increased substantially, and Sonora became extensively
•known as a business center. In the fall of 1856, Dr. Solomon Wyatt, at
a previous period a noted citizen of Rock Port, had a large general store
in Sonora.
PIONEER MILL.
He also owned a steam po\yer saw mill in the place. This was
located in a substantial two-story building, fifty-three by fifty-four feet
in size, in which he afterwards added to the machinery a grist mill
with one run of burrs. It continued to be operated about two years.
The mill was abandoned in 1858. The saw mill was originally built by
John Hall and Abraham Lyons, in the fall of 185 1, and run by them by
means of horse power until 1853 or 1854, when they substituted steam
power, by which it afterwards continued to be operated. The building
was many years ago moved away, and its site has long since disappeared
with the crumbling banks of the insatiable Missouri, whose waters now
(1882) flow over a considerable portion of what was formerly included
within the area of the town.
DOCTOR WYATT.
Doctor Solomon Wyatt, the proprietor of the above mentioned mill,
was in his day a noted character. He was a native of the State of Vir-
ginia, and one of the early settlers of the county, residing previous to
his locating in Sonora, in the town of Rock Port, where he also prac-
ticed medicine. He is mentioned by those who personally knew him as
a man of honorable impulses and superior professional attainments, as
well as of untiring industry and enterprise.
He settled in Sonora about the year 1853, and thus achieved the
distinction of being the first physician to practice in the neighborhood.
Dr. Wyatt also had a drug store in the town, which he owned in part-
822 HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
nership with Dr. Jesse Davis, who conducted its business. Dr. Davis
was also a practicing physician and a man of fair standing in the com-
munity. They were both large men physically. In a difficulty which
occurred in 1857, over a business transaction, Wyatt shot his partner
Davis in the wrist with a shot-gun loaded with buck-shot. The nature
of the wound necessitated the amputation of his arm. This " unpleas-
antness" ended the partnership. Dr. Davis, on recovering from the effects
of his wound, moved to Arago, Richardson County, Nebraska. He was
afterwards killed in a general fight in the streets of Falls City. This
fight, which resulted so disastrously to the doctor, grew out of a dispute
over the county seat question. Dr. Davis was a native of Greene County,
Tennessee, where his father was murdered during the civil war. Dr.
Wyatt failed in business and closed out in 1858. He then moved to
Nebraska, where he soon after laid out the town of Middleport. He
went to Pike's Peak during the period of the gold excitement, in the
spring of 1859, and thence moved to Arkansas, and ultimately to Texas,
where he died.
BUSINESS ENTERPRISES.
In 1857, A. Lyford, who had been selling goods in Sonora on com-
mission for a St. Louis house, entered into partnership with Isom T.
Horn, and opened under the firm style of Lyford & Horn, a stock of gen-
eral merchandise in the town. As early as 1855, and perhaps before,
Thomas M. McAdams and Rice H. Swift had blacksmith shops in the
town.
Dr. Henry T. Trimble, father of Robert W. Trimble, the present
(1882) popular and efficient deputy clerk of the County Court of Atchi-
son County, was an early settler among the business men of Sonora, and
kept books in that place for Dr. Wyatt as early as 1856. He was from
the neighborhood of Paris, in Bourbon County, Kentucky, and was a
graduate of Transylvania University in the faculties of law and medicine,
as well as of the arts. Dr. Trimble was also a man of fine native endow-
ments and great powers of eloquence. At the period of his death, which
occurred in August, 1858, he was commissioner of public instruction for
Atchison County.
The Edmondson Brothers, Robert and Frank, had a large store in
the place in 1859. Sonora saw her best days in 1856, 1857 and 1858.
During the latter year, there were, besides other business, three large
general stores in the place. These were owned respectively by Lyford
&,Horn, Edmondson & Bro., and N. V. V. Swift. In 1858 Wylie Horn
put up, for the purpose of a business house, a two-story brick building,
twenty-five by sixty feet in extent. This was occupied, as soon as com-
pleted, by Horn, Cross & Co., general merchants, who sold goods in the
house for the period .of a year, when they were succeeded by Poindexter
NISHNEBOTNA TOWNSHIP. 823
& Co. The latter firm are said to have opened with a forty thousand
dollar stock of goods. They continued to sell these till a short time
after the breaking out of the civil war, when Poindexter, being regarded
as a southern sympathizer, was robbed of his goods and compelled to
leave the country. Dr. Poindexter had just completed for a business
house, into which he was on the point of moving, a large two-story frame
building, of the same dimensions as the brick house, which he was then
occupying.
The building is among the few which yet (1882) stand on what is
left of the site of this ancient and virtually deserted town, which, in
the days of its prosperity, had a population of 300. Its comparatively
vast proportions, rising in gaunt and dingy solitude, alone remain to
tell of the thronging life which in bygone days bespoke the thrift and
animation of Northwest Missouri's rising river town, steamboat landing
and grain shipping depot. Dr. Poindexter, on being driven from Sonora,
moved to Chillicothe, Missouri, where he afterwards engaged in the drug
business. He ultimately moved to St. Louis, where he died. The frame
building, above referred to, was afterwards purchased by the district and
converted into a school house, a purpose which the lower room now
(1882) subserves. The bell of this school once belonged to a steamboat
which sunk loaded with corn, near Peru Landing, in 1867. It has a
remarkably fine tone and was purchased from the owners of the boat for
sixty dollars. On the final abandonment of the town, which followed
almost immediately after the laying out of Watson, the spacious two
story brick building was taken down, and the material of which it was
composed sold to different parties. Many of the chimneys and flues in
the neighborhood, far and near, are built of the bricks which once com-
posed the walls of Sonora's model business house.
PORK PACKING.
Among the early enterprises which bespoke the enterprise and
importance of Sonora was the large pork packing establishment owned
by Syfers, of St. Louis, which, in the winter of 1852-53, did an unusually
large business, and achieved a fortune for the proprietor.
CHURCHES.
Sonora, up to the period of her final abandonment, had several reli-
gious organizations within her limits. These included, with perhaps
others, the Cumberland Presbyterians, since moved to Watson, and the
Methodists. No church edifice, however, was ever erected in ths town ;
the different religious denominations holding their services in school-
houses and other convenient places, as circumstances permitted.
824 HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
SOCIETIES.
Both the Masonic order and the Odd Fellows had organizations in
Sonora. The former, Sonora Lodge, No. 200, A., F. & A. M., were set
to work April 6, 1867, in the second story of the large brick building
above referred to, which said story the order purchased from John
McNeal, Cross & Horn, the proprietors. This they continued to occupy
till the removal of the lodge to the town of Watson in January, 1875.
Under the head of " Watson " the histories of both these organizations
will be found fully considered.
Sonora not only afforded an example of a live and stirring river
town, but in the days of its prosperity bore the reputation of an orderly
and well conducted place. But one atrocious outrage is known to have
occurred within its borders in the annals of this town. A detailed
account of this will be found in the chapter entitled " Criminal Record."
The last merchant to sell goods in Sonora was Frank Rother. He
closed out his stock in 1869.
The last enterprise to survive in the town was the graded school,
which, shortly after the close of the civil war, included over one hun-
dred pupils, and occupied the large two-story frame building above
referred to. In 1869 this institution was presided over by Professor
Beard.
SAW-MILL.
Immediately after the close of the civil war, a saw-mill was set up
in the heavily timbered bottom above Sonora by Thomas Green, a
settler from Indiana. The location of this mill was in the neighbor-
hood of Peru landing. It was afterwards moved further inland.
YORKTOWN,
one of the ephemeral or rather prospective towns of Atchison County,
was supposed to exist about half a mile west of the site of the present
town ot Watson. It was laid out on the southwest quarter of section
3, township 65, range 42. by Archibald York.
The plat of the survey of this town, which, according to a statement
filed in the circuit clerk's office, by W. H. Dunbar, surveyor, May 18,
1857, shows that the lots were 40x120 feet in size. The north and south
street, which was' eighty feet wide, was styled Main ; the east and west
streets, of which it appears there were two, were named, respectively,
Commercial and Nebraska. The entire town, in its best days, only con-
tained two buildings, one of which was a blacksmith shop and the other
a Methodist Episcopal Church. Both have long since disappeared, and
the town site is now included within the limits of the farm of Hon.
A. S. Campbell, who at one time represented Atchison County in the
NISHNEBOTNA TOWNSHIP. 825
State Legislature. Mr. Campbell was the author of the celebrated hog-
law passed mainly through his efforts by the Legislature, during the
session of 1879-80. His residence, a neat and tasteful frame structure,
is the most elegant in Nishnebotna Township.
WATSON,
«
an important shipping point and business center of the county, is now
(1882) the only surviving town within the limits of Nishnebotna Town-
ship. It is a station on the Kansas City, St. Joseph and Council Bluffs
Railroad, one hundred and thirty-eight miles north of Kansas City, and
eight miles south of Hamburg, Iowa. Its population is about two hun-
dred and sixty. The town was laid out on the 1st of February, 1869, by
Marion Good. The only building at that time on the town site was his
residence. The first erected in the place was a small, one-story frame
house, fifteen by twenty feet. It was moved from Sonora by James
Odell, and set up in Watson the year the town was laid out. This orig-
inal building is now attached to the rear of the store house occupied by
Frazer Allen, where it serves the purpose of a wareroom.
The first house built in the town was a two-story frame building, near
the northern extremity of the street running parallel with rhe railroad.
This was put up by William Cowan for a hotel, and was first occupied as
such by C. Sleeper. The building is now the property of John Knowles.
The first store opened in the place was the general stock of Harris
& Williams, in the building now (1882) occupied by Dean, Dyche & Co.,
dealers in general merchandise.
The second store building in the place was built by G. J. Englehart,
of the firm of Lockwood, Englehart & Co., of St. Joseph. It was long
occupied by M. E. Hall in general trade
The first blacksmith to locate in Watson was John Martin, who
opened his shop in the place in 1870 and still there works at his trade.
Saloon men seem, as a general thing, to manifest more than ordinary
enterprise in establishing their business in new localities, and are rarely
second to any one in the accomplishment of their object. The extreme
virtue of the founders and early settlers of Watson resulted, however,
in rendering the town almost an exception to this rule. On the day the
same was laid out G. T. Boston, with the characteristic enterprise of his
calling, moved, from Sonora, a small building, which he proposed to set
up on the town site, and open as a saloon. This the settlers of the town
would by no means permit, and he was constrained to erect his dram
shop outside its limits, near the southern boundary of the town site, on
P. G. Morgan's land. Hence originated south end addition to the town
of Watson, which may thus be said to have had its birth if not its bap-
tism in whisky.
826 HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY .
One of the earliest to settle and build in the town of Watson was
Dr. I. B. Jones, who moved from Sonora on the first laying out of the
former town. He has continued ever since to reside there, in' the prac-
tice of his profession Dr. Jones built the first private residence in
Watson.
POSTMASTERS.
On the removal of the post office from Sonora to Watson M. E. Hall
was appointed postmaster. He was succeeded by William Harris, who,
in turn, was succeeded by Charles Funk. The successor of the latter was
S. C. Danforth, the present (1882) official.
CHURCHES.
The Cumberland Presbyterians had, in Sonora, an organization which
was effected by Rev. Jesse Allen, long before the war. As soon as the
town of Watson was laid out, this organization moved to the place.
This was in 1869. The Rev. Isaac Chivington, who subsequently allied
himself to the Methodist Episcopal Church, supervised the erection of
the present elegant frame structure of the Cumberland Presbyterian
Church in Watson. The building is 70x50 feet. It cost $3,000. It affords
seating capacity for five hundred, and has a present (1882) membership
of one hundred and seventy-five.
The minister of the congregation, at the period of its removal from
Sonora, was Rev. E. A. Starnes. He had been pastor of the church in
that place for a period of five years next preceding the removal of the
congregation to Watson. The organization were never provided with a
building in Sonora, but met, while there in the spacious hall of the pub-
lic school house. A Union Sunday School has been taught in the Cum-
berland Presbyterian Church, ever since its first erection, during all
which period Dr. I. B. Jones has superintended the institution. The
average attendance at this school is 100. These are taught by five
assistant teachers, besides the superintendent.
The Methodist Episcopal Church of Watson, is a neat gothic frame
structure, directly east of the railroad track. Its dimensions are twenty
by forty-four feet. The building was erected in 1879, at a cost of $1,300.
Rev. H. C. Langley is minister in charge.
SCHOOL HOUSE.
The public school of Watson is a plain but neat one-story frame
building, in the western part of the village. It was put up in 1870, at a
cost of $1,700. The house stands in a yard of about a quarter of an
acre of ground. This is set with a grove of boxelder trees, of consid-
erable size, affording a dense shade from the rays of the summer's sun.
NIbHNEBOTNA TOWNSHIP. 827
INCORPORATION OF THE TOWN OF WATSON.
The following appears on record May 22, 1874 : Now here at this
day comes C. A. Funk, N. N. Green, J. T. Workman, R. B. Rhodes,
John McNeal, Jr., A. H. Rhodes, T. J. Bayless, A. E. Newmeister, N.
Jones, N. S. Beners, W. Stafford, D. W. Roberson, J. W. Barr, L. F.
Gober, I. B. Jones, John Noles, William M. McNeal, S. C. Danforth, C.
N. Van Pelt, N. S. Hull, Stephen South, Francis Picket, John W. Stevens,
Jesse York, G. A. Bowers, A. R. Sherill and D. J. McNeal, inhabitants
of the town of Watson, in the County of Atchison, in the State of Mis-
souri, and present their petition to the court, praying that they may be
incorporated, and a place established for their local government, and for
the preservation and regulation of any commons appertaining to said
town ; and also setting forth the metes and bounds of said town ; and
the court being satisfied that two-thirds of the taxable inhabitants of
said town have signed said petition, and that the prayer of said peti-
tioners is reasonable, it is therefore declared by the court that said town
be incorporated, and that such incorporation shall embrace the following
boundaries, to wit :
Forty acres off the west side of the northeast fractional quarter of
section three (3), in township sixty-five (65), of range forty-two (42), and
also the following addition : Commencing at a point 30 feet south
of the southeast corner of the said town of Watson ; thence east 141
feet ; thence south 179 feet ; thence west to a point 209 feet south of
the southwest corner of said town of Watson ; thence north to the south-
west of Watson ; thence east to the southeast corner of Watson ; thence
south to the place of beginning, and the court appoints the following
named persons to constitute the first board of trustees of said town until
the annual election for members of said board, to wit : I. B. Jones, C.
A. Funk, George A. Bowers, A. E. Neumeister, and A. H. Rhodes.
The present (1882) officials of the town are Lott Watts, F. J. Bay-
less, Eben Buck and A. H. Rhodes. Of these Lott Watts is chairman
of the board, and A. H. Rhodes, clerk. W. L. Crocket is town marshal.
SOCIETIES.
Watson Lodge No. 300, I. O. O. F., was first organized in Sonora,
June 4, 1873, with the following charter members : Spier Spencer, Isaac
Sharp, Thomas N. Morrow, George H. Kearn, and Martin Fisher.
The first officers chosen were Isaac Sharp, N. G.; Thomas Morrow,
V. G. ; George H. Kearn, Secretary, Spier Spencer, Treasurer, and Mar-
tin Fisher, Warden.
The following have filled the position of Noble Grand from the
periods indicated by the dates appended to their several names : W. P.
828 HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
Stafford, on the removal of the lodge from Sonora to Watson, June, 1874;
J. W. Hoover, 1875 ; W. P. Stafford, 1876; J. A. Horn, 1877 ; Joel W.
Hoover, 1878 ; O. W. Squires, 1879; O. A. Sharp, 1880 ; N. N. Green,
1881.
The present (1882) officers of the lodge are N. N. Green, N. G.;
James Casey, V. G. ; George Dragoo, Secretary, and Joel Horn, Treas-
urer. The present membership is thirty-two. The charter of this lodge
was granted by Grand Master M. C. Libby, June 4, 1873.
SONORA LODGE, NO. 200, A. F. & A. M.,
was organized in the town of Sonora, under a dispensation from the
Grand Lodge of the State, dated April 6, 1867, and was set to work by
Rt. W. D. G. M. Gee. The following named constituted the original
membership : Rev. Isaac Chivington, David McNeal, W. L. Reeves,
Thomas McAdam, Stephen South, Lewis Lawrence, Rev. A. A. Starns,
Robert Furguson, D. B. Morgan, W. C. Morgan, A. W. Matthews, J. M.
Cross and Sylvester Hall. Isaac Chivington was appointed W. M.;
David McNeal, S. W., and W. T. Reeves, J. W.
On the 27th of December, 1867, they assembled under their charter
granted October 19, 1867, and held their first election of officers, which
resulted as follows : W. L. Reeves, W. M ; David McNeal, S. W.; W.
H. Morgan, J. W.; W. R. Horn, Secretary, and L. Lawrence, Tyler.
The second annual election occurred December 27, 1868, and resulted
as follows: W. L. Reeves, W. M.; Robert Furguson, S. W. ; Thomas
McTlravy, J. W.; John McNeal Secretary ; John Jones, Tyler.
At the third election, held December 27, 1869, the following officers
were chosen : W. L. Reeves, W. M.; C. W. Harris, S. W.; Thomas McTl-
ravy, J. W.; A. H. Hunniston, Secretary ; A. H. Rhodes, Tyler.
There is no record extant of the election of 1870.
It was, thereafter, determined to hold the annual elections on St.
John the Evangelist's Day, instead of on St. John the Baptist's, as here-
tofore. Accordingly, on the 24th of June, 187 1, an election was held
which resulted as follows : W. L. Reeves, W. M.; W. H. Morgan, S. W.;
A. Predmore, J. W.; A. S. Campbell, Secretary ; L.Lawrence, Tyler.
The fifth annual election occurred June 24, 1872, with the following
result : W. H. Morgan, W. M.; B. F. Plasters, S. W.; A. Predmore, J. W.;
C. O. Spencer, Secretary.
At the sixth annual election, held June 24, 1873, the following were
chosen : W. H. Morgan, W. M.; B. F. Plasters, S. W.; A. Predmore, J.
W.; C. O. Spencer, Secretary ; T. M. McAdams, Tyler,
At the seventh annual election, held June 24, 1874, the following
were elected: W. H. Morgan, W. M.; B. F. Plasters, S. W.; W. P. Staf-
ford, J. W.; A. H. Rhodes, Secretary, and T. McAdams, Tyler. This
NISHNEBOTNA TOWNSHIP, 829
was the last election held in the town of Sonora for officers of this lodge.
The organization, on the 7th of January, 1875, moved to Watson, where
it held its first meeting on the 16th of the same month.
The eighth annual election of officers of Sonora Lodge No. 200, A.
F. & A. M., was the first which occurred in the town of Watson. It was
held on the 24th of June, 1875, with the following result : B. F. Plasters,
W. M.; J. A. Bowers, S. W.; A. H. Rhodes, J. W.; S. South, Secretary,
and J. J. Vanderslice, Tyler.
At the election held June 24, 1876, the following were chosen : W-
H. Morgan, W. M.; J. T. Hudson, S. W.; Thomas McTlravy, J. W., and
S. South, Secretary.
June 24, 1878, W. L. Reeves was chosen W. M.; J. T. Hudson, S. W.,
and S. South, Secretary.
The election of June 24, 1879, was with the following result : W. H.
Morgan, W. M.; W. L. Reeves, S. W.; W. H. R. Dean, J. W., and Ste-
phen South, Secretary.
The election held June 25, 1880, was as follows: W. H. Morgan, W,
M.; W. L. Reeves, S. W.; W. H. R. Dean, J. W.; S. South, Secretary.
At the election following (in 1881) the following officers were chosen:
W. H. Morgan, W. M.; W. H. R. Dean, S. W.; A. Rhodes, J. W., and
Stephen South, Secretary.
PRESENT BUSINESS.
The present (1882) business of Watson is as follows :
Allen, P., dealer in general merchandise.
Bayless, Frank, dealer in drugs and grain buyer.
Boston, Granville, proprietor of livery stable.
Dansforth, S. C, dealer in family groceries, and postmaster.
Dean, Dyche & Co., dealers in agricultural implements, stoves and
hardware.
Durham, William, harness maker.
Finney, Williams & Co., dealers in lumber and building material.
Good, Ebner, dealer in general merchandise.
Green, N. N., proprietor of the Senate hotel.
Goodwin & Plasters, proprietors of meat market and . dealers in
groceries.
Hudson, Thomas, blacksmith and general artificer in iron.
Knowles, John, proprietor of the pioneer hotel of the town.
Martin, John.
Rhodes, A. H., grain dealer.
Sneed, J. W., railroad and express agent.
South, Stephen, justice of the peace.
Squires, O., hardware and agricultural implement dealer.
Warfield, Samuel, tinsmith.
830 • HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTV.
SHIPPING INTERESTS.
The shipping interests of Watson constitute a considerable item in
the business of the Kansas City, St. Joseph and Council Bluffs railroad,
in this section of the state, and the records of this station show that dur-
ing the year 1 881, there were forwarded from the same of grain and live
stock, eight hundred and twenty car loads.
PHYSICIANS.
The physicians of Watson are three in number : Dr. I. B. Jones, the
pioneer M. D. of the town, and Drs. Johnson and H. B. Haven.
1^*
Te— l^W^h- <?y
#-BIOGRAPHI CAL.4
AMBROSE LEE ADDINGTON,
farmer, section 36, is the owner of 176 acres of land. He was born in
Cass County, Illinois, January 31, 1832. His father, Saybird Addington,
was from Tennessee, as was also his mother, who was formerly Frances
Lee. While young, Ambrose learned the blacksmith trade, and in 1852
came to Missouri, settling in this county. In politics he is a Democrat,
and religiously a Cumberland Presbyterian. In 1859 he married Miss
Hannah Ann White, daughter of Lawrence White, of this county.
They have six children living : James L., Benjamin B., Ida Frances,
(wife of William V. Hudson) ; Sarah Mabel, Charles Lee and Eliza
Lee. After the death of his father Mr. A. moved on to the old home-
stead, which fell to him in the division of property, and now has a
beautiful and valuable home and farm. He commenced life poor,
worked at his trade for many years and gained an enviable reputation
at his business and as a man. Now, with everything about him, he is
enjoying his declining days, though not in possession of very good
health. S. Addington, his father, was born in Tennessee, October
24, 1804. In 1830 he moved to Illinois, and in 1852 came to Missouri
and settled in this county. He. was a Democrat and a member of the
Cumberland Presbyterian Church. He married Frances Lee in 1825.
Of this union three children are living : Prilla M., (now Mrs. Henry H.
Barnhart); Ambrose Lee, and Milla Lee, (wife of James H. Prather).
Mary E. died August 25, 1881 ; Benjamin C. died in 1861 ; Mr. Adding-
NISHNEBOTNA TOWNSHIP. 83 1
ton died in 1880. Lawrence White, Mrs. A.'s father died in i860. He
settled in Clay Township at a very early day, improved a good farm and
raised a family of children, who are an honor to his name. Mr. Adding-
ton was a pioneer here, bought some land, worked hard and was very
successful. When he died he had 684 acres. He was one of the best
known men in the county and his loss was regretted by all.
WILLIAM JACKSON BARNHART,
farmer, section 13, was born in Greene County, East Tennessee, in 1837.
In the fall of 1856 he came to Missouri with his father, Felix Barhhart,
who bought a farm which he improved. In 1858 William purchased
forty acres of the farm he now owns. In the spring of 1863 he went to
Pike's Peak and remained for two years. He married Miss Mary Jane
Million October 16, 1866. They have eight children : Nina Viola, Ice
Ander, Nellie A., Mary Malissa. Nora Persilla, Samuel Felix, John
David, and William Clarence. Lost two : Alice Frances died when three
years old, and an infant. Felix Barnhart, who was born in Tennessee,
died when sixty years of age, in August, 1866. William's mother, for-
merly a Miss Bird, died when he was a child. The father was married
a second time to Miss Polly Ann Runnells. Mr. B. is a Democrat in
politics, and a zealous Baptist. He has an excellent farm of 213 acres,
and is entitled to great credit for his improvements and success, having
commenced a poor boy. He is now numbered among the best and most
reliable citizens of the county.
HON. ARCHIBALD S. CAMPBELL,
farmer, stock and grain dealer, was born in Greene County, East Ten-
nessee, May 26, 1836, and was the son of Adam Peck and Susannah
(McNeese) Campbell, both natives of East Tennessee. The subject of
this sketch came to Missouri in 1857 and settled in this township, where
he has grown to manhood with the growth of the county and has kept
pace with its needs and requirements. He early bought 200 acres of
land, had limited means with which to start, but by good management
has succeeded in adding, from time to time, to his original purchase,
until he now has 490 acres, with excellent improvements, good residence,
etc., one-half mile from Watson. The surrounding shrubbery, etc., make
one of the prettiest places to be found in this district. Mr. C. has for
many years been among the leading politicians of the county and was
honored by the people as being their representative in the State Legisla-
ture, in 1878. In the faithful discharge of his duties he not only reflected
credit and honor upon himself, but upon his constituents. He was the
author of the hog law, which has been so popular since in the state. He
832 HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
is now engaged in farming extensively, dealing in grain, buying and
feeding stock, and is known as an honorable man, having the confidence
of all. He is a Mason and a Democrat, and belongs to the Cumberland
Presbyterian Church. He married Miss Nancy Jones, daughter of Will-
iam Jones, of Greene County, Tennessee. They have eight children liv-
ing : Landin Wayne, Martha S., William T., Jacob Newton, Mary Helen,
John B., Robert Archibald and Albert Brookins. James Douglas died
when two years old. Mr. Campbell has endeavored to give his family
good educational advantages. L. W. Campbell, of Rock Port, is his old-
est son, and is a leading attorney in the county. His daughter, Susan,
had the first organ bought in the county. She is a talented musician and
a young lady of cultured refinement.
SIMEON CUMMINGS DANFORTH,
was born in Atkinson, Piscataquis County, Maine, on May 17, 1824, being
the son of Simeon Cummings and Abigail Danforth. The former a
farmer by occupation, was a native of New Hampshire, and the latter of
Maine. Simeon remained at his birthplace until seven years old, and
from then until he was twelve, he was in Merimac, New Hamp-
shire, working on a farm. He obtained about three months schooling
each year. When at the age of fourteen years, he bought his time of his
father, and entered a cotton factory in Lowell, Massachusetts, where he
continued to labor until eighteen years old. From that time until he
was twenty-one, he attended an academy at Hancock, New Hampshire,
and was engaged in teaching and working alternately, acquiring for
himself a good education. In 185 1, he and a brother left Lawrence,
Massachusetts, for California, where he remained two years, working
hard in the mines, and obtaining enough to make a start in life. Five
years after returning, he went to Nebraska, where he made a claim near
where Lincoln is now located. In i860, he came to Missouri, and settled
in Atchison Count)'. From that time till 1874, he taught school here
except for six months, while in Brownville, Nebraska, and also for a
short time spent in the east. Mr. Danforth never had to ask for a school,
his services and recognized ability always being called into demand. In
1867, he bought a farm of 120 acres near Langdon, which he improved,
but in 1873, he left this farm, though he still owns it, and moved into
Watson for the purpose of teaching. Six months later he bought the
store he now occupies, and engaged in merchandising. In 1875, he was
appointed postmaster of Watson, which position he still holds. For
three years he served the people as mayor of the town in an acceptable
manner. In 1879, ^e received a flattering! offer from a St. Joseph firm
as traveling salesman, and is now acting in this capacity. His wife
tends to the store and postoffice during his absence on the road. Mr.
NISHNEBOTNA TOWNSHIP. 833
Danforth has been twice married. First, in Lawrence, Massachusetts,
September 21, 185 1, to Miss Harriet C. Davis, who died in this county in
1862. His second marriage occurred in Rock Port, February 23, 1865,
to Martha Robinson, daughter of John Robinson, of Decatur, Ohio. By
this happy union they have three children : Edwin C, born June 22,
1869 ; Evalina A., born April 30, 1873, and Simeon Guy, born Decem-
ber 6, 1880. Politically, Mr. D. is a Republican, and his religious
preferences are with the Universalists. His wife is a member of the
Cumberland Presbyterian Church.
JOHN FLEMING,
farmer, section 28, is the owner of 258 acres of land. He was born in
Page County, Virginia, February 6, 183 1. His father, Andrew Fleming,
was a native of Virginia, as was also his mother, formerly Mary E. Flem-
ing. His grandfather, John Fleming, who was born in the north of Ire-
land, in 1754, died in 1844. Thomas Fleming, a brother, came to
this country in the same ship, and also the father of John's mother.
John, Sr.,had two children, James and Andrew, the last being the father
of the subject of this sketch. James died when a child. John had good
school advantages in youth, attending the Rappahannock County High
School. He came to this state and county in 1854, and was engaged in
teaching school for two years in Mound City, Holt County, and two
years in other parts of the county. He married Miss Evaline Field, in
April, 1855, a daughter of William D. Field, then of Holt, but now of
this county. They have nine children living: Mary E., John L., Lee
D., Lillian, Lucy E., Benton S., Andrew B., Mattie and Maggie. Mr.
Fleming subsequently settled in Pawnee County, Nebraska, and was
active in assisting in its organization. He was elected county surveyor
and county clerk, and was postmaster and notary public at different
times during his residence there. He bought a claim, and afterwards
entered it. In 1862 he sold out and went to Denver, Colorado, where
he entered into trade and commission business in the "Elephant Cor-
ral," so-called. He continued to live there until 1869, doing a large and
extensive business, then returned to this county and purchased a saw
mill, which was located near where he now lives. He bought large
tracts of land, sawed off the timber, and from a portion of it he has a
beautiful farm. Mr. Fleming is one of the best posted men in the county
upon mills and mill powers, excavations and public works. He is well
known, and his advice is often sought for.
JOSEPH B. FREDE, Jr.,
farmer and stock dealer, was born in Putnam County, Ohio, February 9,
1845. His youth was spent at hard work, his educational advantages
S3
834 HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
being limited. In April, 1845, he came to this state and county.
He married Miss Catharine Giesken, April 18, 1871. She was the
daughter of John Giesken, of Putnam County, Ohio. They have 'five
children living : Clementine, John Burnett, Harmon Ferdinand, Carl
and Florentine Caroline. Mr. F. has 185 acres of land, on section 4,
some of the finest in the county. He lived with his father until he was
twenty-six years old, at which time he commenced farming for himself.
He was given the old homestead, which he has improved in good con-
dition, adding much to his original tract. His time is principally occu-
pied in buying and dealing in stock, in which he has been very success-
ful. In politics, he is a Democrat, and in religion a Catholic. Mr. F.
has been a prominent candidate for county judge, and has many warm
friends in all parts of the county. John Henry Frede, farmer, is the
owner of forty acres of land on section 4, and was born in Putnam County,
Ohio, February 1 1, 185 1. He married Clara Giesken, in 1873. They
have three children : Mary, Harmon Henry and Joseph. Like all the
sons of Joseph B. Frede, Sen., John Henry is an honest, industrious,
economical and progressive farmer. He has a good home. William
Frede lives on section 4. He was born in Putnam County, Ohio, Feb-
ruary 17, 1853. He married Miss Winie Buck, of this township, in 1876.
She was the daughter of Eben Buck. Joseph Barnet Frede, Sen., farmer,
section 14, has 606 acres of land. He was born in Prussia, March 25,
1823, and came to this country in 1833, settling with his father in Put-
nam County, Ohio, where he grew up, working very hard. The new canal
then being built through Henry County to Toledo, Ohio, afforded work for
many men at very low wages ; yet he worked at $1 per day, supporting
his family and purchasing forty acres of heavy timbered land, upon which
they went to work. After his father died, Joseph bought the interests
of the two heirs. In the spring of 1864, he moved to Nebraska, and
remained one year, and in 1865, he came to this county, settling one
mile west of Watson, where he improved a fine farm. He resided upon
this until 1873, when he came to the farm he now occupies. In 1844, he
married Miss Clara Maria Rhinemere, daughter of Christian Rhinemere.
They have eight children living : Joseph Barnet, Jr., Clara, (Mrs. Mar-
tin Fisher,) Catharine, " Katie," (now Mrs. William Eickholt), John Henry,
William, Mary, John and Frank. Anna was born January 22, 1861, and
died June 16, 1882. She was a young lady, universally beloved. When
Mr. Frede came to'Missouri, he invested in good land, and with the help
of his sons has made fine improvements. He is one of the solid men of
the county, has settled his children on farms as they have gone out from
home, and now his family are among the most prosperous in this vicinity.
He has a large farm in Worth County, upon which he has located a son-
in-law, Mr. John Giesken. He is a Catholic, and in politics a Dem-
ocrat.
NISHNEBOTNA TOWNSHIP. 835
FREDERICK GARST, .
farmer, section n, is the owner of a farm of 55° acres. He was born in
Virginia, January 4, 1830. His father, Frederick Garst, was a native of
Pennsylvania, and was a farmer by occupation. His mother, Sarah
Garst, nee France, was a Virginian by birth. Fred spent his early life
in Tennessee. He came to this state and county in i860. He married
Miss Mahala Adaline Miller, November 27, 1854. She was the daughter
of Charles Martin Miller. They have six children : Charles Martin,
(who married Bell Hall), Frederick Melvin, Rueben Arnold, George
Washington, Mary Jane, and Frances Ella. Mr. G. went in debt for his
first eighty acres of land, had bad luck, was sold out of house and home,
and was obliged to again commence entirely new, with a family of six
children to support. Determined to succeed, he bought another piece
of land, went to work, and by economy and good management was for-
tunate to obtain enough to pay for his first purchase. He bought more
land from year to year, until now he has a splendid farm, well improved,
with one of the most desirable residences of the town, a large, excel-
lent barn and many outbuildings. Though his educational advantages
were much neglected, Mr. G. now ranks as one of the solid farmers of
the county, and is a man universally respected. Politically he is a
Democrat, and in his religious preferences a Dunkard.
PETER GARST,
farmer and stock raiser, section 35, was born in Roanoke County, Vir-
ginia, in October, 1837, and when two years old his father moved to
Tennessee, where he grew up. He came here in 1858 and bought a
claim on some school land. In 1862 he took a trip to Idaho, remaining
there for three years, mining, etc. He returned with money enough to
pay the interest on the land, and went to work with his brother John
improving the 160 acres which they had bought. He first learned the
carpenter's trade, and worked at it for two years. Selling his school
land to his brother John, he bought the farm he now occupies in 1875,
containing 180 acres. He worked several years at his trade and built
many of the best residences and business blocks in and about Watson.
Mr. Garst married Miss Malinda J. McNeal in 1866. They had two
children only, one of whom is now living, Frances Edna. Mrs. Garst
died in March, 1872. For his second wife he married Miss Cordelia H.
Morrow, daughter of Thomas N. Morrow, of Watson, in September,
1876. They have by this happy union three children : George, Luther
and Lora. Mr. G. has a well located farm a short distance from Wat-
son, and with his brothers, is one of the substantial farmers of the county.
In politics he is a Democrat, and in religion a Dunkard.
836 HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN GARST,
farmer, etc., section 11, is the owner of 300 acres of land. He was born
in Washington County, Tennessee, April 3, 1847. He was deprived of
school opportunities when young, but by self application has become
one of the best posted men in the neighborhood. He came to this county
with his brother Fred in i860, and in 1864 and 1865 they went to Wyo-
ming, where, by hard work, he secured sufficient money to enable him to
make a start. They returned to this county and township, where they
bought their first land, which they improved. Mr. Garst has been one of
the most fortunate young farmers in the township. His additions, from
time to time, with most excellent improvements upon them, together
with his dwelling and surroundings, renders his place one of the most
desirable. He married Miss Arminta Hackett, September 10, 1868. She
is the daughter of S. H. Hackett. They have four children : William
Tell, John Barton, Josephine and Jesse Oden. Mr. Garst, on com-
mencing business life, rented a farm, secured a crop of corn, which he
husked and cribbed, but it was set on fire and burned up by an incen-
diary. This left him in debt for the rent, but since that time his success
has been remarkable. He is a Democrat and a member of the Cumber-
land Presbyterian Church.
marion Mcdonald good,
farmer and dealer in stock and grain, is the owner of ninety-three acres
of beautiful and finely cultivated land on section 3, adjoining the town
of Watson. He was born in Washington County, Tennessee, March 2,
1840. He had a common education, and was raised a farmer. In 1856,
he came with his father to Missouri, and settled north of Watson, where
he improved a good farm, and in 1879, the father died. In 1867, Marion
bought the farm he now occupies, which at that time included the village
of Watson and the railroad grounds, and contained 134 acres. After the
railroad was located, he sold the village plat to a company, of which he
held one-quarter of the stock. Mr. James McNeal bought of Mr. Good
one-half of the railroad plat, and presented it to the railroad company.
In 1870, Mr. G. built an excellent residence on his place, and made other
valuable improvements. His yard, shade trees, shrubbery, &c, all show
culture and good taste. He married Miss Elizabeth Brainard, August
30, 1 867. She is the daughter of Sylvester Brainard, Esq., of Cass County,
Illinois. They have two children : Willie Henry, born October 27, 1868 ;
John, born February 3, 1874. He is Republican in politics, and relig-
iously a Cumberland Presbyterian. In 1862, he joined the Thirty-fifth
Missouri Volunteer Infantry, Company E., and after serving five months,
he was mustered out on account of disability, receiving an honorable
NISHNEBOTNA TOWNSHIP. 837
discharge. Mr. Good is liberal in his gifts to the needy, and as a farmer
is above the ordinary, having been taught by his father, who has been
considered by many to be one of the most successful agriculturists in the
county.
SAUL HICKS HACKETT,
farmer, stock dealer and feeder, was born in Bath County, Kentucky,
February II, 1827. His father, Daniel D. Hackett, was born in Ken-
tucky, and was a farmer by calling. He died when Saul H. was only
two years old. The mother was formerly Maudalina Hicks, born in
Kentucky, who, after the death of her husband, moved the family to
Crawford County, Illinois, in 1829. There they were raised. At that
early day school advantages being very limited, what learning the
children had was obtained at home. The subject of this sketch was the
youngest of five children, and from his earliest recollections saw many
hard times, and was deprived of many of the necessaries of life, and all
its luxuries. He grew up with industrious habits, and with a determina-
tion to succeed, but poor in pocket. He soon bought a tract of land,
improved it, and in 1865 sold out and came to this state and county,
purchasing a part of his present farm. Upon this he made extensive
improvements, built a substantial dwelling and other buildings, besides
making large additions from time to time. He has become one of our
heaviest stock dealers and feeds large numbers of cattle and hogs
yearly, having as good facilities and lots adapted to that business, as
any one in this township. He has 314 acres of land and lives on sec-
tion 12. Mr. Hackett married Miss Polly Watts, March 1, 1849. She
was the daughter of Lott Watts, a native of Virginia, but long a resi-
dent of Illinois. They have six children : Arminta (now Mrs. B. F.
Garst), Mary Ann (now Mrs. George L. Hughes), Morton F., Zerelda
(wife of John L. Harrison,) William Levi and Phcebe Emma. He has
raised quite a family of children, given them good advantages for an
education and started them in life under favorable circumstances. Mr.
H. religiously was raised a Methodist and is very zealous in advancing
the interests of the church, giving much towards its support. He has
for many years been superintendent of the Sunday school. After hav-
ing made a successful start in life he was induced in 1868 to help the
railroad and in the enterprise he suffered a loss of $6,000, which nearly
ruined him. But with his characteristic energy he succeeded in
re-establishing himself on a firm basis, and is now one of the solid and
reliable men of the county. His father died in October, 1829, and his
mother, who was born May 21, 1797, is living with him. Though
deprived of her sight, she is enjoying good health for one of her years.
She has two sons living: Felix Grundy Hackett, living in Illinois, and
the subject of this shetch. Mr. H. has taken four children to raise:
838 HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
William Hale, Henry R. Hale, Sarah Collins, a very capable young
lady, and Owen Hale.
'SYLVESTER HALL,
farmer, stock raiser and feeder, is the owner of 330 acres of land, his res-
idence being on section 15. He was born in Bureau County, Illinois, Octo-
ber3i, 1837. He received a good district school education and worked
hard at home, helping his father, John Hall, to improve a large farm. In
185 1 the elder Hall, desiring to help his children to obtain some land,
selected the Platte Purchase, sold his valuable farm in Illinois and moved
to this county, where he bought a large tract of land, in and about Sonora,
there making a good place. In 1858 he gave his son Sylvester 120 acres
of land, which is now a part of his large and valuable farm. Few young
men made better use of their time, or the small means at his command.
With the additions made to his original gift not many men in the county
have as good a home. Mr. Hall was' married to Miss Sarah Elizabeth
Horn, daughter of James and Sarah C. Horn, in 1861. They have seven
children living : Melvina Isabel Garst, Mary Ann, Elizabeth Caroline,
James Edward, Zuritha, Cora L. and Robert Crawford. Malissa died
when three years old and two died in infancy. Mr. H. is a Democrat in
his political views and an active member of the Cumberland Presbyterian
Church. He belongs to the Masonic lodge in Watson. He is one of the
most enterprising men of the county, has always taken an active part in
building up schools, churches, and all enterprises calculated to make the
world and community better for his having lived in it. John Hall, his
father, was born in Georgia, but was raised in Kentucky. He was among
the earliest settlers in Sonora and did much to help build up that town.
He first erected a saw mill, with horse power, and afterwards built a fine
steam mill, a large warehouse and started a store, working hard to make
a business town. At the same time he was improving his large farm,
these improvements being commenced in 185 1. He married Elizabeth
Kellums, of Indiana. They had thirteen children : Wesley, Louisa B.
Brown, Charlton, Elizabeth South, Sylvester, Irena Buckham, Elijah and
Elisha (twins), and William M. Mr. Hall died near Sonora, in the spring
of 1861. Mrs. Hall died in the fall of 1875. He was an active Methodist.
NATHANIEL HAYS,
deceased, was born in Washington County, Tennessee, in 1805, and came
to this state and county in 1857. His wife was Mrs. Anna Bayless Mil-
lion, a daughter of Reuben Bayless, of Tennessee. They had four sons :
Samuel Moore, William Alexander, Hugh H. and Nathaniel B. Mrs.
Hays' first husband was Edward Million, who died August 19, 1837,
leaving five children : Joseph J., Malinda E., Mary Jane, John Asa and
NISHNEBOTNA TOWNSHIP. 839
Reuben E. Mr. Hays moved to this state and county in 1857, an^ died
in 1867, leaving a fine farm of 200 acres on section 29. However, this
was partly unpaid for, as he commenced here with very limited means,,
and had to work hard and alone to obtain a start. He had his land
improved and was an energetic farmer and worthy citizen. His sons, as
they grew up, took hold of the work with a will to help their mother pay
the debt, and for this are entitled to much credit. They have labored
together, assisting each other in business and in their speculative enter-
prises have been successful. The old farm was divided between the sons,
the mother living with and keeping house for William A. Mr. Hays
was one of the substantial men of the township, and had hosts of friends
because of his honorable course. He was Democratic in his political
views, and religiously a Baptist. William Alexander Hays, the second
son of Nathaniel and Anna Hays, is the owner of a farm on section 35
containing 113 acres of choice land. He was born in Washington County,
East Tennessee, July 27, 1847. In politics he is a Democrat. He had
very poor school advantages, but in later life has been quite studious, so
that by his own exertions he has acquired a liberal business education.
He is a young man of much promise. Hugh Hezekiah Hays, the third
son of Nathaniel and Annie Hays, was born in Washington County,
East Tennessee, October 2, 1852. He has a good farm of 113 acres on
section 34, finely improved. He married Miss Mary Elizabeth Hays,
June 8, 1869. Her father is Hamilton Hays, of this township, but a
native of Tennessee. They have had four children, two of whom are
are living : Daniel Franklin, and Alonzo. Mr. H., like his brothers has
worked hard, been economical and is now among the successful farmers
and feeders of the township. He is a Democrat.
JOEL AYERS HORN
was born in Cass County, Illinois, July 15, 1830. His father was Red-
dick Horn, of Logan County, Kentucky, and his mother, formerly Milly
Stribbling, was also a Kentuckian by birth. She died in 1859. Joel came
to this state and county in the spring of 185 1, and settled in Sonora,
where he has lived for most of the time since. In the spring of 1864 he
took a trip to Montana and was engaged in mining and the grocery
business. After remaining there for two years he sold out and returned,
in the winter by the overland route, suffering many hardships. He went
to Nebraska in an early day and made several claims, but subsequently
sold them, and finally returned to Sonora, where he remained until the
spring of 1882, when he came to Watson. He has bought and sold sev-
eral farms, and has been occupied in dealing in stock etc., very success-
fully. His farm of sixty-four acres is well improved. Mr. H. is one of
the reliable men of Watson, and is interested in every enterprise looking
84O HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
towards the improvement of Watson and its society. In all his business
affairs he has retained an honorable name, and no man in the commu-
nity has a better standing for integrity. He is a constant attendant of
the church, and has the confidence of the community to a great extent.
Mr. Horn is a member of the Odd Fellows order. In politics he is a
Union Democrat. He married Miss Addie L. Crockett, in August, i860.
She was a daughter of Leander Crockett, of this town. They had two
children : Lee Reddick, born in Nebraska City in 1867, and Carrie Lam-
buth, born in Sonora in 1869. Mrs. Horn died September 11, 1869, at
Chillicothe, and was buried at Sonora. Reddick Horn was a preacher
of the M. E. Church, and organized the first church in Sonora. He
afterwards moved to Pawnee City, Nebraska, then sold out and moved
to Pawnee County, where he died in 1858.
DR. ISAAC BARTON JONES,
the subject of this sketch, was born in Greene County, East Tennessee,
July 18, 1834. He commenced to receive his education in the common
schools and completed it at the Tasculum College, in Tennessee. In
1858 he began the study of medicine with Dr. Young, of Greenville,
Tennessee, with whom he studied and practiced for three years and a
half, attending medical lectures at the University of Nashville. Before
the close of the term the University was discontinued on account of the
war, and he failed, as did all the students, to graduate. In 1862 he came
to Missouri and settled in the then flourishing village of Sonora, in this
county, where he was soon in possession of a lucrative practice, which
has steadily increased until now he is the oldest experienced physician
of this part of the county, and to a large extent has the confidence of
the community. Being among the oldest practitioners here, he is one of
the most successful. He married Miss Drucilla E. Hill, daughter of H.
S. Hill, Esq., in 1867. They have one child living, Vernon Wayne,
born November 15, 188 1. The have living with them Emma Keele, a
niece of Mrs. Jones, whom they took while an infant and have cared for
and educated her. She is now an interesting young lady of six-
teen years. They lost two children in infancy. In politics the doctor
is a Democrat, and in his religious views a Cumberland Presbyterian.
He is a member of the Masonic order and belongs to the old Sonora
Lodge. He has been Sunday School superintedent here for seventeen
years, and is one of the most active Sunday School workers in the
county and a zealous Christian man. He carries his religion into his
every day business and acts it out in his every day life. When he came
to Sonora he had no means except his profession. He has been kind to
the poor and accommodating to all, and his life work has been a finan-
cial success. When Sonora became depopulated and this city was built
NISHNEBOTNA TOWNSHIP. 84I
on its ruins with a railroad running through it, he moved here and built
a fine residence. He has done much toward the erection of a fine Pres-
byterian Church, and has assisted the Methodists in building their house
of worship.
ADAM LIESS,
farmer, section 22, was born in the Kingdom of Bavaria, Germany,, in
March, 1826. He was well educated, and was brought up a farmer, com-
ing to this country in 1854, and settling near Cleveland, Ohio, where he
bought a farm. He remained there for five years, then moved to
Nebraska City and rented a farm, and in 1865, he came to this township
and rented land of Mr. Grosebeck. In February, 1866,. he bought eighty
acres of prairie and forty of timber, earning this money by hard work.
He brought some means from Germany, but lost it all in Ohio. He
chose one of the best selections of land that can be found in this town-
ship, has made many valuable improvements and additions to his farm,
and now owns 315 acres. His residence is a good one, and his vineyard
embraces three-quarters of an acre. He is a member of the Masonic
fraternity and a Republican in politics. Mr. Leiss married Miss Catha-
rine Hildabrandt, in Germany, in 1853. She died in 1873, leaving five
children : John Adam, Anna Barbara, Ernst Christian, Louisa and Fred-
erick. His second wife was Mrs. Amelia Folk, of St. Joseph, whom he
married in 1873. She has one child by her former husband, Emma. By
this latter union there are five children : George, Joseph, Julia, Mina and
Mary. Mr. L. was a faithful soldier for four years, entering the cavalry
in 1849, in one of the eastern wars.
LORENTZ LUTZ,
farmer and dealer in stock and grain, section 25, is the owner of eighty
acres of land. He was born in Germany, in the year 1834, and came to
this country with his father in 1839, settling in Cass County, Illinois,
where the senior Lutz entered some land, which he improved. On this
he remained until his death, in 1845, his wife dying in 1846. They left
two children : Catharine Dorrity (now Mrs. Welch), and Lorentz, the
subject of this sketch. In 1852 he came to Missouri, and in 1856 bought
his present farm. In 1858 and 1859 he was engaged in freighting for the
Government to Salt Lake and other western posts, and also driving stock
to Fort Randall, etc. This he continued for four years successfully,
when he returned. He married Miss Catharine Wilson, January 27,
1867. She was the daughter of Hon. Isaac Wilson, of this county. They
have six children : Sarah Ann, Edmund Lee, Lillian Stella, Thomas
Jefferson, Lulu Onie, and William Dudley. Hon. Isaac Wilson, Mrs.
L.'s father, was born in Virginia, December 24, 1794, and subsequently
842 HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
moved to Indiana, and in 1854 to Missouri, locating near Linden, then
the county seat, improving- a good farm. He married Ann Townsend,
also of Virginia, born January 3, 1801. She died December 24, 185 1, and
May 27, 1874, he died. They had thirteen children, Mrs. Lutz being the
youngest of the family. Mr. Wilson was elected to represent this county
in the State Legislature in 1850, and made an honorable and faithful
member. Mr. Lutz, on commencing life for himself, worked for the
senior Addington at $10 per month. He now has a good farm.
DANIEL BARTLETT MORGAN,
farmer, was born in Morgan County, Illinois, May 16, 1829. His father,
Ralph Morgan, was a native of Ohio and was a farmer by calling. His
mother was formerly Nancy Ann Stergess, of North Carolina. Daniel's
early life was spent at school and on his father's farm. He came to Mis-
souri in 1855, settling in this county in April, 1858. He married Miss
Tacy Baxton, daughter of Peter Baxton, February 5, 1854. They have
four children living : James T., Benjamin Franklin, Marquis Lafeyette
and George H. Four are deceased. Two died in infancy. Marcellus,
at the age of twelve years, died in 1881, and Leonidas died in 1881, aged
ten years. Mr. Morgan has 366 acres of land and lives on section 2. He
commenced life poor, was for two years a resident of Gentry County,
after which he sold out his small farm and came to this place, locating
on lands which are now beautifully improved and situated on the banks
of the Nishnebotna. His large dwelling and splendid barn and other
valuable improvements attest the fact that he has not been an idler, or
spent his time in vain. He is a good farmer, is ever making valuable
improvements, and is now numbered among the wealthy men of the
county. Mrs. M., a practicable, economical woman, is one calculated to
make life happy and home desirable. Mr. Morgan is a Mason in good
standing, belonging to Sonora Lodge. In politics he is a Democrat and
religiously a Cumberland Presbyterian.
JUDGE WILLIAM HENRY MORGAN,
section 3, was born in Owen County, Kentucky, in October, 1840. He
received a common school education. In 1844, he moved with his father,
Presley Morgan, to Morgan. County, Illinois, where the father made a
farm and lived until 1856. He then sold out and came to Worth County,
thence to Nodaway, and finally to Atchison County, the same year, and
purchased the farm where his son William now lives. In 1861, W. H.
Morgan married Miss Mary Bushong, the daughter of Zach and Louisa
Bushong. She died in 1862, leaving one child, Louisa, who also died in
the winter of 1881, aged eighteen years. His second wife was Miss
NISHNEBOTNA TOWNSHIP. 843
Amanda Good, whom he married in 1864. They have four children
living : Laura May, Agnes E., Henry W. and Richard Marion. In March,
1882, Mrs. Morgan accompanied these children to Lincoln, Logan
County, Illinois, where the Lincoln University is located, and where she
remains while her children are obtaining an education. Judge Morgan
is Republican in politics, and religiously a Cumberland Presbyterian.
He is a Mason, being a member of Blue Lodge, Chapter and Council.
He was elected county judge and served for four years very acceptably.
He is a thoughtful, candid and enterprising man, and has a beautiful
farm of 166 acres adjoining the town, with good improvements. His
father, Preston G. Morgan, married Miss Susan Cox, also of Kentucky.
They moved to Illinois in 1844, and then to this state. He died here in
1874, and Mrs. Morgan died in 1857, leaving eight children : D. C, I. S.,
William H., Jennie, J. P., C. R , R. P. Jacob and Susan.
EDWARD JACKSON MILLION,
farmer, is the owner of 329 acres of land, and resides on section 26. He
was born April 6, 1838, in Washington County, East Tennessee. His
father was John Million, of East Tennessee, and his mother, whose
maiden name was Alice Adilla Bayliss, was a native of the same state.
Edward was brought up on a farm to habits of industry, and received his
•education at the common schools. He came to Missouri May 2, 1857,
locating in this county in 1864. In his political views he is a Democrat,
and his religious sympathies are with the Baptists. He married Miss
Nancy Broyles, August 21, 1858. She was the daughter of William W.
Broyles, of Tennessee. They have six children : William Franklin, John
W., Martha Jane, Washington L., Charles Bird, and Olive Mabel. Mr.
M. is improving his stock with the pure Holstein breed. John Million,
his father, settled in Nodaway County in 1857, bought a farm and
improved it, and became a prosperous farmer. When Edward was
twenty years old, he went to work at making brick with a brother.
They worked hard all summer, lost their time, and came out two hun-
dred dolhrs in debt. He then rented a farm for two years, and made
two crops, one being a failure. Although the most of young beginners
would have been discouraged, he knew no such word as fail, and soon
bought eighty acres of land on time, which he improved and in two
years sold it and rented a farm. In the fall he disposed of his crop and
stock, which made the first payment on 200 acres of this farm, which he
then bought, going into debt for the remainder. He came here in 1869,
and finding the land so rich he determined to make this his home, and
'or many years he worked hard and successfully. He raised large crops
of corn and grain, fed it to his herds of stock, from fifty to one hundred
head yearly, tor twelve years, built a splendid residence and other neces-
844 HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
sary buildings. His farm contained 473 acres, making one of the most
valuable farms in the county. Mr. M. is now assisting his children to
homes and giving them good educations. His second son, John W., is a
fine scholar, and taught the district school to the great satisfaction of
all. He is eighteen years old and is determined to obtain an education,
hoping to enter college the coming fall and take a regular course of
study. Mr. Million is deserving of great credit for what he has done,
not only for his own profit and pleasure, but for the improvement and
beautifying of the county.
JAMES H. PRATHER,
farmer and stock and grain dealer, section 36, owns 390 acres of land.
He was born in Warren County, Kentucky, March 15, 1837, and in 1857
came to this state. He worked a piece of land on shares for a year and
then labored out for several years. He married Miss Nellie L. Adding-
ton, daughter of Saybird Addington, April 13, 1861. They have two
children living: Rosa J. and Laura One son died in infancy. In 1876
Mr. P. went to Southwest Missouri for the health of himself and wife,
and remained five years, working in the meantime on rented land. He
returned and settled on 40 acres of land, which his wife received from
the father's estate. He then commenced to improve land, and has been
very successful in life, having accumulated a fine property. He has for
several years been in ill health ; not able to do much .work. As a man
he is respected, and has the best wishes of all. He is a Democrat.
STEPHEN SOUTH,
farmer and justice of the peace, Watson, is the owner of ninety acres of
land, and lives on section 4. He was born November 26, 1829, in Mad-i
ison County, Ohio. His father, Samuel South, was born in Lynchburg,!
Virginia, and was a carpenter and builder by trade. His mother, for-
merly Marada Ann Bascom, was a native of Vermont. Stephen was
deprived of the advantages of an education in youth. He learned the
carpenters' trade and in 185 1, came to this state and county. He belongs
to the Masonic Lodge, and is a member of the M. E. Church. He is^aj
Republican in politics. Mr. South married Miss Mary M. Hall, in 1852.
She was the daughter of John Hall, Esq., an early pioneer. They havej
six children living : John F., Augustus W., Robert E., Steven Stewart,
Melvina Mary, and William L. Mr. South came here with means enough
to enter 170 acres of land, and after improving a part of it he bought
some 680 acres of the county, which is now where the village of Wat-
son stands. He has always been accommodating, and for many years
before the war had become security for several persons. When the wai
NISHNEBOTNA TOWNSHIP. 845
came on, the most of the men left the country, and Mr. S. had the debts
to pay. To do this he was obliged to sell his valuable lands and begin
again. He now has a good home which he can enjoy. He has been
the principal acting justice of the peace here for 14 years, and in his
decisions and conduct of his cases all have great confidence. He went
to Denver in 1870, and has traveled through Texas, each time returning
to Atchison County, better satisfied with his home than before.
ROBERT WATTS,
farmer, section 5, was born in Crawford County, Illinois, November
25. 1828. He was raised a farmer, and in the fall of 1865 he came to Mis-
souri and settled in the place he now occupies, where he has made a
beautiful and valuable farm. In 1862 he enlisted in the Thirty-eighth
Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and was with the Fourteenth Corps. He
engaged in all the hard fought battles of the Cumberland Army, from
the battle of Crabtree Orchard to the battle of Chicamauga, when he was
taken prisoner. He was confined in Andersonville, Danville, Libby
and Florence (S. C.) prisons for fifteen months and suffered everything
but death itself. He there contracted diseases which will cling to him
during life. In 1864 he was exchanged and shortly after received an hon-
orable discharge, after which he returned home. He soon came to Mis-
souri and has since remained on his farm of 145 acres. Mr. Watts mar-
ried Miss Susannah Leach, in 1848. Her father was Ezekiel Leach, of
Crawford County, Illinois. She was born in Virginia. They have two
children, Alfred and Rosetta (now Mrs. Dean). Mrs. Watts died in 185 1.
His second wife was Mrs. Jane McClird Hess, whom he married Jan-
uary 20, 1853. They have five children living : Jerry T., Elmer E., Mar-
tha A. (now Mrs. John Noble), Archibald F. and Charles H. Mrs. Watts
had one child by her former husband, Mary Ellen (wife of John W. East-
ridge). Mr. E. died January 8, 1881, leaving two children, Elmer F. and
Nora Bell. Mr. Watts belongs to the Christian Church and is an active
Republican. He is entitled to great credit for the improvements he has
made, the substantial dwelling and barn he has built, his orchard, etc.
His children are industrious and have good opportunities for obtaining
an education.
LOTT WATTS,
dealer in grain and agricultural implements, was born in Crawford
County, Illinois, on June 27, 1843. His father was Lott Watts, a native
of Virginia, and his mother, whose maiden name was Nancy Eaton,
was a Kentuckian by birth. Lott received a good common school educa-
tion, and in 1866 he came to Missouri, settling in this county. In August,
1862, he joined the Ninety-eighth Illinois Mounted Infantry, with whom
846 HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
he remained until July, 1865. He participated in many of the hard
fought battles of the war from the engagement of Stone River, Mur-
freesboro, Chickamauga, etc., performing his duty in a manner becom-
ing a soldier. In politics he is a Republican. He married Miss Phoebe
Ann Good in November, 1868. She is the daughter of John and Nancy
Good, of this county. They have three children : Alonzo Allen, Amy
Iola and Ida. Mr. W. has 413 acres of land in two good farms. He
came here without means and first entered the store of Mathews &
Hackett, of Sonora. In eighteen months, his health failing, he entered
a farm and went to work. After three years agricultural labor he came
here and commenced to buy grain and deal in farm implements. He
succeeded for a time beyond his anticipations, but by a confidential
clerk lost $1,650, which left him in a bad condition. He resumed busi-
ness against much opposition in 1873, and since that time has accumu-
lated a good property. The first year of his business he handled 50,000
bushels of grain. In 1874 he bought a stock of goods with Dr. Hardy,
of St. Joseph, but sold out in January, 1875, and in 1876 they leased a
lead mine in Mound City for six months. This also they sold out hav-
ing been quite successful. In 1880 Mr. Watts bought the farms he now
owns, upon which his two brothers are living. In every good enter-
prise, something in which the community is interested, Mr. Watts is to
be found lending his influence and means. He has a grain house at this
point and is agent for the McCormicks machinery. His father, Lott
Watts, Sr., was born in Virginia in 1793, and during his boyhood he
moved to Overton County, Tennessee, where he remained until 18 18.
He then went to Crawford County, Illinois, where he improved a farm.
He served through the war of 1812 and received an honorable discharge.
In 18 19 he married Miss Nancy Eaton, formerly of Overton County,
Kentucky, and a daughter of Benjamin Eaton. They had fifteen chil-
dren, three of whom died in infancy and eight died after they were
grown ; four are now living: James Harvey, Polly (now Mrs. S. H. Hack-
ett), Benjamin Franklin and Lott. Mr. Watts was one of the pioneers
of Crawford County, Illinois, and took an active part in its organization.
He was the county judge for fifteen years and justice of the peace for
thirty-five years. In 1854, in company with his son, James H., and John
Downey, his son-in-law, they started for Atchison County, Missouri,
and, upon arriving in Knox County, Missouri, he was taken sick, as was
also Mr. Downey, they both dying within six hours. Benjamin Eaton,
the father of Mrs. Watts, moved to Illinois from Overton County, Ken-
tucky, in 18 12, and, on account of the Indian troubles, they were
obliged to live in a fort for six years, or until the Black Hawk war was
over. Mrs. Watts was born August 5, 1798, and has lived with her son
Lott since she came to this state in 1866. She is now in the .enjoyment
of good health.
NISHNEBOTNA TOWNSHIP. 847
JOE HAYES YOUNG,
stock dealer, at Watson, was born in East Tennessee May nth, 1836.
His father, Joseph Young, who was born in North Carolina, was a farmer
and stock dealer by occupation. His mother was formerly Mary Hayes,
of Cherokee County, Georgia. The youth of J. H. Young was spent at
school and in helping his father on the farm. He was a student at the
Painseville School for six years. In 1857, he came to Missouri and set-
tled in Clay County, and in 1865 located in Irish Grove, this county,
moving to Watson in September, 1876. He learned the carpenter and
and wagon making trades in youth ; was deputy sheriff of Clay County
some time, and made a faithful officer. In 1861, he joined the Fifth Mis-
souri Confederate Infantry from Buchanan County ; he was made ser-
geant of his company, and participated in the battles of Springfield,
Lexington and Pea Ridge. He was then commissioned by the Secretary
of War as recruiting officer, and before he arrived home he was taken
prisoner, April 2, escaping May 1. He was recaptured and imprisoned
at St. Louis, and, after a few months, sent North and exchanged. He
then was ordered to organize a company, which he recruited and which
consisted of those who had been taken prisoners and exchanged with
him. He was elected their captain and ordered to report to E. Kirby
Smith, but before he could do this occurred the siege of Vicksburg.
They were all surrendered with Pemberton's command on the 4th of
July, and were subsequently sent to Dunapolus, to Parole Camp, where
they were exchanged on the 9th of September. They next engaged in
active service with Joe E. Johnston's command, and went through the
Atlanta campaign and afterwards with Hood. Mr. Y. was at the battles
of Franklin and Nashville, and late went to Mississippi and Alabama,
where he remained until the close of the war. For valuable services, he
was breveted major. In politics, he is a Democrat. He is a member of
the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, in which he has been an elder for
15 years. He married Miss Sarah J. Cox, July 30th, 1856. She is the
daughter of Wm. Cox, Esq., of Tennessee. They have two children,
James Marcellus, born May 7th, 1857, and Robert Fianklin, born April
15th, i860 ; two sons and a daughter have died, Mr. Young has made
stock dealing his life business, and is the only exclusive dealer in Wat-
son. He is an active worker in the church and Sunday schools, and is
an enterprising citizen.
■
CHAPTER XIV.
POLK TOWNSHIP.
TOPOGRAPHY— WATER COURSES-BRIDGES— EARLY SETTLERS-LINDEN— FIR->T HOUSE-
FIRS1' PHYSICIAN-FIRS! BLACKSMITH-POSTMASTERS - RELIGIOUS ORGANIZA-
TIONS-ORIGINAL COURT HOUSE— HOTEL— ODD FELLOWS-LINDEN OF TO DAY-
NEIGHBORHOOD OF LINDEN— MILLS -COUNTRY CHURCHES-HIGH CREEK BAPTIST
CHURCH-GRANGE HALL— BIOGRAPHICAL
Polk Township, one of the original municipal divisions of Atchison
County, at the period of its first organization, included about one-half
the present (1882) territory of Clay Township, all of East Buchanan, and
a portion of the western part of the present territory of Lincoln and Tar-
kio Townships. It was reduced to its present limits at the period of the
organization of Lincoln Township, in November, 1871. It is bounded
on the north, in a distance of six miles, by the state of Iowa and by about
four miles of East Buchanan Township ; on the east by seven miles ofj
Lincoln and two miles of Tarkio Townships ; on the south, in a distance
of a mile and three-fourths, by Tarkio Township, and by six and three-
fourths miles of the north line of Clay Township, and on the west by
Nishnebotna Township, from which it is separated by the Nishnebotna
River.
TOPOGRAPHY.
The general aspect of Polk Township is that of a highly diversified
landscape. The western portion, in its northern and southern districts,
presents two distinct classes of territory. In the southwest corner, and
extending northward a distance of about a mile and a half, the bluff range
in the township approaches the banks of the Nishnebotna. This bluff
line, extending thence in a northward by easterly direction and the
course of the river being generally southwesterly, a bottom of considera-
ble extent is thus created within the limits of Polk Township ; the bluff
range, which constitutes the western boundary of the timbered region,
receding, as ic extends northward, from the banks of the Nishnebotna.
This not inconsiderable body of timber, which includes a large amount
of the best specimens of the growth indigenous to this latitude, extends
wholly, or in part, through sections 21, 22, 27, 28, 29, 32, 33 and 34, of
township 66, range 41, sections 1 and 12, of township 65, range
42, and sections 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 8, of township 65, range 41, includ-
POLK TOWNSHIP. 849
ing considerably over 8,000 acres, in Polk, of a body of timber
which extends in an unbroken grove several miles into Clay Township.
Some four or five small groves of timber are interspersed through the
northern and eastern sections of this township. The largest of these,
which lies in sections \2 and 13, of township 66, range 41, and sections 7
and 18, fn township 66, range 40, includes probably not over 400 or 500
acres.
WATER COURSES.
Besides the river bounding it on the west, Polk Township is veined
with several important streams. Rock Creek, rising in the southeast
quarter of section 4, township 66, range 40, flows in a generally south-
westerly course, through sections 9, 17, 20, 29 and 31, into the northwest
corner of section 1, and through sections 2 and II, of township 65, range
41, into Clay Township. It has several insignificant tributaries.
High Creek, flowing in a southwesterly course from the State of
Iowa, enters Polk Township in the northwest quarter of section 31,
township 67, range 40, and flowing through section 36, of township 67.
range 41, continues on through sections 1, 2, 10, 15, 22, 21, 20, 30 and 19,
of township 66, range 41, in the southwest quarter of which latter sec-
tion it enters the Nishnebotna River.
McElroy's Branch, flowing in a southwesterly course from Buchanan
Township, enters Polk in the northwest corner of the northeast quarter
of section 20, and flows into High Creek in the southeast corner of sec-
tion 19, of township 66, range 41. ,
BRIDGES.
There are across the streams within the limits and along the borders
of Polk Township, nineteen and a-half bridges of various span and char-
acter of construction, all of which will be found specifically located and
described in the general chapter of this work concerning bridges.
EARLY SETTLERS.
Among the early settlers of Polk Township were Justus Hall, a Ger,-
man, whose son, Edward Hall, kept a saloon on the town site of Linden
before the public sale of lots in the place. C. Clipfiel, also a German,
since dead, settled in 1842, as did also John George Woolf, who settled
on the town quarter of Linden. John Branstein, another German, came
in an early day. Lawrence White and Thomas Martin, trom Ohio ;
Moses Beal, who died in 1852 ; A. McElroy, one of the original county
judges ; Judge McDonald and Joshua McDonald, from Ohio, (the latter
was a noted fiddler at the popular hoe-downs and shin-digs of the
early days of Atchison County) ; Thomas Stafford, and a man by the
850. HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
name of Rafferty, both of whom moved to the State of Oregon, in an
early day, came in with the first settlers of the township ,- Dr. Richard
Buckham, from Kentucky, who located in the township before Linden
was laid out ; Peter Low, from the State of New York, was also a very
early settler ; James Low, his son, went to the State of Oregon, then a
territory, in 1846, and then to California, whence he returned to Linden,
near which town he built a steam saw and grist mill ; Judge Jere Pur-
dum, formerly of the county bench, and now (1882) a resident of the city
of Rock Port, came from Ohio in 1844, and settled in what is now the
southern part of Polk Township ; Asa Jackson, a native of Kentucky,
and now a resident of Texas, settled in the township in 1842; John
Stoner settled there in the same year ; Lewis Hays, of Indiana, (since
dead,) came in 1843 ; Abraham King and Bennet King, both from
Indiana, settled there in 1845 ; two years before this period Isaac Wal-
lace, who did the carpenter work on the Linden courthouse, settled in
the township.
Dr. Robert Buckham, from Caseyville. Kentucky, was the first phy-
sician to settle in Polk Township. He moved from Fugitt's Mill to
Linden on the first laying out of the town, where he kept the first drug
store established in the place. He afterwards erected for an office and
drug store, the only brick building ever put up in the town. It was a
small one-story house, and was destroyed in 1871 by an accidental fire-
LINDEN.
The following appears on record in the clerk's office of the county
court.
"January 21, 1846.
" To the Honorable Judge of the Twelfth Judicial Circuit of the State of
Missouri :
The undersigned commissioners appointed to locate a county seat
for the county of Atchison and state of Missouri, having attended to the
duty assigned them according to law, make report as follows : That
they have selected as a site for the seat of justice for said county the
southwest quarter of section 34, township 66, range 41.
WILLIAM BROWN,
JAMES MILLER.
JOSEPH WALKER."
Said report having been considered by the court, is approved. The
following appears on record April 14, 1846 :
" The undersigned commissioner of the county seat of Atchison
County, submits the following as a report of his proceedings : Said
county seat has been laid off as follows : The public square, 180 feet
square ; the four principal streets crossing the public square at right
angles, sixty-six feet wide, the lots laid off 60x120 feet ; the back streets
laid off fifty feet, and the alleys, sixteen and a half feet wide. The rem-
POLK TOWNSHIP. 8 '5 V
nant of land laid off in small lots, streets and alleys, is forty-five acres-,,
no roods and thirteen perches. A number of out lots have also been
laid off of various sizes, amounting in all to twenty-seven acres,, one:
rood and fifteen perches.
All of which is respectfully submitted.
F. M. VVARNCASTLE.
At the October term of 1846 the county court borrowed of Daniel
McKissock the sum of two hundred dollars, for six months, at the rate of
fifteen per cent, per annum, for the purpose of entering the town quarter.
At the November term, 1846, the said $200 was reported paid by-
Daniel Lowber, Commissioner for Atchison County, Missouri, to Bela M.
Hughes, receiver at the land office in Plattsburg, the entry price being
$1.25 per acre.
The town included the following named streets : The public square
which occupied the centre of the town, was bounded by Polk and Market
Streets, running north and south, and by Jackson and Jefferson, running
east and west. The streets running north and south beginning at the
west were Liberty, Wood, Penn, Polk, Market, Oak, Prairie and East.
The cross streets running east and west beginning at the north are Wolf,
Bluff, Jackson and Jefferson. Besides these, there were out lots on the
north, south, east and west.
At the April term of the county court for the year 1847 the super-
intendent of construction of the court house submitted his plan for the
same, which was approved and the contract let accordingly to Isaac F.r
Wallis for $475- A detailed description of this primitive structure
will be found under the head of public buildings. It is worthy of note
however, that this initial structure in the way of a temple of justice
was not erected on the public square, but on an adjoining street, the
center of the square having been reserved for the future and permanent
court house which, however, in consequence of the removal of the
county seat to Rock Port, nine years after, was never built.
Of the exact date of the sale of lots in the town of Linden by the
county the records fail to make mention. A statement filed in the
clerk's office at the April term shows the following report of funds paid
into the treasury by Daniel D. Lowber, commissioner of the county
seat :
Sale of town lots $131 14
Amount borrowed from Internal Improvement Fund 181 49-
Amount borrowed from Road and Canal Fund 3 1 18
$343 81
Expenditures $200 00
Six months interest on same 12 67
$212 67
852 HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
On the day of the lot sale there were but two buildings in Linden :
Hall's unfinished saloon shanty and Warncastle's sixteen-foot square
log cabin.
It would seem from the number of claimants allowed compensa-
tion by the county court at the August term, 1846, for laying out the
county seat, that not a few were required to perform that seemingly
arduous undertaking. In the first place, Henry H. Bruce, the surveyor,
was allowed $22.50 for laying out the town. Under the head of " For
Labor Performed in Laying out the Town of Linden " we find the fol-
lowing : John Gard, $6.37; George Wolf, $10.87; Justus Hall, $4.87;
Alexander McElroy, $6; Samuel Rafferty, $2.50 ; William Frame, $1 ;
Robert World, $2 ; Edward Hall, $4.87 ; Robert World for furnishing
stakes, $2. Samuel Rafferty's claim for labor performed was in crying
of lots. The nature of the labor performed by the others the sale we
must leave to the imagination of the reader.
On the third Monday in June, 1846, court met for the first time in
the town of Linden. This meeting was in pursuance of an order made
at the April term of the same year. It occurred before the building of
the court house, and the temporary quarters of the honorable body in
Warncastle's log cabin were of an exceedingly primitive character.
Conrad Clipfiel and John George Woolf were the first settlers of
Polk Township. Woolf settled on the southwest quarter of section 34
(the town quarter) and Clipfiel on the northeast quarter of section 34,
township 66, range 41. The widow of Conrad Clipfiel still resides on
this original homestead. They both located there in 1842.
George Klaus, from Ohio, settled on the southwest quarter of section
34, townsip 66, range 41, where he still (1882) resides, and on which he
has one of the best barns in the county.
Daniel Lowber, from Indiana, taught in 1844, the first school estab-
lished in Polk Township. On the laying out of Linden, four years after,
Lowber taught the first school in that town. This was in the same cabin
which was moved from its original site, one mile northwest.
FIRST HOUSE.
The question as to who built the first house in the town of Linden is
not fully determined, the credit of that distinction bei g claimed both
for Ed. Hall, the father of the whisky business in the town, and also for
F. M. Warncastle, the pioneer attorney for the same. It is, however, the
general opinion that while Hall was the first to commence business, he
did so before his saloon was roofed in, while Warncastle's business being
of a less pressing nature, he had ample time to complete his building, a
log house sixteen feet square, and was comfortably housed before his
more successful competitor for the distinction of priority in architectural
POLK TOWNSHIP. . 853
enterprise, could afford leisure from his remunerative business to cover
in his roof.
The first circuit court which assembled after the erection of these
buildings in Linden, met, as before stated, in Warncastle's house, the
same being of the two, the larger structure in the budding city. Both
edifices were erected a short time before the town was laid out. The
records of the county court at the April term, 1846, declare that Edward
Hall is granted a license to keep tavern in the town of Linden, and
gives bond in the sum of $500. Tavern here means saloon. Ed. Hall,
after doing a prosperous business for some time in Linden moved to
California. Success seems to have crowned his efforts in life and he now
(1882) resides in the city of New York in possession of immense wealth.
The first store in Linden was started in the spring of 1847 by
Nuckols & Hail. The second mercantile establishment in the place was
a small concern owned by Smith & Tootle and conducted by a man by the
name of Booth. It was moved to Linden from the vicinity of Fugitt's
Mill shortly after the starting of the town. Thomas Zook, from Oregon,
in Holt County, also had a small store in the town of Linden. While
others at different periods sold goods there, there never were, at anyone
time, more than three stores in the place.
Warncastle's sixteen foot square log cabin subserved, in its earlier
day, many purposes. It not only accommodated the circuit court up to
the period of the building of the court house in Linden, but afforded
office room for the only physician in the neighborhood, as well as for the
solitary attorney, by whom it was built. A shed was afterwards added
for the accommodation of the grand jury.
On the completion of the court house, the Warncastle building
was converted into a saloon.
The first physician to settle in the town of Linden was Dr. Robert
Buckham, the pioneer physician of Atchison County before referred to.
He had originally (in 1845) located at Rock Creek, near Fugitt's Mill.
On the laying out of the county seat, in 1846, he moved to the place, and
has since continued to make Linden his home where he still, (1882,)
though advanced in years, continues to reside in the practice of his pro-
fession.
Peter Christian opened the first blacksmith shop in Polk Township.
This was in Linden the year the town started. Shortly after, a Mormon
by the name of Turpin started a shop in the town. John Hall, a brother
of Justus Hall, had the first wagon shop in Linden.
The first postmaster of the town of Linden was A. A. Bradford, the
circuit clerk. He was appointed in 1846. The second to hold the office
was Edward Hall, of the firm of Nuckols & Hall, merchants. He was
appointed in 1849. ^ 1S uncertain who succeeded him. Thomas Schrack
had the office from 1861 to 1864, when he was succeeded by A. Millsaps.
$54 HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
In 1866 J. G. Lewis succeeded to the position, which he continued to
hold till 1868, when he was, in turn, succeeded by John Woodberry. In
1869 the Linden postoffice was discontinued, and for a period of ten
years there was no direct mail communication with the place. At last,
in 1879, a post office to which weekly mail is sent was established for
Linden. The original name, however, was ignored and that of Magnet
substituted. A. S. Jones was appointed postmaster. He was succeeded
by the present (1882) official, A. Millsaps.
RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS.
The first sermon preached in Linden was delivered by Elder John
Mullis, Sr., of the " Christian" Church. This was in a very early day.
The first church to effect an organization in the town of Linden was the
Methodist Episcopal. They were at no time, however, provided with a
building, and have long since ceased to exist as a local church in the
place. •
The present organization of the Christian Church of Linden was
effected by Elder John O. White, in December, 1858, with the following
members : Henry B. Barger, Phoebe Barger, Mary Barger, William H.
Barger, Zerilda Barger, J. Q. Adcock, Peter Redick, Rachel Redick and
Nancy Redick. The present (1882) membership is about 100. Elder
D. A. Quick is pastor of the church. Prior to the year 1877 the congre-
gation was without a church edifice and met at school houses in the
neighborhood. The present neat building, an unpretending frame, 22x50
feet, was erected in 1877, chiefly by voluntary contributions of labor and
money on the part of members and others. It stands in the center of
the public square, the site designed for the second court house building,
which, unfortunately for Linden, was never erected in her midst.
THE ORIGINAL COURT HOUSE
building was purchased by the citizens of the district for the sum of $225.
It was cut down from a two to a one story building, and moved across
the street, where it still stands, converted into a public school house.
This was accomplished on the removal of the county seat from Linden,
in 1856.
HOTEL.
Conrad Clipfiel ran the first hotel in Linden. The building in which
he kept was a good frame house, which he erected for that purpose. This
house continued to be kept as a hotel as late as 1862. It was afterwards
moved away from the town site to his farm in the immediate neighbor-
hood and converted into a residence. It is still (1882) occupied as a
dwelling by Mrs. Clipfiel, the widow. The farm on which this building
. POLK TOWNSHIP. 855
stands is one of the best improved in this section of the country. It
includes an orchard of 1,500 bearing apple trees and is the largest in the
county.
THE ODD FELLOWS
had the only secret benevolent society in the town of Linden. Though
no definite record of the institution yet remains, it is said to have been,
in its day, a prosperous organization with a full membership. It was
known by the name and style of Linden Lodge, I. O. O. F., and was
chartered about 1856. In 1863 its charter was surrendered. John W.
Smith, the present circuit clerk, was the first Noble Grand of this lodge.
Linden, as a commercial center, existing during the first decade of
the county's history, a period when the neighborhood was sparsely set-
tled, though prosperous to the full extent of its business, never at any
one time had, within its limits, more than three stores.
At the period of the removal of the county seat, Smith & Moore
kept one of these and Tootle & Doughty the other. These firms were
both engaged in general merchandise.
Dr. Buckham, the pioneer physician, was also at that period selling
drugs.
The senior member of the firm of Smith & Moore was John W.
Smith, the present (1882) efficient clerk of the circuit court, and one of
the most popular men, both as an official and private citizen, that ever
made his home in Atchison County.
Dr. J. Y. Bird, a prominent physician and representative citizen of
the county, moved from Linden to Rock Port on the removal of the
county seat, in June, 1856.
LINDEN OF TO-DAY.
The population of Linden in its palmiest days, never amounted to
fully two hundred. At present the town site, which appears in every
respect a desirable location, affords an aspect of decay and almost of
desertion. The two small stores in the place are kept, one by Aydlott
Millsaps, the postmaster, for Mrs. Clipfiel, and the other by C. O.
Porter. They, in common with most of the original buildings of the
town, are ghostly, antiquated looking structures of the Noah's Ark order
of architecture, and stand in gloomy contrast to the modern and spacious
two-story frame residence of Dr. Buckham, on the west side of the public
square, and the neat white frame edifice of the Christian Church in the
center of that enclosure. James M. Hull, established there in 1880, is
the blacksmith of the place.
The neighborhood of Linden is generally a rolling surface, and
where it has not been cleared for cultivation, it is heavily timbered with
some of the best specimens of forest growth found in this country.
856 HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
Some of the best improved farms in the county are also found here. One
of these is the property of Daniel Lowber, the pioneer school teacher of
the township. To George Klaus' and the widow Clipfiel's farms refer-
ence has already been made. The neighborhood of the town seems
specially adapted to the growth of fruit trees, and though this character
of enterprise seems yet to be in its infancy here, this portion of the
county bids fair at no distant day to become a fruit growing region. The
first apple orchard in Atchison County was planted in 1843, by a man by
the name of Wood. This is about two miles south of Linden.
MILLS.
There is but one mill in Polk Township. This is known as Muir's
Mill, from the name of the present owner. It stands oh the northeast
corner of section 29, township 65, range 41, on the waters of High Bridge
Creek, which, at this point, has a sufficient fall to afford the power neces-
sary for operating the machinery. It was first built, in 1848, by Stofford
& Rafferty, for a saw mill and was operated many years as such. In
1862 Godsey Stiner converted it into a grist mill, and ran it eight or nine
years, at the end of which period, R. V. Muir, the present (1882) pro-
prietor, who had previously been a partner with Stiner in the owner-
ship of the mill, purchased the latter's interest and has since continued
to run it. It is now a two run grist mill, with a saw mill attachment.
These mills are operated both by water and steam power. The latter
has been recently added. The site of the mill is about half a mile east
by south of the High Bridge.
COUNTRY CHURCHES.
The Centennial Church, a neat frame structure twenty-six by forty
feet in extent, within the limits of the Rock Port circuit of the Metho-
dist Episcopal Church, was built by that denomination, during the year
1876, and completed at a cost of about $900. It is located in Polk Town-
ship on section 26, township 66, range 41, in a northeasterly direction
from Linden.
The church was dedicated on the 24th of December, 1876, by the
Rev. D. B. Lake, now (1882) minister of the church in Chillicothe,
Missouri.
The edifice was erected by the High Creek class of which Rev. E..
Edmonds, of the Rock Port circuit, was then minister.
This High Creek class was organized in 1864. The records of the
church at that period show in this class, a membership of twenty-five.
The principal men in the building of this church were James Low, John
Zuck, Jacob Branstein, and Ransom Smith.
POLK TOWNSHIP. 857
HIGH CREEK BAPTIST CHURCH
on the northeast quarter of section 29, township 66, range 41, two and
a half miles northwest of Linden, and in the immediate neighborhood of
Muir's Mill and the High Creek bridge, is a handsome gothic frame-
structure, thirty by fifty feet in extent. The building was completed in
1882 at a cost of $2,600, and is one of the handsomest in the county.
The organization of this church is one of the oldest in the county. For
many years previous to the building of their house of worship, they held
services in the spacious public school building in the immediate neigh-
borhood of the new church. The organization of High Creek Baptist
Church is of comparatively remote date, and has been the mother of
several off-shoots which have since developed into prosperous churches-
The Rev. H. J. Latour, late of Maryville, Missouri, is present (1882) pas-
tor of this church.
GRANGE HALL.
Four and a half miles northeast of the town site of Linden, and
within the limits of Polk Township, in the northwest corner of the south-
west quarter of section 18, township 66, range 80, is located a neat frame
building, 50x28 feet in size, and with a 16 foot ceiling. This structure,
which was erected in 1876, by the Grangers to accommodate the ses-
sions of their order was completed at a cost of about twelve hundred
dollars. It stands on what was formerly a part of the farm of N. O.
Hopkin's, who donated to the order a five acre tract of ground within
the enclosure of which stands the hall. This surrounding tract also
includes a cemetery. The ha*ll is used for religious and for other meet-
ings. •
Sbiographica hM
WILBER F. BAKER,
farmer and breeder of fine hogs, section 6, is a native of Knox County,
Illinois, and was born in 1849, being a son of Rev. Jacob and Mary A.
(Chesney) Baker. The former was born in Virginia, January 16, 1806,
and subsequently with his parents moved to Tennessee. When eighteen
years old he went to Union County, Indiana, and was there married.
Mrs. Baker was a native of Maryland, but with her parents early moved
858 HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
to Indiana. In 1853, the subject of this sketch moved to Fremont
County, Iowa, where his parents now reside. He received his education
at Tabor. In 1870, he purchased his present farm. March 12, 1872,
Mr. B. married Miss Alice H. Hopkins, a native of Atchison County,
Missouri, born March 31, 1855. She was a daughter of Hon. N. O. and
Kitty (Hughes) Hopkins. She was educated at Rock Port. Mr. and
Mrs. Baker have four children living : Emma, Mary A., George C,
and Kitty. They have lost one, Anna M. Mr. and Mrs. Baker are both
members of the M. E. Church. His farm consists of 290 acres of good
land.
G. BEAL,
farmer, section 20, is the son of G. M. and Phebe M. Beal, and was born
in Atchison County in 1854. His father was a native of New York,
where he was reared, but later removed to Illinois, and thence to Indi-
ana, coming to Atchison County, Missouri, in 1841, where he purchased
over 2,000 acres of land unexcelled in the Union for productiveness. He
was a successful agriculturist up to 1854, when he was killed by light-
ning. He left, besides his widow, three children : Lucretia (now Mrs.
Rudasil) ; Lucinda (now Mrs. Taylor), and G. Mrs. Beal afterwards
became Mrs. Ford. She died in 1873, leaving one daughter, Belle. The
subject of this sketch was reared on a farm, and owns about 900 acres of
good land, well improved. He was married in 1878 to Miss Edmona
Poindexter, a native of Atchison County. They have two children,
Myrtle and Iva.
WILLIAM BENEDICT,
farmer, section 15, is a native of Venango County, Pennsylvania, was
born March 12, 1828, and is a son of Alvin and Julia Benedict, who were
natives of New York. William spent his boyhood days and received a
good education in Pennsylvania. November 2, 1853, he married Mahala
O. Dunham, a native of Venango County, Pennsylvania, born May 9,
1837. Her parents were John and Elizabeth Dunham, the former of
whom was drowned in 1850. Her mother was married the second time
to one Mr. G. Hall. Mr. and Mrs. B. finally settled in Pennsylvania and
afterwards moved to Trumbull County, Ohio, living there during 1865.
He then came to Atchison County, Missouri, and purchased his present
farm, consisting of eighty acres of finely improved land. Mr. and Mrs.
B. have five children living : Frank E., Charles O., Flora E., M. W.,
and John S. They have lost two : Flora D. and Effie M. Both Mr.
and Mrs. B. are church members.
DR. R. S. BUCKHAM,
is one of the oldest medical practitioners in Northwest Missouri. He is
a[native of Sumner County, Tennessee, and was born on the 6th day of
POLK TOWNSHIP. 859
September, 1 809, and is the son of Andrew and Charlotte (Taylor) Buck-
ham. His father was a native of Scotland and a carpenter and joiner by
trade. While the subject of this sketch was very young, his parents
removed to Kentucky, where his boyhood days were spent on a farm,
which business he followed for some time in connection with dealing in
grain. He selected the practice of medicine as a profession, and applied
himself diligently to his studies in the science of the healing art, and
after preparing himself thoroughly, in July, 1845, he came to this county,
where he has since become so widely known, and whose presence and
skill have gladdened the homes of many a pioneer settler of Atchison
and adjoining counties in relieving the sufferings of their loved ones.
His rides at first extended over a wide extent of country, but of late
years he has confined himself to patrons in his immediate vicinity. Dr.
Buckham was married in 1862, to Miss Irena M. Hall, a native of Illi-
nois. They have two daughters : Highland Mary and Lucinda. They
lost one daughter, Adaline.
JUDGE WILLIAM CAMPTON,
section 9, a representative citizen of this district, is a native of Dubuque,
Iowa, where he was born May 21, 1838. His parents were James V. and
Phebe Campton. The former was a native of Morgan County, Ohio,
who, in 1836, went to Iowa, where he was married. Mrs. Campton was
a native of Ohio, and went to Iowa with her parents. His father had the
first blacksmith shop at Dubuque, Iowa. He died in 1845, and in 1848
William's mother died also. The subject of this sketch took care of him-
self after he was ten years old, and when at the age of fifteen he went to
live with J. J. Vanmeter, an uncle, in La Fayette County, Wisconsin.
From the age of eighteen years till he was twenty, he attended school,
and then devoted his time to farming. He was married November 13,
1861, to Mrs. Phebe A. Dyer, (maiden name was Cox), a native of Suf-
folk County, Long Island. She was born May 1, 1832, and is a daugh-
ter of Stephen and Mary (Hallock) Cox. In 1850 she moved with her
parents to Iowa County, Wisconsin. Mr. and Mrs. C. soon settled in
Iowa County, and in 1867 moved to La Fayette County, Wisconsin,
where he remained till 1869. He then returned to Iowa County. Leav-
ing the family there, he went t.o Woodson County, Kansas, and pur-
chased land. He went back for the family, and while on the road to
Kansas concluded to locate in Atchison County, Missouri, where he now
resides. His farm consists of 400 acres of well improved land. Mr. Camp-
ton was elected county judge in 1880. Their family consists of six chil-
dren : Thomas J., William D., George C, Charles C, Fanny and Louise A.
Judge C. is a Mason. His official duties he ever discharged with scrupu-
lous care and fidelity, and to the satisfaction of all.
860 HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
J. B. GIBSON,
farmer, section 15, is a native of Ontario County, New York, was born
in 183 1, and is a son of Benjamin and Mary (Chattin) Gibson, who were
born and raised in New Jersey. Some time after being married, they
settled in Ontario County, New York, and in 1837, moved to New Jersey,
where the subject of this sketch spent his boyhood days, and received a
good education. In the summer of 1856, he went to Des Moines, remain-
ing there till March, 1857, when he visited Nebraska. In February,
1863, he enlisted in the Second Regiment, Nebraska Volunteer Cavalry,
and served in Dakota till December, 1864. He was engaged in the mill-
ing business at Otoe, Nebraska, till the fall of 1866, after which he came
to Atchison County, Missouri, and purchased his present farm consisting
of 240 acres of well improved land. June 11, 1866, Mr. Gibson was mar-
ried to Miss Hannah M. Benedict, a native of Venango County, Pennsyl-
vania, born July 26, 1847. She with her parents came to Atchison
County, in 1858. Mr. and Mrs. Gibson are both members of the Baptist
Church.
JUSTUS HALL,
farmer, section 8, is a native of Germany, and was born April 16, 1836.
His father, Andrew Hall, was a shepherd by occupation. Justus lived
in his native country until seventeen years of age, and in 1853 he emi-
grated to the United States, arriving here early in 1854. He soon
found employment working on a farm until 1861, when he enlisted in
the Fifth Iowa Cavalry and served until the close of the war. He par-
ticipated in the fatiguing campaigns of Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia
and Alabama. He was taken prisoner near Newton, in Georgia, on the
McCook raid and 'experienced the privations of the southern prisons for
months, first in Andersonville, Savannah, Florence and others. After
his discharge he returned to Atchison County, Missouri, and in 1865
was married to Miss Ursula Ruedy. She was born in Switzerland.
They have a family of four children : Mary, Willie, Lizzie and Charlie.
His farm contains eighty acres.
HON. N. O. HOPKINS,
farmer and cattle feeder, section 18, is a native of Bath County, Ken-
tucky. He was born April 22, 1823, and is a son of Joseph and Margaret
(Murphy) Hopkins. His father was a native of the same county and
when quite young commenced to read lav/. He practiced for many years
in Bath County. He was married in Kentucky and after a few years
moved to Carrollton, Illinois, where he died. Young Hopkins went to
Jackson County, Missouri, in 1836, and the following year to Clay County,
POLK TOWNSHIP. , 86 1
Missouri, he being educated at Liberty. Mr. Hopkins was married at
Plattsburg, Clinton County, Missouri, May 10, 1840, to Miss Kitty
Hughes, a native of Nicholas County, Kentucky, born May 3, 1823. Her
parents, William and Peace (Hopkins) Hughes, were natives of Virginia,
but raised in Bourbon County, Kentucky, moving to Clay County, Mis-
souri, in 1830, and settling near Liberty. Her father died in 1838 and
her mother in 1865. Mr. Hopkins later settled in Clinton County and in
1842 moved near Corning, Holt County, Missouri, where he remained
till 1843, then coming into Atchison County. He located near the Mis-
souri River, and in 1846 settled where they now reside. His landed
estate consists of some 2,000 acres of finely improved land. They have
nine children living: Joseph, Eliza, Mary, Nelson O., William, Emma,
Alice, Lulu and James. They have lost one. In 1847 the subject of this
sketch was nominated and elected by a large majority to represent this
county in the State Legislature, and also in 1882. This important
position he filled to the satisfaction of all concerned and with credit to
himself.
JOSEPH A. HOPKINS,
farmer, section 7, was born in Atchison County, Missouri, February 21,
1841, and was the eldest son of Hon N. O. and Kitty Hopkins. Joseph
spent his boyhood days and received a good education in that county.
He began business for himself as a farmer in i860. September 2d of
the same year he married Miss Elizabeth M. Barger, a native of Callaway
County, Missouri, born in 1839. She was a daughter of H. B. and
Phcebe Barger, the former a native of Virginia and the mother of
Tennessee. They came to Missouri at an early day, and in 1855 settled
in Atchison County. Mr. and Mrs. H. finally settled where they now
reside, the farm consisting of 160 acres of well improved land. They
have a family of ten children living : James G., John W., Laura J.,
Phcebe C, Joseph B., Charles O., Bob, Henry, Louisa and Myrtle. Three
children are deceased : Orlando N., Mary A. and Bettie. Mr. and Mrs.
H. are members of the Christian Church.
gp:orge KLAUS,
farmer, is a native of Germany, and was born on the 25th day of May,
1823. His youth until twelve years of age, was spent at his birthplace.
His father, Jacob, and his mother, Ann Eliza Klaus, emigrated to America
with their family in 1835, and settled in Lorain County, Ohio. The
senior Klaus was a miller by trade, but was engaged in farming,
and in October, 1844, ne became a resident of Atchison County. The
son was reared on a farm and has since made agricultural pursuits his
life vocation, in which he has been very successful. In 1849 he was
862 HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
influenced by the report from California in relation to the discovery
of gold to visit the new Eldorado. He made the trip accross the plains
and was for some time engaged in mining with a fair degree of success.
He returned to the states in 185 I by the way of Central America. In
1852 he married Miss Margaret Hall, a native of Ohio. Mrs. Klaus died
in 1874, leaving ten children : Louis, Louisa, (now Mrs. Van Meter),
Lucretia, (now Mrs. White), Levi, Loretta, (now Mrs. Low), Lavina,
Lucinda, Luella, Lelia, Lunolla. They lost one son, Lafayette. Mr. K.
married for his second wife Mrs. Adaline Barger, whose maiden name
was Burns, in 1876; she is a native of Lafayette County, Missouri.
Their family by this marriage consists of two children : Flora and
Charlie. Mrs. Klaus has four children by a former marriage : Melissa,
(now Mrs. Jenkins), Henry B., Lydia and Viola. Few men are more
widely or favorably known throughout the county. He has never
sought or held a public office, nor is he a candidate for popularity or
public fame. He is a plain, unassuming farmer, social and obliging as a
neighbor, kind and warm hearted as a friend, law abiding as a citizen,
hospitable and generous to all ; a citizen of whom his adopted country
may well be proud. His farm contains 350 acres, with excellent
improvements.
THOMAS McTLRAVEY,
farmer, section 11, is a native of Ireland, and was born in January, 1831.
His parents were Thomas and Mary (Higgison) McTlravey. Thomas
remained in his native country till 1852, when, with his mother, he came
to America, landing at New York. He went direct to Beardstown,
Cass County, Illinois, devoting his time to farming. October 5, 1858,
Mr. McTlravey married Miss Elizabeth M. Morrow, a native of Greene
County, Illinois, born January 31, 1836. They soon settled at Lancas-
ter, Cass County, Illinois, remaining there till 1863, when he moved to
Nebraska. After living there a short time he settled in the river bot-
toms in Atchison County, Missouri, where he resided till 1877. He
then purchased his present farm, consisting of 320 acres of fine land,
well improved. They have seven children living : John A., Thomas A.,
Rebecca E., Charles A., Eliza J., Maggie and Franklin D. One is
deceased, Mary Louisa. Mr. and Mrs. McTlravey are both members of
the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. He is a Master Mason.
H. P. MOORE, M. D.,
is one of Atchiscn County's most worthy and re&pected citizens. He
was born in Yates County, New York, May 31, 1823. His father, Wil-
liam Moore, was a native of the same state, as was also his mother,
whose maiden name was Mary Phillips. H. P. lived at his birth place
POLK TOWNSHIP. 863
until twelve years of age, and then accompanied his parents to Carroll
County, Indiana, where he was reared on a farm until eighteen years of
age. His education until this time had been confined to the common
schools of the vicinity. He then entered the State Institution at Jack-
sonville, Illinois. After selecting the practice of medicine as a profes-
sion, he commenced reading with Dr. James M. Justice, an eminent
physician of Logansport, Indiana. He attended lectures at the Cincin-
nati Medical College, also Rush Medical College, of which he was a grad-
uate. He came to Atchison County, Missouri, first in 1847, and in 1855,
made it his home, where for twenty-seven years he has been a leading
medical practitioner. He is well known throughout the county, and the
respect shown him is as wide as his acquaintance, and to his most
thorough qualifications as a physician he adds promptness and dispatch
in professional duty, and is ever ready, regardless of distance or weather
to attend to the wants of the afflicted. He is a man of kindly feelings
and his heart as well as his judgment prompts him to be very attentive
to the sick and suffering. He has served the citizens of the county as a
member of the county court, and proved himself a prompt, reliable and
efficient official. He is largely interested in agricultural pursuits, and
owns 1,200 acres of land. Dr. Moore was married in 1856, to Miss Eliza
Matthews, a native of Platte County, Missouri, who came with her
parents to Atchison County, they being among its first settlers. Their
family consists of seven children : Gobryas, George, Lincoln, Mary,
Henry, Jennie and Frank. The doctor is a member of the Masonic fra-
ternity, and an active member and liberal supporter of the Baptist Church.
W. D. MORROW,
farmer, section 10, was born in Greene County, Illinois, June 21, 1836,
and was the youngest son of Allen and Lizzie (Robertson) Morrow.
His father was born in 1783, and died in 1854. His mother, who was
born in 1794, died in 1853. They had settled in Greene County, Illinois,
in 1833. The subject of this sketch spent his boyhood days, and was
educated in his native county. October 15, 1866, he married Miss Lizzie
Allen, a native of Greene County, Illinois, born March 11, 1841. When,
five years old she moved to Mason County, Illinois, where she was
raised. Upon the death of her father she went to Cass County, Illinois,
where she was married. In 1870 Mr. and Mrs. Morrow came to Atchi-
son County, Missouri, and settled where they now reside. Their family
consists of five children living: Edna, Jesse, Naomi, Ruth and George
W. Lillian Ann is deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Morrow are both church
members.
864 HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
C. H. MILLER,
farmer and carpenter, section 9, is a native of Wayne County, Michigan,
and was born on the 3d day of February, 1837. His father, Richard D.,
was a native of New York, and a wagonmaker by trade. His mother's
maiden name was Sarah Whitaker, and she was born in England. The
subject of this sketch, when quite young, was taken by his parents to
Wayne County, Indiana, where his youthful days were spent on a farm
and in learning the carpenters' trade. In 1858 he emigrated to Nebraska,
and during the late war he enlisted in a batallion of Nebraska cavalry,
which was afterwards consolidated with scattering companies and was
known as the Fifth Iowa Cavalry. They participated in the campaigns
through Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama and Mississippi. After the
war he settled in Atchison County, and has since worked at his trade
and conducted his farming operations. His farm contains no acres of
choice land. Mr. Miller was married August 3, 1871, to Miss Deborah
Postlewaite, who was born in Ohio in 1837. Her father, Joseph Postle-
waite, was a native of Virginia, and her mother, whose maiden name
was Margaret Gilson, was born in Maryland. Mr. and Mrs. Miller's
family consists of two children : Joseph R. and Mary C.
A. S. NOBLITT,
farmer, section 1 1, a native of Grayson County, Virginia, was born
August 2, 18 16, and is a son of Abraham and Elizabeth (Nuckles) Nob-
litt, who were natives of Virginia. The father was born in 1772 and
died in 1838. His mother, who was born in 1777, died in 1836. The
subject of this memoir remained in Virginia till at the age of twenty
years, when he went to Campbell County, Tennessee, there devoting his
time to farming. He. was married on May 21, 1838, to Miss Nancy Gib-
son, a native of Russell County, Virginia, born August 28, 18 18. Mr.
and Mrs. Noblitt remained in Tennessee till the spring of 1838, when
they moved to Ray County, Missouri, and in 1848 he came to where he
now resides. Mrs. N. died leaving six children : I. C, James S., Charles
V., Lucinda, W. J. and George. Mr. N. was married the second time to
Fatima Holly, a native of East Tennessee, born April 15, 1835. She
came to Atchison County, Missouri, in 1856. By this union they have
a family consisting of Sarah E., Etha L., Mollie, John, and Lillia May,
having lost Addison, Dartholla and Bert.
J. S. NOBLITT,
farmer, section 10, was born in Ray County, Missouri, on October 13,
1842, being a son of A. S. and Nancy (Gibson) Noblitt. Young Nob-
litts came to Atchison County, Missouri, with his parents in 1848, where
POLK TOWNSHIP. 865
he was raised. He married May 8, 1870, Miss Emma McLaughlin, a
native of Ray County, Missouri, born January 16, 1848. She was the
daughter of Samuel and Pulaski McLaughlin, natives of Tennessee, who
came to Missouri in 1842. Mr. and Mrs. N. subsequently settled where
they now reside. They have four children living : Jettie, Fanny,
Alfred and Nettie. Lilourn and Bertie are deceased. Being an old
pioneer, Mr. N. is well known throughout this county.
DON. C. PATTEN,
farmer, section 3, was born in Lee County, Iowa. His father, Charles
W., and his mother, whose maiden name was Margaret Campbell, early
moved from Iowa to Missouri and settled in Caldwell County, on a farm.
After a residence here for a time he removed to Iowa and lived there
four years. After residing in Iowa, Kansas and different parts of Mis-
souri he came to this county, in i860, and has since devoted himself to
farming and stock raising. He owns 347 acres of choice land and is num-
bered among the leading and substantial farmers for which Atchison
County is noted. Mr. Patten was married, in 1869, to Miss Catharine
Stoner, a daughter of John Stoner, who was one of the early settlers of
the county. She was born May 10, 1849.
JOHN PURDUM,
farmer, section 9, is a native of Atchison County, Missouri, and was born
May 29, 1847. His father, Jeremiah Purdum, is one of Atchison County's
oldest and most respected citizens. John's boyhood days were spent on
his father's farm, and he has made it his life vocation. He owns a farm
of 120 acres. He has been twice married, first, in 1874 to Miss Susan
Barlow ; she died in 1877. His second marriage occurred in March,
1878, to Miss Sophia Moore a native of Pike County, Illinois. They
have two children : Freddie and Geneva. Mr. P. is an excellent agri-
culturist, and conducts a good farm.
JOHN RICHARDS,
farmer and stock raiser, section 34, is a native of Wayne County, Ohio,
and was born on the 3d day of November, 1837. His father, Solomon
Richards, was of Welsh descent. The maiden name of his mother was
Matilda Mclntyre. His Grandfather Richards was born in Wales and
immigrated to America at an early day. He was a soldier in the revo-
lutionary war and was with Gen. Washington when he crossed the Del-
aware River, at Trenton, New Jersey. He died at the remarkable age
of one hundred and four years. Although urged to accept a pension he
steadfastly refused, a marked contrast to the unworthy recipients of this
866 HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
much abused provision for those it was intended to benefit. Mr. Rich-
ards grandmother was of German extraction. John's youth was spent
at the place of his birth until he attained the age of sixteen. Up to this
period his education was confined to the neighborhood schools. He then
went to Fort Wayne, Indiana, and remained in school two years, after
which he had recourse to the occupation of all aspiring youth, school
teaching. After teaching one year in Fountain County, Indiana, he, in
1857, immigrated to Nebraska, but, becoming dissatisfied with the out-
look, he retraced his steps to Missouri and the same fall located
in Atchison County. His wealth at this time was only twenty-five
cents. He found employment at cutting wood at fifty cents per
day. He soon after secured a school and for several years his time was
divided between working on a farm in summer and teaching school dur-
ing the winter months. He purchased a piece of land which he improved
and has added to it from time to time, until his landed estate consists of
640 acres. Mr. R. was married December 24, 1862, to Miss Elizabeth
Hays, daughter of John Hays, who settled in Atchison County, in 1844.
Mrs. Richards was born in Indiana. Their family consists of eight chil-
dren : Matilda Jane, Sarah Ellen, Eliza Eveline, Emmet Earl, Bret Allen,
Rilla May, Frank Lee and an infant unnamed. Mr. Richards has been
closely identified with the interests of the county and holds the office of
public administrator.
H. O. ROBERSON,
farmer and stock raiser, section 22, was born in Hardin County, Ten-I
nessee, October 27, 1850, and is the son of Jesse and Elizabeth Rober-
son. The former was born in Alabama and the latter in Kentucky. In
1856 H. O. was brought by his parents to Missouri, where he remained
until after the war. In 1865 he made his home permanently in Atchi-
son County, and by industry and good management he has secured 323
acres of land, with good improvements, and is one of the large stock
feeders of the vicinity, and in his farming operations he has been very
successful. He was married in 1874 to Miss Lucinda Noblitt, a native
of this county, and a daughter of one of Atchison County's pioneers.
They have four children : Rosa Belle, Charles O , Berl O. and Lulu.
JOHN STONER,
is one of the pioneers of Northwest Missouri, and has been a resident of
Atchison County about forty years. He was born in Cumberland County,
Pennsylvania, October 6, 1816. His parents, George and Polly Stoner,
were both natives of Pennsylvania. John was reared in his native place
until seventeen years of age, and then removed to Starke County, Ohio,
where he lived for three years. He then came to Sangamon County,
POLK TOWNSHIP. 867
Illinois, making that locality his home until 1843, when he moved to
Atchison County, Missouri, and purchased a farm. To this he has added
from time to time, until he now owns 1,100 acres, and has proved him-
self one of the leading agriculturists of Atchison County. In 1850, he
went to California, and for two years was engaged in mining. He then
returned home, and has since devoted himself to his farm and stock
interests. Mr. S. was married April 20, 1846, to Miss Ellen Martin, who
was born in Pickaway County, Ohio. They have a family of fourteen
children living : Crosby, Catharine (now Mrs. Patten), Mary E. (now
Mrs. Brown), Genevieve, Van Doren, Lucretia, John G., Lillie J., Austin
F., Nelson O., Ulysses G., William M., Mollie F., Sarah V. Lost two:
Venetia and Charles C. Mr. Stoner has taken a deep interest in educa-
tional matters, and is a liberal contributor to the Baptist Church, with
which he is connected.
REUBEN MOORE TAYLOR,
deceased, was born in Washington County, Tennessee, in August, 1840.
His father, Arthur Taylor, also of Tennessee, was a farmer by occupa-
tion. His mother's maiden name was Elizabeth Bayless, a native of
Washington County, Tennessee. Reuben spent his youth at home work-
ing on the farm, and attending the district school. He completed his
education at the Washington College in Tennessee. He was a Dem-
ocrat in his political views, and a zealous member of the Baptist Church.
He married Miss Lucinda Beal, in December, 187 1. She was the daughter
of Moses Beal, of Schoharie County, New York. Mr. Taylor came here
while a young man, in 1859, and bought a farm with his father in Sonora,
where he lived until the spring of 1872. They then sold out and bought
a large tract of land in Buchanan Township. He had but very little
means in his possession at the close of the war, and soon went to the
mountains of Colorado, where he engaged in mining and also conducted
a ranch. He remained there two years, making a small start, then returned
and bought eighty acres of land, on which he settled. For the few years he
was permitted to live, but few youn^ farmers had as prosperous a his-
tory. He was industrious, and with his rich land he soon began to reap
the fruit of his toil. His farm of 750 acres on section 31, was finely
improved, and upon it he built one of the most substantial bank barns
in the township. He had made arrangements to erect an excellent resi-
idence, at the time of his death, which occurred December 9, 1880. Since
that time Mrs. Taylor has sold her interest in the farm and has moved
on to a farm of 400 acres, where she has built a fine barn etc. Mrs. Tay-
lor's father, Moses Beal, of this township, was born in Schoharie County,
New York, in 1805. He married Phoebe Moore, of the same place, and
afterwards moved to Missouri, settling at High Creek, in Polk Town-
868 HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
ship, in 1841. His early history will be remembered by the pioneers of
the county, with great pleasure. He always took an active part in
county matters, assisting in the organization of the county and township
and was, perhaps, the first postmaster in the county, being appointed as
such at High Creek. He was also one of the first Masons. Their children
were Lucretia, (wife of P. J. Rudasill); Lucinda, (now Mrs. R. M. Taylor.)
and Gobryas Beal. Mr. Moses Beal was killed by lightning in 1854.
In i860, Mrs. Beal was married to Mr. James M. Ford. They had by
this happy union, one child, Bell. Mrs. Ford died in 1873. Mr. Ford
died in 1877. In their deaths the children lost their kind and affection-
ate parents, and the community two of its most esteemed citizens. Miss
Bell lives with her sister, Mrs. Taylor. She has taken a three years
course of study at Dr. Dulin's Female College, St. Joseph, and for one
year attended the Baptist Female College, at Lexington, Missouri. She
is a young lady of rare ability, culture and refinement.
ELBERT ZUCK,
a leading farmer in section 15, is a native of Carroll County, Missouri,
where he was born December 20, 1849. His parents were William L.
and Abbie Zuck, and with them he came to Atchison County, Missouri,
.in 1856. He spent his boyhood days on a farm, and received a good
education, starting out for himself in 1869 on the place where he now
resides, having a farm of 215 acres of good land. Februry 29, 1872, Mr.
Zook married Elizabeth Smith Gibson, a native of Jasper County, Mis-
souri. She was born January 26, 1856. Mr. and Mrs. Z. have three
children : Washington, Susan A. and Clarence. They are both church
members.
REV. J. S. ZUCK,
is at present, (1882), residing on his farm in section 15. He was born in.'
Carroll County, Missouri, January 19, 1852, and was a son of William L
and Abbie (Woolsey) Zuck. His parents were natives of Michigan.
The subject of this sketch came with them to Atchison County in 1856,
and here he grew up and was educated. He began life as a farmer in
1872 ; December 5, of that year, he was united in marriage to Miss Ada
Egbert, a native of Atchison County, Missouri, born January 17, 1856.
She was a daughter of William and Elizabeth Egbert. After their
marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Z. settled where they now reside. They have
two children living : William E. and Harry. They have lost four : Arthur,
Marvin, Lewis and Elvira. Mr. Z. was ordained as a minister of
the gospel in the M. E. Church, November 23, 1874, and is an excellent
expounder of God's word.
CHAPTER XV.
BUCHANAN TOWNSHIP.
BOUNDARY-WEST BUCHANAN TOWNSHIP -TOPOGRAPHICAL FEATURES-BRIDGES-THE
PIONEER AND HIS INDIAN PROGENY-SUKSEQUENT EARLY SETTLERS-EL PASO-
SACRAMENTO CITY— MILLS-FIRST SCHOOL— CHURCHES AND RELIGIOUS ORGANI-
ZATIONS—THE GREAT OVERFLOW— BIOGRAPHICAL.
BUCHANAN TOWNSHIP.
The present municipal division of Atchison County known as
Buchanan Township, and occupying the northwest corner of the
county, is divided into two precincts, known respectively as East
Buchanan and West Buchanan. The original township of Buchanan,
which includes all of what is now known as East Buchanan, was erected
May 17, 1858, as is thus set forth in the records of that date :
" And now at this day the court proceeds to strike off from the
townships of Polk and Nishnebotna a portion of their territory, and
erect of the portions thus stricken off a township to be called Buch-
anan, and bounded as follows : Commencing at the southwest corner of
section 15, township 66, range 42, thence west on said line to the south-
west corner of section 15, in township 66, range 41 ; thence on the west
line of said section to the northern boundary of the state. It was thus
bounded on the north by the state of Iowa in a distance of five miles ;
on the east by Polk Township in a distance of four miles ; on the south
four miles by Polk and three miles by Nishnebotna Township ; on the
west it was bounded in a distance of a mile and three-quarters by the
Missouri River, separating it from Nebraska and by two and a quarter
miles of Bluff Township, from which it was separated by the Nishne-
botna River. This stream after the overflow of 1867 cut through and
now flows into the old channel of the Missouri River, in the northwest
quarter of section 10, township 66, range 42. Fully one-half of sec-
tions 10 and 15 below this new or upper mouth of the Nishnebotna has
caved into what is now the old channel of the Missouri River.
WEST BUCHANAN.
Some time after the organization of Buchanan Township, as above
set forth, the small strip of territory in the extreme northwestern corner
of the county, which comprised the original municipal division known
870 HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
as Bluff Township, and erected as such at the period of the first organi-
zation of the county, April 14, 1845, was annexed to Buchanan Town-
ship, and designated as West Buchanan, in contra distinction to the
original, or, as it is sometimes styled, East Buchanan Township. It is
bounded on the north, in a distance of six miles, by the State of Iowa ;
on the east by the original, or East Buchanan Township, and on the
south and west by the former and present channel of the Missouri River,
separating it from the State of Nebraska.
TOPOGRAPHY.
The territory of East Buchanan occupying portions of the old Mis-
souri and Nishnebotna River bottoms, which are generally a dead level,
as well as over six miles of bluff range, together with a more or less
broken or rolling territory to the eastward of the same, as well as some
magnificently lying country, necessarily presents a varied and in many
localities pleasing aspect.
Her Branch, rising in the northeast quarter of section 3 1 , township 66,
range 41, near the Iowa and Missouri state line, flows in a southwesterly
and westerly course, through sections 36 and 35, and empties into the
Nishnebotna River about half a mile south of the northern boundary line
ot the state.
McElroy's Branch rises in the southeast corner of the northeast
quarter of section 4, township 66, range 41, and flows in a southerly by
westerly direction, through sections 9 and 16 and the southeast quarter
of section 17, in Polk Township. The other streams of this township are
inconsiderable tributaries of these branches and are nameless and un-
worthy of mention.
TIMBER.
Near the waters of McElroy Branch, in sections 16 and 17, of town-
ship 66, range 41, is a body of timber, containing some two or three
hundred acres. This includes all in that section of the township. The
other and main body of timber in East Buchanan Township lies in sec-
tions 31 and 32, of township 67, range 41. in townships 35 and 36, of
township 67, range 42, and the northern portions of sections 1, 2 and 3,
of township 66, range 42, the whole including considerable over 2,000
acres of wood land.
The surface of West Buchanan Township, originally, as before stated,
Bluff Township, is composed entirely of bottom land, and is immensely
productive of corn and the other staples grown there. Though at no
period of its existence as a township very extensive, a considerable por-
tion of this territory has yielded to the encroachments of the Missouri,
and to-day the narrow strip extending in a distance of six miles,
BUCHANAN TOWNSHIP. 87 1
between the banks of the Nishnebotna and the Missouri, and known as
West Buchanan Township, embraces but little over nine square
miles. It is a dead level surface, and though encompassed on three
sides by the waters of the Missouri and Nishnebotna Rivers, has within
its limits no running streams.
Timber abounds in the fractional sections, 1, 2 and 35, and in the
west half of section 36, of township 66, range 43. This grove also
extends into the northwest quarter of section 6, township 66, range 42,
The whole tract, which occupies the extreme northwest corner of the
county, embraces about one thousand three hundred acres of timber, of
different growths and qualities.
BRIDGES.
Buchanan Township has, crossing the streams within and bordering
on its limits, eleven bridges of various spans and character of workman-
ship. These will be. found specially noted in the general chapter on
bridges.
THE PIONEER AND HIS INDIAN PROGENY.
Buchanan Township, though not settled to the same extent, at as
early a period, as some of the other portions of the county, yet claims a
pioneer within its limits, as early as 1839. This settler was a Frenchman,
by the name of Joseph Bernard, but almost universally known through
this section of the country by the nick-name " Faw-faw." He built in
1839 the first house within the present limits of Buchanan Township.
This was a log cabin on the Nishnebotna River, at a point known as the
Narrows in the neighborhood of the site of old El Paso. Here he estab-
lished, and for many years after, operated the first ferry within the limits
of what is now Atchison County. This was a noted crossing of the
Nishnebotna River on the great stage and mail route between Saint
Joseph and Council Bluffs. Bernard or " Faw-faw" as he was popularly
styled, had a squaw wife by whom he had several children. The eldest
of these, a son, assisted his father tor several years, in operating the
ferry. On the death of the old man, however, the Indian instinct pre-
ponderating over his white proclivities, he abandoned the ferry, and
crossing the Missouri into what is now the State of Nebraska, he joined
the Otoes. The intelligence acquired by a life association with the
whites, coupled with that peculiar sagacity which, in the red man, savors
so powerfully of the unerring promptings of instinct, rendered him
doubly welcome among his new and barbarous friends, among whom he
soon rose to the rank of chief, in which exalted position he afterwards
succeeded in achieving the distinction of being the most unmitigated
scoundrel of any half-breed on the border.
872 HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
OTHER EARLY SETTLERS.
The second settler to locate within the limits of what is now Buch-
anan Township was Augustus Borchers, who, with his brother George,
was also the first to sell goods within the limits of Holt County. Mr.
Borchers, one of the most successful as well as enterprising of the early-
pioneers of the Platte Purchase, settled in what is now Buchanan Town-
ship, in 1840. He subsequently founded the present populous and pros-
perous city of Hamburg, Iowa, whose limits extend to within half a mile
of the northern boundary of Atchison County, and of which he is still
(1882) an honored citizen. Simon Fleury, who afterwards moved to the
state of Oregon, and a man by the name of Lamoroux, also came in
the same year.
Among the early settlers of Atchison County, is Thomas Rash,
Esq., a native of Bourbon County, Kentucky, who, on his first arrival in
the county, in 1842, located in what is now included within the limits of
the Country of Fremont, and State of Iowa, about six miles north of the
present northern boundary of Atchison County, but in that day included
within the confines of Holt County, Missouri, which then embraced, or
was supposed to embrace not only all of what is now Atchison County,
but a strip ten miles in width off what is now the southern part of the
state of Iowa. Esquire Rash afterwards moved south, and enjoys the
distinction of having been the first to fill the office of mayor of the city
of Rock Port. 'Squire Rash was the first man married in Atchison
County. The event occurred June 29, 1842. His bride was Miss Cassa
Ann White, daughter of Hezekiah White, deceased. In l86i, he settled
in his present (1882) home in Buchanan Township. Monroe George set-
tled in the neighborhood in 1842. In 1844, came Major John Worlen,
from Germany, who laid off El Paso, as elsewhere referred to. In the
same year Ira Maxon, from New York, (since dead) settled in what is
now the northern part of the .township. Gideon Bennett, who also set-
tled there in 1844, afterwards emigrated beyond the Rocky Mountains.
In 1845, came Gilbert Woolsey and his brother, G. W. Woolsey, the
former since dead, and the latter living in 1882. G. Cronog, from New
York, was also a very early settler of the township. He went west with
the California emigration of 1849. Robert Anderson, of Virginia, since
dead, was among the earliest settlers of this section. Major Charles C.
Walkbaum, who afterwards moved to Nebraska, where he died, settled
within the limits of the township in 1845.
Rev. J. F. Duncan, a Christian minister, was also a pioneer in this
section of the county, and was for several succeeding years a leading
spirit in the neigborhood.
Jacob McKissock was also an early settler of what was formerly
known as the northern part of Holt County. That portion of the county
BUCHANAN TOWNSHIP. 875
in which he settled, however, was, on the ultimate reduction of the
limits of Atchison County, included within the boundaries of the State
of Iowa. It is not known that he ever resided within the area of what is
now Atchison County, though he owned large landed possessions there,
and built and owned a warehouse at old Sacramento City. Granville
Cox, from South Carolina, came in 1848. In 1850, came William Lewis
from the State of Ohio. He settled in the neighborhood of Sacramento
City, near the Narrows, and during the war of the rebellion, was a noted
character, engaging in acts of lawlessness to which reference will be
found in the criminal record.
Major Charles A. Holly was also an early settler of that neighbor-
hood, as was John A. Holly, of Tennessee (since dead).
A. Beattie, from Kentucky, was among the earliest settlers of this
section, as was also Charles Zachariah, a German.
Washington Zuck, from Kentucky, Captain Hunter, Joseph Pritch-
ard, Ephraim Reed, Stephen Clavton and Enoch Ingleman, all came to
the county prior to 1862.
EL PASO.
El Paso, the original town of Buchanan Township, was laid out by
Major John Worlen and wife. The plot of the survey, which was run by
Cornelius Schubert, a civil engineer and one of the original German
colony which settled in the neighborhood of the present city of Rock
Port, and to which full reference will be found under the head of Clay
Township, was filed in the clerk's office of the circuit court of Atchison
County, July 4,. 1853. The town, which has long since disappeared, was
laid out at the Narrows, between the Nishnebotna and Missouri Rivers,
on the southwest quarter of section 2, township 66, range 42, and con-
tained 27t6q3q- acres. The streets ran in a northeasterly and southwes-
terly direction, and were intersected at right angles by others. The
principal of these were Main, Second, Third and Fourth. The cross
streets, two in number, were styled respectively John and Matilda. The
only store in the place was finally kept by Major John Worlen. There
was also a blacksmith shop in the town. This was run by a man by the
name of Andrew Howber.
El Paso was, for several years, a noted trading point. Rudasill,
Cooper & Co. first sold goods there. This firm was succeeded by Major
Worlen, who was the company of the concern above referred to. They
also had a warehouse just below the site of Sacramento. This was called
the Linden warehouse, and the place was, for a considerable period, an
important steamboat landing and shipping point on the Missouri River.
The first and only post office ever established in the township was kept
by Major Worlen, in his store at El Paso. Some time after the laying
out of this town the cutting through of the Nishnebotna, at the Narrows,
874 HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
injured the Linden landing, which was its entrepot on the Missouri
River, and a landing was established a short distance above. This was
at the northwest corner of the northwest quarter of section 10, township
66, range 42. A town was laid out here, and dignified by the name of
SACRAMENTO CITY.
It was, for the period and locality, a noted business center and an
important steamboat landing. It, at one time, contained about a dozen
houses. The Rev. J. F. Duncan, who laid out the town, was the first to
sell goods in the place. Some time after, J. T. Davis, afterwards a prom-
inent business man and banker of the city of Hamburg, Iowa, sold goods
there. Mike Toulan kept the first saloon in the place. Some time after
Charles Zachariah sold whisky there. Sacramento City never had a
blacksmith shop nor a post office. A large two story warehouse, which
was built by Jacob Mc'Kissock, at El Paso landing, was afterwards moved
to Hamburg, Iowa. Sacramento afforded, lor some time, a steamboat
landing, both for Sidney, Iowa, and for Linden, Missouri.
The change in the channel of the Missouri put an end to the
importance of both localities, and the laying out of the city of Ham-
burg by Augustus Borchers in 1857 completed their destruction as busi-
ness points.
About 1872 the town of El Paso was vacated by act of the county
court and the town site reverted to the farm owned by the widow of
Major John Worlen, now Mrs. Pritchard. Sacramento about the same
period was also vacated and all the buildings worth moving were taken
to Hamburg.
MILLS.
Woodruf & Co. built the first saw mill in Buchanan Township, in a
very early day. This mill was located in the southwest corner of the
township at a period when the same was known as Bluff Township.
Ransom Parmeter afterwards had a saw mill in the timber above the
Narrows. Saw mills in different localities of the township, at differ-
ent periods, were owned and operated by Fletcher Bros., A. W. Cooley,
Samuel A. Hunter and Henry A. Lewis. Carmichael & La Teer also
operated a saw mill in the township in a comparatively early day.
About 1857 or 1858 one small run of burrs was attached to Fletcher
Bros.' saw mill. This was the only approach to a grist mill ever
attempted in the township, and the undertaking failed to prove either
a permanent or remunerative enterprise. Both the Fletcher brothers
are dead. Ransom Parmeter's saw mill was, in its day, rather a noted
institution of its kind. The locality in which it stood rejoiced in the
euphonious cognomen of Hog-thief Bend.
(I
BUCHANAN TOWNSHIP. 875
FIRST SCHOOL.
The first school in the township was taught in a log cabin above
the Narrows, known as the Wallbaum school house. The pioneer
teacher was Professor Howell. Henry Lowe's school house, built in
1852, on the Lowe place, was also one of the earliest institutions of the
kind in the township.
CHJRCHES.
The earliest religious organization within the limits of Buchanan
Township was effected by the Missionary Baptists as early as 1848.
The Rev. Elias Finley was their preacher. On the breaking out of the
civil war he left the country and went south. Though including a con-
siderable membership they were never provided with a house of wor-
ship of their own.
The first edifice erected for a place of worship in the township was
a frame structure built in 1878 by the Methodist Episcopal Church,
South, one-half of the cost of which was paid by Moses W. Payne, of
Boone County, Missouri, and the other half by the members of the con-
gregation. It is known as Cox's Chapel, and cost about $1,000. Rev.
Mr. Hedgepeth is the present minister in charge.
The Christians or New Lights have an organization near McKis-
sock's Grove and hold services at Sellers' school house. Rev. Mrs.
Maggie Wallace, formerly of the state of Ohio, is minister in charge.
THE OVERFLOW
of the spring of 1881, was not without its disastrous consequences in the
bottom lands of this fertile and well improved section of the county.
The rapid and continuous rise of the waters soon flooded almost the
entire area of the wide expanse of bottom lands, stretching westward
from the bold peaks and headlands which, in a continuous chain of
greater or less elevation and distance from the river, afford a barrier to
the encroachments of the too often turbid Missouri, in a distance of
almost its entire length. This overflow was peculiarly disastrous in its
effects in Atchison County, and not less so in the bottom lands of
Buchanan than in other border townships. The inhabitants of these
fertile and well improved lands were compelled to fly in the suddenly
extemporized boats and floating arks, with whatever necessaries could
be collected, and seek refuge in the uplands, where they remained till the
surging waters had subsided, and they were thus enabled to revisit their
desolated homes. Among the inconveniences incident to this overflow
was one of a nature peculiarly disastrous, and of such character that its
only possible remedy, anomalous as it may sound, rests in the contin-
876 HISTORY Of ATCHISON COUNTY.
gency of another overflow as powerful in its action, and as complete in
its results, as the one to which we refer. This is a vast deposit of sand
covering in a depth of from one to six feet, several hundred acres of valu-
able farming lands in the neighborhood, extending between old Sonora
and Peru landing.
The wonderful resources of this inexhaustibly fruitful soil, however,
seem generally p^oof against any ordinary assault of fortune, and few
amid the present manifestations of thrift and prosperity, would dream
of the disastrous consequences that so recently accrued to this favored
land, from the presence of a desolating flood. Washed out highways
were reconstructed as speedily as the nature of the incurred damage
would warrant ; bridges of a superior character of construction took the
place of the old crossings swept away by the booming surges of the flood ;
private enterprise, following in the wake where it had not already led
the van of public improvement, bespoke the energy and prompt deter-
mination of an awakened people, and on every hand the hum of
industry was heard in the revival of business and work of reconstruction.
Less than a year has now (1882) elapsed since the period of that terrible
visitation, and its very memory with its departed consequences, is becom-
ing a vague incident of the past, and bids fair at no distant day, to be
mentioned, if mentioned at all, with the great flood of 1843, as a long ago
incident in the history of a great and prosperous country.
A^i^.
^BIOGRAPHICAL.*
CHARLES HENRY CARPENTER,
farmer, section 16, was born in Virginia, September 29, 1833. He learned
the carpenter's trade in youth, which has been a portion of his life-work.
April 20, 1856, he came to Missouri and settled in Linden, Atchison
County, where he made his home for several years, doing quite an exten-
sive business in building, some of the best structures in this vicinity
being specimens of his work. In i860 he bought"i20 acres of his present
farm and made nearly all the present improvements, and has bought
land adjoining from time to time until his is one of the celebrated
farms of the county, having 450 acres of land. September 5, 1858, Mr.
Carpenter married the accomplished Miss Mary L. Livingston, daughter
of Valentine Livingston, of Rock Port, but formerly of Indiana. They
BUCHANAN TOWNSHIP. 877
have seven children living i Lucy Miller, William Preston, Lillie Bell,
Mollie May, George Burt, Anna Bessie and Daisy Maud Muller. Mr. C.
has an orchard of 450 choice fruit trees on ten acres of land. Special
mention should be made of Mrs. C.'s cultivated taste in her flower and
house plant department. Her endless variety of roses, with other rare
flowers selected from Father Vick's collection, together with her house
plants, renders her garden and grounds a beautiful spot. Her daugh-
ters, too, are being educated to their mother's tastes. Mr. C. is a mem-
ber of the Christian Church, and in politics is a Democrat. In his farm-
ing operations he has been more than usually fortunate, and is ably*
qualified to fill any position to which he might be called, endowed as he
is with the Jeffersonian qualifications, honesty and capability. He is a
friend to all, and has many acquaintances. Before long he contemplates
building a model dwelling.
ALBERT CASEY.
section 35, was born in Nova Scotia, in August, 1836. His father,
Edward Casey, came to Missouri and settled in this county near Phelps,
in 1849. He bought a claim and improved a farm, and the boys although
young, worked hard with their father to make a good home. Mrs.
Casey was formerly Jeanette Hunter, a sister of Uncle Billy and Jimmy
Hunter, who were among the oldest settlers here. They were married
in Nova Scotia, in 1835, and had fifteen children, six now living:
Albert, Levi, Lafayette, Miram, Annie, Mary, (now Mrs. James M.
Scammon). Hiram, a young man, was killed in a well. In 1868, Albert
married Miss Lydia Tate, the daughter of Judge Samuel B. Tate, who
was from Kentucky. He settled in the county in 1849. He married Miss
Jane Sloan, in Kentucky ; they had eleven children, six of whom are liv-
ing : Cecelia, James and Samuel, (twins), Charles, Mary, Margeret and
Lydia. Mr. and Mrs. Casey have but one child : Don Guy, born June
19, 1871. Mr. Casey subsequently moved upon his farm of eighty acres,
which he improved ; it is easy to work and sure of a crop, and is situated
on the old bed of the Missouri ; very little of it washes. Mr. Casey is a
general favorite with everybody and is candid and reliable. Fifty yards
from his door is the landing, where the steamboats used to stop for
wood, and now what was once the bed of the immense Missouri River,
is a pasture for his stock. He enlisted in the Confederate army, State
Guards, Second Regimeht, during the war, and was with General Price
for eleven months, when he entered the battery service. He remained
until the close of the war. He lost an eye at the battle of Three Creeks,
in Arkansas. He is a member of the M. E. Church, south, and is Demo-
cratic in his political views. In 1853, Mr. Casey went to California and
was engaged for some time in the mines, and in herding cattle. This
878 HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
was his first trip from home and he experienced a severe time in the cold
winter, while crossing the mountains.
HENRY H. CLAYTON,
farmer and fruit grower, section 1 1, was born in Randolph County, Indi-
ana, February 3, 1849, an<^ in 1852 came with his father, Stephen Clay-
ton, to Logan County, Illinois. In 1856 they removed to Missouri and
settled in this county and township. Stephen Clayton bought 240 acres
of land, which he improved, built substantial buildings and made a good
home. He married Miss Elizabeth Ray, in Indiana, in 1847. They had
five children : Henry H., John Robert, Stephen F., Charley McC. and
Mary Jane. Mr. C. died in 1867 and his wife in 1872. In 1869 Henry
moved on to his land, near Tarkio, and improved eighty acres, remaining
there until after the death of his mother, when he sold out and returned
home and took charge of the old farm. Here he continued to dwell until
the children grew up, when Robert bought the most of the homestead.
Henry then bought his present farm of 229 acres, where he has made
large improvements, building a fine residence, barn, etc. On his farm
was an orchard, set out by James White, of 2,000 trees of the choicest
varieties of fruit. Mr. Clayton married Miss Louisa Spellebery, August
23, 1867. She was the daughter of John Spellebery, of Germany, but
now of this county. They have three children: William Kinney, Paul
Bert and an infant. In politics Mr. C. is a Republican. He has been a
very successful farmer and spends much of his time in his orchard, the
largest in the county. He sold, the past year, $1,500 worth of apples. In
1877 he went to the Black Hills, in the freighting business, and in 1879
to Salt Lake, entering into the stock business.
ALFRED COPPAGE,
farmer, section 4, was born in Scott County, Kentucky, in 1832. His
father, Paton Coppage, was a native of Virginia, and his mother whose
maiden name was Jane Barlow, w>as a Kentuckian by birth. Alfred
came with his father to Brown County, Illinois, where they improved a
farm and remained until 1866. Young Coppage then moved to Iowa,
and one year later came co Missouri, and settled in this county, where
he now resides, after renting farms for five years to make a good start.
He has a farm of 160 acres, and is one of the most industrious and inde-
pendent farmers in the township. He married Emeline Lynn, of Illinois,,
in 1858. Her father was Newton Lynn. Their children are Eliza Jane,
now Mrs. A. T. Athen, Mary and Alice. Mr. C. belongs to the Christ-
ian Church, (New Light) and is a Union Democrat. He has been very
successful in a1! his undertakings, and is a man universally respected..
BUCHANAN TOWNSHIP. 879
GRANVILLE H. COX,
farmer, section 36, was born in Grayson County, Virginia, November 29,
1822. His father, Samuel Cox, was also a native of Virginia, and his
mother, formerly Susan Fender, was born in Ashe County, North Caro-
lina. Granville Cox was brought up on a farm. He subsequently set-
tled in Ashe County, North Carolinia, and there married Nancy Cornelia
Choat in 1843. Her father was Richard Choat, of Ashe County. They
have eight children living : Martha Jane, Joshua Carter, Sarah Ann,
(now Mrs. S. S. Choat) ; Charity Lucinda, (now Mrs. J. Smith) ; Susan,
(now Mrs. F. Johnson) ; Samuel, Fanny and Phoebe. Four died in infancy,
Marion died in 1864 in Denver, aged eighteen, William Tolbert died in
1864, aged sixteen, and John C. died in 1879 when thirty years of age.
In 1855 Mr. C. sold his farm in North Carolina and came to this county
and bought the claim of his present farm, which consists of 252 acres,
and upon it he has made beautiful and substantial improvements. He
is a member of the M. E. Church South, and is a Democrat in politics.
He is liberal in assisting to improve society, build churches, encourage
the best schools and endeavors to make the world better for his having
lived in it. Mrs. Cox died January 16, 1879, and in her death a great
loss was sincerely felt by hosts of her former friends.
WILLIAM EICKHOLT,
farmer, section 31, was born in Putnam County, Ohio, December 28 1
1848. His father, Barney Eickholt, was born in Germany, and his mother
was formerly Elizabeth Neiman. William received a good education in
Ohio. Barney Eickholt had a very valuable farm in Ohio, which was
divided at his death, which occurred in 1876. His wife is now living
with her son, in Nodaway County. William came to this county in
1869, and worked out and rented land for several years, until he bought
the farm he now owns of H. H. Clayton, containing 140 acres. He has
erected a good house and barn, and made many other valuable improve-
ments. His farm is a good one, and he knows how to conduct it
properly. Mr. Eickholt is a man calculated to lend his influence in sup-
porting all good works. He married Miss Katie Frede in 1879. She is
the daughter of Joseph B. Frede, Sr., of Watson. They have one child,
a son, Joseph, born July 6, 1879. He is a Democrat in politics, and
religiously a Catholic.
DANIEL GERMANN,
farmer, section 4, was born in Switzerland, in November, 1820. While
in his native country he worked in a slate mine. In August, 1840, he
came to this continent and settled in Princeton, Canada, where he
880 HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
learned the chair and furniture business. After remaining there some
three years he moved to Columbiana County, Ohio, built a shop and
worked at his trade for two years. He there also learned the millwright
trade and followed that occupation for several years. In 185 1 he bought
a saw mill in Whitley County, Indiana, and worked it for five years.
He then went to Hillsdale County, Michagan, erected a saw mill, which
he operated until 1858, when he sold out. He returned to Whitley
County, and in 1862 he enlisted in the army, joining. the One Hundredth
Indiana Volunteer Infantry. At the battle of Mission Ridge, in the fall
of 1863, he lost his left arm, and in the battle the steel clasp of his
money purse saved a severe wound in the thigh, and a spent .ball hit the
other lower limb. His arm was amputated and he now receives a pen-
sion. He obtained an honorable discharge at Indianapolis at the close
of the war. In 1868 Mr. G. moved to Grant County, Wisconsin, and
partially improved 120 acres of land. In 1872 he sold out and moved to
Missouri and settled in this county, where he bought his farm of 120
acres and has made a fine place. He is a Republican in politics and
religiously a Baptist. He was married in Whitley County, Indiana, to
Elizebeth Graves on April 19, 1855. There are five children living by
this union : Edmond, James Walter, Ester Ellen, Daniel Grant and
Elizabeth. Three children, William T., Susanna L. and Frank Ells-
worth, are dead. Mrs. Germann died February 24, 1876. Mr. G. is
giving much attention to the raising of the Catalpa tree, said to be the
best for growth, groves and for fence posts.
JOHN GOOD,
•deceased, was born in Washington County, East Tennessee, in January,
1812. His wife was Susanna Harmon, of East Tennessee, born October,
30, 1816, and whom he married July 25, 1833. He came to Missouri in
1854,' and settled at Sonora, but very soon bought 300 acres of land on
the Tarkio, entrusted a supposed friend to $1,100 in notes and money
to build and make certain improvements, etc., but the title was defective,
and the friend, who proved to be a rogue, ran away with the money and
sold the notes to innocent parties. In after years, Mr. G. had the notes
to pay, thus beginning in the world anew and in debt. He bought eighty
acres of his old farm, moved a shop from Sonora upon it for a house, in
which he lived for many years. He and his noble wife both worked
hard, were blessed with good success, and in a few years he added to his
farm, and became one of the most successful farmers in the county, own-
ing 340 acres at the time of his death. They had fourteen children :
Marion, McDaniel, Adam H., Andrew Jackson, Elbert, Charles Mont-
gomery, Salina, (Mrs. B. Plasters) Amanda, (Mrs. N. H. Morgan) Phoebe,
(Mrs. Lott Watts) Sarena E., Mrs. George Bowers. Two died in
BUCHANAN TOWNSHIP. 88 1
infancy. Mr. Good died April 23, 1878. He was a member of the Cum-
berland Presbyterian Church, and a Democrat in politics. Few men
have left a better family of intelligent, industrious children, or a more
honorable mame.
ANDREW JACKSON GOOD,
farmer and stock raiser, is the owner of 245 acres of land, his home being
on section 15. He was born in Washington County, Tennessee, in March,
1847, and in 1857 came to Missouri, with his father, who settled in this
county. He grew up at home, helping his father to improve a beautiful
farm. He married Miss Minnie Noble, November 9, 1872. She was
the daughter or Frederick Noble, of Nebraska, and died in Texas in 1877.
There are by this union two children living, Susan Pearl and Charles
Winfred. Joseph C. died when three years old. Mr. Good commenced
life with forty acres of land, given him by his father. To this he has
added, from time to time, until he is one of the large farmers of the
county. He has a fine residence, barns and other improvements. He
is a Democrat in politics and religiously a Cumberland Presbyterian.
Few young farmers stand higher in society than Mr. Good. His home
and surroundings show culture and taste. The senior Good gave each
of his sons forty acres of land, which they are all improving and to which
they are continually adding.
MATHEW HOUSTON HATTEN,
farmer and stock raiser, section 12, was born in Kanawha County, West
Virginia, July 18, 1838. His father, William Dunbar Hatten, was of
Amhurst, Virginia, and his mother, formerly Eliza Meeks, of Rockbridge
County, Virginia. Matthew came to Holt County, Missouri, with his
father, in 1852. In 1865 he went to Nebraska, returning in 1870. He
has served four years as justice of the peace. He is a Democrat in pol-
itics and belongs to the Baptist Church. He married Miss Nancy Jane
Norvell, January 9, 1861. She was a daughter of John Norvell, of Holt
County, but formerly of Kentucky. Four children were the result of
this union : William Price, Katie, Alvera Belle and an infant. Mr. H.
commenced life poor, and has by his own industry made a farm which is
among the best ones of the township, containing 250 acres. His place
is well adapted for both stock and grain purposes, and he is well known
and respected. He is a consistent christian worker, and with his excel-
lent wife there are but few who are doing more good in their community.
The father of Mrs. H. was one of the real pioneers of Holt County, and
was also among the first to organize a church. After Mr. H. married he
rented land for several years, and in 1865 he went to Nemaha, County,
Nebraska, and settled on school lands, improving his place for several
56
882 HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
years. He then returned to this county and rented a farm from William
Patten, and in the meantime bought the farm where he now resides. He
erected the buildings, and well knows the value of time and the neces-
sity of work to be successful.
DAVID PINCKNEY HOLLY,
farmer, section 6, was born in Henderson County, Tennessee, May 22,
1841. He accompanied his father, John Holly, to Missouri, he settling
on the place his son now owns. The subject of this sketch commenced
to work by the month and upon obtaining enough, he bought forty acres
of the farm he now owns. This he improved, and his hard work has
brought its reward. In due time he bought the forty-acre tracts until
now he is among the large farmers of the county, having 450 acres. He
has two fine dwellings and good improvements. Mr. Holly married Miss
Elizabeth Bougers, of North Carolina, November 3, 1867. Her father was
Richard Bougers. Of this union there are five children living : Mills,
Cread B., John Richard, Nellie May and Sarah Ann. William Pinckney
died February, 1879, aged six years. Richard Bougers came here in
1854 and settled on High Creek, where he remained until he died in
December, 1879. Mrs. B. died Octcber, 1880. John Hawley died May
23» l%79- Mr. H. is a Greenbacker in politics and belongs to the Chris-
tian Church. His life has certainly been a perfect success.
JAMES SMITH HOWELL,
farmer, teacher and surveyor, is the owner of 100 acres of land, on sec-
tion 1, and also has a farm in Nebraska. He was born in Orange County,
New York, February 12, 1822. He had but limited opportunity for
acquiring an education, but was a great student from early childhood.
He commenced to teach a common school at the age of fourteen years.
He has studied and taught for forty years, and has become a thorough
scholar and an accomplished and practical teacher. He was elected
county surveyor, in 1876, and served four years with great credit. He
owned a farm and lived in High Creek for several years, also in Iowa
and Nebraska. Mr. Howell married Eliza Jane Pound, in 1843. She
was the daughter ot Isaac Pound, of Orange County, New York. Her
mother was Elizabeth Davis, of Orange County, who is now ninety-five
years old and in good health. They have nine children living : Sarah
Mariah (now Mrs. Austin Humphrey), Margaret (wife of L. D. Sturde-
vant), Josephine (now Mrs. J. H. Smith), Eliza J. (now Mrs. W. H. Spur-
lock), Amanda (wife of C. W. Lizotte), James W., Jesse E., Minnie May
and Rosetta. DeWitt C. was drowned in the Mississippi River, at Daven-
port, Iowa. Arabella died in Nebraska, when two years old. They have
BUCHANAN TOWNSHIP. 88g
seventeen grand children, many of whom are among the most promis-
ing youth of the country. A grand daughter, Miss Julia E. Humphrey,
of Lincoln, Nebraska, is a graduate of the Lincoln High School, and a
talented young lady, she being among the most accomplished musicians
of the state. The life of Mr. Howell has been a grand success, as all will
acknowledge.
ANTHONY JOSEPH KAISER,
farmer, section i, was born in Switzerland, in July, 1842, and in 1844
emigrated to this country and settled in Davenport, Iowa. His father
worked at the cabinet trade for several years. Anthony attended
school and became a good scholar. In i860 he was employed by Major
Randle & Co. in driving a freighting team across the plains, and thus
worked for two years. He then went to Idaho and California, and for
four years was engaged in mining. After returning he went to work
on the farm on which his father settled and made many improvements,
among which was the erection of a new residence, and he now has a
desirable farm of 156 acres. Mr. Kaiser married Miss Frances Eliza-
beth English, September 22, 1867. She was a daughter of Stephen C
English, and was born in this township February 26, 1849. They have
six children : Stephen Christman, Elizabeth, Sarah Ann, Mary Isabelle,
David and Ida Jane. From the piece of land which Mr. K.'s father left
him he has acquired a good property. Mrs. K. is the daughter of one
)f the early pioneers of the county, and was brought up when neigh-
>ors and schools were scarce. Mr. K. is a Catholic. Politically he is a
Republican. He is a member of the Masonic order. He has a thrifty
>rchard of 600 trees, besides cherry, plum, etc. He has held the office
)f justice of the peace for several years and is a leading man of the
township.
JOHN WESLEY MAPES,
farmer, section 6, was born in Dearborn County, Indiana, April 23, 1829.
His advantages for obtaining an education were very limited, yet he has
been a student all his life and is well informed on all important subjects.
[e was raised a farmer. July 4, 1849, he married Miss Mary Ann Stickel,
the daughter of Peter Stickel, of Jennings County, Indiana. As his father
md also his father's father-in-law were millers, Mr. Mapes also learned
that trade. He rented a mill with his father-in-law, in Indiana, which he
operated for several years, when they came to Adams County, Iowa and
bought a mill, conducting it for seven years. He also ran a saw mill for
a long period. Mrs. Mapes died in Iowa, on the 8th of February, 1866,
leaving five children : Charles W., Arthur Wilson, Manuel S., John E.
and George W. He married for his second wife, Mrs. Julia Ann (Hughes:)
Athens, March 3, 1867. They have by this union five children ; Edgar,
884 HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
Bird and Edmond Fry (twins), Cora Lee, and Ora Prentice. Mrs. M.
had three children by her first husband, Mr. James S. Athens : Oswell
Thomas, Lenora N. (now Mrs. R. Millsaps), and James S. Mr. Mapes
is a leading Republican, and belongs to the Christian, or New Light
Church. Mr. Mapes has a good farm of ninety-six acres, and a fine new
dwelling.
JOHN MARKLEY,
the owner and occupant of " Bloody Island," was born in Marion County,
Ohio, October 10, 1827. He early moved to Iowa, where he spent his
youth, and in 1857 came to Missouri, settling in Gentry County. In 1866
he located in this county and moved upon this island. Though it was
covered with heavy timber, he has by hard work cleared it and made a
perfect garden. He has erected good buildings, and has an orchard of
fine fruit, grapes, peaches, etc. Mr. M. married Rebecca Bird, of Indi-
ana, in 1852. They have seven children : John Harvey, Garrett G.,
Aaron S., Mary, (now Mrs. Solomon Hoffin), Albert and Alfred, (twins),
and David George. He was in the State Militia during the war, and
served faithfully. He is one of the honest and reliable men of the com-
munity, and attends to his own business. When the Government sur-
veyed the State of Missouri, their boundary line on the west was the Mis-
souri River, and when the State of Nebraska was surveyed the river had
changed its channel one-half mile west, and Nebraska ran to the new chan-
nel, and consequently an island was left, which neither belongs to one state
or the other, nor to the Government. Mr. M. is one of the most indepen-
dent men living. In an early day, when this island was covered with
heavy timber there was quite a great strife, and a rough set settled
there. Upon one occasion one party who destroyed the house of
another was arrested and had a trial, and one of the party called for
three cheers for " Bloody Island." Thus the name.
JAMES A. POINDEXTER,
section 9, was born in Washington County, East Tennessee, April 11,
1859. His father, William Poindexter, moved to Missouri and settled at
Sonora in the fall of 1859, at which time he, with his brother, E. S., opened
a store. During the war they were broken up by the Jayhawkers, their
store and goods being destroyed. They then bought 160 acres of land near
Sonora, on credit and improved it. In 1864 William Poindexter died,
leaving his portion of land, eighty acres, to his two children : James A.
and Edmonia S., (now Mrs. G. Beal). The mother of James A. died in
1873, and thus James and his sister were left alone. At the age of twelve
years, he went to live with his uncle, R. M. Taylor, who had one of the
best farms in the county. Mr. Taylor was a good man, and James being
BUCHANAN TOWNSHIP. 885
an industrious boy, was greatly encouraged by him. He was presented •
with two pigs, his first start in life, and from this small beginning the
income was increased from time to time. He soon commenced to buy
young stock, and when he was twenty years old, he had saved money
enough to purchase eighty acres of land, stock and other things to start
a farm. He married Miss Lillie Jane Stoner, daughter of John Stoner,
Esq., February 16, 1879. They have one child: Daisey Dean, born
April 3, 188 1 ; one died in infancy. Mr. P. worked hard on his new farm
and after making a good start, he sold out at a good profit and bought a
second place on which he lived for two years. In the spring of 1882, he
bought his uncle's large estate of the widow, (his uncle having died)(
disposed of his place and moved on the farm where he had been brought
up. He now has one of the best places in the county, containing 480
acres of land. Mr. P. has made what he now has in a short period, and
has established a high reputation for honesty, industry, and of being
more than an ordinary farmer. In his political affinities he is Demo-
cratic, and religiously a Baptist. He contemplates building a new resi-
dence and otherwise improving his farm.
HENRY B. ROBERTS,
farmer, is the owner of 600 acres of land on McKissock's Island, Missouri.
He was born in Henry County, Kentucky, October 18, 18 10, and in 1822,
removed to Illinois. He was in the Black Hawk War, in 1832, remain-
ing in service until its close. After his return he was appointed by
General Jackson to a lieutenancy in the United States Rangers, to guard
the western frontier. He went with his company to Fort Leavenworth,
and in the spring the company was ordered to guard a train to New
Mexico. In the fall of 1833, he resigned his commission for the purpose
of herding with the Comanche Indians. He returned to Fort Leaven-
worth to attend a court martial, and remained there through the winter.
He was appointed commissary during the Florida War, and went with
Colonel Morgan. They returned in the spring of 1838, to Liberty, Mis-
souri, after being discharged. In April, 1838, in conformity to a law of
congress, forts were to be established at different points, among which,
one to be at Table Creek, where Nebraska City now is. Mr. Roberts
and A. G. Williams were to supply the future fort with beef, corn and
hay. So they made a claim of a tract of land where Sonora now stands,
in Atchison County, broke 100 acres, and planted it in corn, &c. This
was in the spring of 1838, and it is claimed by some that it was the first
settlement made in the county. They built a house, and in the fall of
1839, Charles Beacham bought out Thomas Wilson, and in December of
the same year, Mr. Beacham went to Ray County, Missouri, after some
hogs. There he fell in with Callaway Millsaps and his wife, and two of
886 HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
.her brothers, and also Alexander Hawley. He brought them to Sonora,
to keep house and work on the farm. Mr. R. gave the city of Sonora its
name, it meaning Rising Sun in Spanish. Mrs. Millsaps gave birth to
the first child in the county, at Mr. R.'s house. The child is now Wil-
liam Millsaps. Mr. R. subsequently went to California, but returned
and made a claim in Nemaha County, Nebraska. He afterwards sold
out, and in 1870, he bought land on the island, where he has since resided.
He married Mary King in 1846. They have six children living: Eliza-
beth Ann, Nancy R., Benoni B., George Albert, Nancy Alice, and Wil-
liam Tillman. They have lost four. Mr. Roberts having spent his entire
life on the border, has seen and experienced true pioneer life. He has a
good farm on the island, and a good range for stock. A bill is now
pending before congress to have this island attached to Missouri, as it
now is, it not being in either Nebraska or Missouri.
JOHN WOERBER
was the owner of 600 acres of land and lived on section 2. He was born
in Germany, August 11, 181 1, and when thirty years of age he emigrated
to this country. He received a thorough education in that country and
Became a leader of the Reform party. He was imprisoned by the Loy-
alists and would have been put to death had they found his papers, which
were secreted in a bottle and buried. After receiving much trouble and
persecution from the government he was banished to this country, and
from that time on his whole life was devoted to the promotion of our
American institutions and becoming a useful and successful citizen. He
came to this county in 1840, and bought a claim and also purchased the
ferry, which he kept as long as he lived, and which was known as
Woeber's Ferry, on the Nishnebotna River. In 1841 or 1842, he started
a store, near the ferry, on section 3, there doing a thriving business.
During the Mormon emigration and the great freighting lines for Cali-
fornia, Salt Lake, etc., this ferry was the one mostly used. In 1845 Mr.
W. married Miss Maiy Matilda Mathews, daughter of John Mathews, of
English Grove, who was born in England, in 1799. Miss Mary was
born September 7, 1826, in Gloucestershire, England, eight miles from
London. In 1830 she came to this country, with her father, who stopped
ia Baltimore four years, moving thence to Pittsburg, and in 1835 he
came to Missouri and settled in Clay County, where he remained until
1837. He then ventured to move his family on to the Platte Purchase,
in Platte County, where he made a claim, built a small house and went
to work. In a year or so this house was burned. In 1839 ne moved his
stock to English Grove, Holt County, now Atchison County, and in the
spring of 1840, with two families, Mr. Lamfield and William Mooney,
located in the grove. The name of the grove was called from the Eng-
BUCHANAN TOWNSHIP, 887
lish families settling there. In 1845 the marriage of his daughter occur-
red, as before stated, and she and her husband, John Woerber, at once
commenced keeping house at this place. They were greatly prospered,
accumulating a large property. Mr. W. closed his store for several
years and laid out a town, which was called El Paso, and of which he
was appointed postmaster. He had been the postmaster of the place for
many years, it being one of the first in the county, older even than that
of Hamburg, Iowa. In 1856 he erected a store and again entered into
trade with a Mr. Rudasill. Linden Landing was less than a mile from
El Paso and they were its proprietors. Mr. Woerber was a capable
business man and was very enterprising. In 1866 he died, leaving the
most of his estate to his widow, they having no children. The balance
was divided among his relatives in Germany. In [870 Mrs. W. married
Mr. Joseph F. Pritchard, of Illinois. He was born in 1845 and came to
Missouri in 1866, and worked the farm for several years. He is a good
farmer and a leading man in the county. Mrs. P.'s father and mother
died at English Grove on the same day, August 22, 1848, leaving four
children : Mrs. Pritchard, Job, Eliza Ann (now Mrs. Dr. Moore), and
John H. John H. died in 1869, and Job in 1868. After the death of her
parents, Mrs. P. took her young sister, Eliza Ann, to keep and educate,
which she did until she married Dr. Moore. Her house has always been
the home of her brothers and many others whom she has brought up.
She reared Fannie Loaf, who married James White ; also Victoria Darbo,
who married John Anderson, and Nancy A. Bailey, who married Samuel
Wheeler. Matilda L. Wheeler is now living with her. She is a bright
little girl of seven years, and Alta Leora Persell, an orphan, ten years
old, is also with her. Mr. W. was a Republican in politics, and relig-
iously a Lutheran. Mr. P. is a Republican, and belongs to the Baptist
denomination.
ARCHIBALD HOUGHTON YORK,
farmer, section 11, was born in Crawford County, Illinois, in February,
1846. After living in Bureau County for four years his father moved
his family to Missouri, settling on the Missouri bottoms near Watson in
185 1. Archibald attended the common schools of his day, receiving a
fair education and growing to manhood at home. He married Miss
Julia Ann Adams in August, 1866. She was the daughter of G. W.
Adams, late of this township. They have three children living : Ida
Frances, John Wesley, and William Henry. Two girls are deceased :
Sarah E., died February 2, 1880, when five years old ; Lulie Ellen, died
in March, 1882, aged nine years. Mr. Y.'s father, Jesse York, first
settled on the farm now owned by Lott Watts, near Watson. His first
wife died in Crawford County, Illinois, after which he married Mrs.
Elizabeth York Goodwin, also in Crawford County, Illinois. They had
888 HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
by this union three children, only one of whom survives, A. H. York.
William R. died in Watson when nineteen years old. Mr. A. H. York
remained at home until the death of his parents, his father dying in
1874 and his mother in 1879. In March, t88i, he sold his interest in the
old homestead and bought the farm he now occupies. He has made
good improvements, built a new residence, etc. He is a candid man
and well posted on the general topics of the day and devotes his spare
hours to the best possible advantage. He is a Republican in politics
and belongs to the M. E. Church. He is a member of the Odd Fel-
lows fraternity. In 1864 he enlisted in the Forty-third Missouri Vol-
unteer Infantry and remained in service for a year, then receiving an
honorable discharge. Six companies of his regiment were taken pris-
oners by Price. Mr. Y. owns 103 acres of land.
WASHINGTON LAFAYETTE ZUCK,
farmer, stock feeder and raiser, has a landed estate of 1000 acres, his res-
idence being on section 1. He was born in Erie County, Pennsylvania,
May 1, 1826. In 1831, his father moved to Washtenaw County, Michi-
gan, where- he resided for twenty years. He had a beautiful farm near
Whittemore Lake. In 1846, they came to Missouri, first settling in Car-
roll County. In 1851, Mr. Z. sold out and located in this county and
township, bought a piece of land and commenced improving it. In 1848,
he married Miss Abigail Woolsey, the daughter of Zepheniah Woolsey,
of Tennessee. She died in 1874. They had twelve children, of whom
there are now living : Albert Allen, Rev. Jonathan Stratten, James
Buchanan, Fanny Bell, Susan Caroline, Abagail Jane. Three died in
infancy ; George Washington died in 1873, aged eighteen years. October
17, 1876, for his second wife Mr. Zuck married Mrs. Elenor'Jane (Wolf)
Brown, daughter of Absalom Wolf, of Nemeha County, Nebraska. By
this happy union they have four children : Mary E., Eli L., Jacob A.,
and Robert Lincoln. Mrs. Zuck had two children by her former mar-
riage, Joseph William and Thomas Brown. Mr. Z. commenced farming
after his first marriage, in poor circumstances, his father being poor, and
he having no one to help him. He bought a small piece of land, and
since then his efforts have been crowned with success. He is one of the-
self made farmers of the county, and to his original purchase he has
added from time to time. His dwelling is a substantial brick one, and
his barns and other improvements are complete. He took care of his
father for twenty-five years, until he died in 1875. His mother, who was
formerly Lydia Stratten, a native of Pennsylvania, died in 1881. Mr. Z.
is a Republican in politics, and a member of the M. E. Church.
CHAPTER XVI.
TARKIO TOWNSHIP.
BOUNDARIES — TOPOGRAPHY — DIVIDED INTO PRECINCTS — STREAMS AND WATER
COURSES— BRIDGES— EARLY SETTLERS-CENTER POINT— TARKIO— INCORPORATED
—BUSINESS DIRECTORY-TOWN OFFICERS— SHIPMENTS OF GRAIN AND STOCK—
CHURCHES-SECRET ORDERS— BANDS -HALLS— HOTELS— BANKS— POPULATION AND
PEOPLE-CHRISTIAN CITY-POST OFFICES-BIOGRAPHICAL.
Tarkio Township, one of the original municipal divisions of Atch-
ison County, was reduced to its present (1882) limits by the organization
of Lincoln Township, on the 22d of November, 1871. Its outline is the
figure of a rectangular parallelogram, extending fifteen miles east and
west, and six miles north and south, thus including an area of ninety
square miles, and constituting the most extensive division of the county.
It is bounded on the north, in a distance of twelve miles, by Lincoln
Township, one and three-fourths miles by Polk Township, and in about
the same distance by Nodaway County ; on the east by Nodaway
County ; on the south in a distance of nine miles by Dale Township, and
six miles by Clark Township ; on the west by four miles of Clay and two
miles of Polk Township.
TOPOGRAPHY.
Its entire surface is prairie, with the exception of a few groves of
timber, found generally in the immediate neighborhood of the water
courses. One of these, in the north central portion of the township,
forms a part of the grove in the southern part of Lincoln Township, which
thus extends in a southeasterly direction from the waters of the Middle
Tarkio, in that township, to the banks of the East Tarkio, in Tarkio
Township, the same lying in sections 5 and 6, and 4 and 10 of township
65, range 39. In sections 9, 16 and 15, on the waters of a tributary of
East Tarkio, is a body of timber embracing an area of some 700 or 800
acres.
TARKIO TOWNSHIP DIVIDED INTO PRECINCTS.
On the 25th of November, 1871, three days after its erection within
its present limits, Tarkio Township was divided by the county court
into two election precincts, described as follows : Commencing at the
northwest corner of the northeast quarter of section 5, township 65,
89O HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
range 39, thence south to the southwest corner of section 32, township
65, range 39. All that portion of said township on the east side of said
line to be called Colfax Precinct, and that on the west side Fanning
Precinct.
STREAMS AND WATER COURSES.
Big Tarkio, flowing in a southerly direction from Lincoln Township,
enters Tarkio Township in the northwest quarter of section 2, township
65, range 40, and flowing with its peculiar sinuosities, in a generally-
southerly direction, through sections 11, 14, 23, 26, the northwest corner
of 35, and the southeast quarter of section 34, enters Clark Township.
East Tarkio, flowing also from Lincoln Township, enters Tarkio
Township in the northwest corner of section 4, township 65, range 39,
and running diagonally through sections 5 and 7. of the same, and the
northwest corner of section 18, thence in a southerly and southwesterly
course, through sections 13 and 24, of township 65, range 40, enters the
Big Tarkio, near the east line of the northeast quarter of section 23.
Cow Branch, a tributary of the Big Tarkio, rising in the southeast
quarter of section 6, township 65, range 40, flows in a southerly and
southwesterly course through sections 8, 17, 18, 19, 29, 32 and 33, into
Clark Township.
The above described streams all flow through that district of Tar-
kio Township known as Fanning Precinct. Other streams of minor
importance and generally unnamed flow into them. The principal
water course of Colfax Precinct is the Little Tarkio, a stream which
rises in the southeast corner of section 6, township 65, range 38. It
flows in a southwesterly course through the northern part of section
7 of that township and range, thence through sections 12, 13, 24, 26 and
34, in township 65, range 39, whence it enters Dale Township on the
south.
The east fork of Little Tarkio rises in the southeast corner of sec-
tion 9, township 69, range 38, near the line of Nodaway County, and
flows in a generally southerly course through sections 16, 21, 28, 33 and
32 into Dale Township, within a mile and a half of its northeast corner.
A branch of this stream rises in the southeast quarter of section 17 and
runs at the distance of about a mile to the westward in a nearly parallel
direction with the east fork through sections 20, 29, 32 and 31 into Dale
Township.
BRIDGES.
Tarkio Township contains within its limits twenty and one-half
bridges, all more or less substantial structures, including wood, com-
bination, and iron spans. These are specially noted under the general
head of " Bridges," to which a chapter of this work is set apart.
TARKIO TOWNSHIP. 891
EARLY SETTLERS.
Among the early pioneers of Tarkio Township was Mrs. Nancy
Teague, who is a native of Jackson County, Alabama, whence she, in
company with her brother-in-law, William Daniel, came in the summer
of 1844, arriving at Center Grove on the fourth day of July. Here she
located, but Mr. Daniel went a few miles above, settling in Waldren's
Grove, now Lincoln Township. Mrs. Teague is now living in Waldren's
Grove, near her brother-in-law.
Tarkio Township, like Lincoln, contained among its early settlers
many immigrants from the State of Indiana. Henry Bush came about
the year 1846, from Indiana, and located on the West Fork of the Tarkio,
about two miles northeast of the present town site of Tarkio. E. N.
Roberts, from Indiana, settled two miles north of Tarkio. Franklin
Merrill and David Bartlett were from Indiana. Bartlett is now dead.
Ennis Mullis was also from Indiana, and settled on the west side of West
Tarkio, about three miles from Tarkio. John Van Leuven came from
Illinois and located two miles north of Tarkio. Richard Howell emi-
grated from Ohio, and settled on East Tarkio, three miles east of Tarkio.
Henry Boger, from Ohio, located on the west side of the West Tar-
kio, three miles from the present town of Tarkio.
Charles Fanning, from Illinois, located on the town site of Tarkio
(present town) and is now dead. Fanning's Mill is located three-fourths
of a mile southeast of Tarkio, on the east bank of the Tarkio. Mr. Tate,
father of James Tate, settled about four miles northwest of Tarkio.
Among others were George and Warner McKee, James Murphy (now
dead), David Haught from Illinois, James Bailey from Tennessee, and W.
H. Van Leuven from Illinois.
CENTER POINT.
Center Point was located on a part of lot I, northeast quarter of
section 1, township 65, range 40, and lot 2, northwest quarter of section
6, township 65, range 39, by William and Harriet Roberts. McKinley
Wood and Frank Bachelor built the first house, intended for a store and
dwelling. The next house was built by B. F. Dowdy. The town had a
post office, two blacksmith shops, a shoemaker, drug store and possibly
one or two other business houses. These, however, were all moved to
Tarkio.
TARKIO
was laid out in August, 1880, by Charles E. Perkins, on a part of the
west half of the southeast quarter, and the southwest quarter of section
14, township 65, range 40. The population increased so rapidly, and
houses sprung up so numerously, that the proprietor of the original town
892 HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
site, Mr. Charles E. Perkins, laid off the first addition to Tarkio in April,
1881, on part of section 14, township 65, range 40. The town has a
beautiful location on the west side of the Tarkio Valley Railroad, ten
miles south of Westboro, and is surrounded by a magnificent country,
well adapted to the growth of the cereals, and the production of cattle
and hogs. It is near the geographical center of Atchison County, and
being thus located, with railroad facilities, which make it conveniently
accessible to the outside world, it has become a rival of Rock Port, the
present county seat of the county, in its efforts to secure the court
house and the removal thither, of the county seat, a full history of which
will be found in the chapter on public buildings, in this work.
INCORPORATION OF TARKIO.
On the 21st of June, 1881, the town of Tarkio was incorporated, as
follows :
"Now at this day comes Edward Graham, J. F. Schoenecke, John
Dragoo, Israel R. Jones, J. A. Postlewait, M. R. Wilson, R. Wilson, R.
W. Harris, Charles R. McCorkle, Thomas McGrath, R. M. Stevenson, V.
R. Cass, Alexander Walker, J. T. Cooney, F. A. Roberts, D. H. McKey,
H. W. Parchen, C. R. McCormick, George W. Smiles, John Mowery, YV.
H. Neal, James A. Hendrick, J. S. Riffe, J. C. Culbertson, W. H. Mims,
A. Curfman, F. T. Simons, Otto Spiegel, Frank H. Konkle, Watson
Heckart, James Davis, H. C. Baker, T. P. Carr, L. B. Douglas, W. G.
Myers, E. C. Kibbe, D. W. Cohoe, Joseoh Campbell, Henry Schwaus, W.
A. Russell, W. Heald, A. J. Tessier, J. W. Dickson, H. J. Herberts. W.
L. Heglin, L. E. Preston, John M. McCullough, L. N. Kelso, J. C. Gol-
den, L. C. Campbell, O. O. Fanning, C. S. Harwood, C. F. Hoffman, P.
H. Thull, Fred. R. Mena, Andrew M. Eltes, L. D. Rich, H. W. Shackel-
ford, James J. Shoecraft, James Gray, S. E. Marsh, Frank H. Hepburn, J.
M. Cooper, S. R. Cowick, J. J. Wright, J. W. Goldsburg, M. A. Kelso, O.
Rugg, J. G. Mecham, David Orr, Jerome Townsen'd, A. Calhoon, O. V.
Coulter, Daniel Griffith, L. B. Henrie, A. F. Neal, S. P. Bailey, F. D.
Chaffie, C. B. Casler, Buford Doggett, W. A. Lewden, Chutt Cutler, A.
L. McPherson, James Anderson and R. H. Miles, inhabitants of the town
of Tarkio, in the county of Atchison and State of Missouri, and present
their petition to this court, praying that they may be incorporated, and
a police established for their local government, and for the preservation
and regulation of any commons appertaining to said town, and the court
being satisfied that two-thirds of the taxable inhabitants of said town
have signed said petition, and that the prayer of said petitioners is rea-
sonable, it is therefore ordered by this court that said town be incorpo-
rated, and that such incorporation shall embrace the following bounda-
ries, to wit : Commencing at the southwest corner of the east half of
the southwest quarter of section 14, township 65, range 40 ; thence east
one hundred and sixty rods ; thence north one hundred and sixty rods ;
thence west two hundred and forty rods ; thence south eighty rods ;
thence east eighty rods ; thence south eighty rods, to the place of begin-
ning, and the court appoints the following named persons to constitute
TARKIO TOWNSHIP. 893
the first board of trustees of said town, to act until the annual election
for members of said board, to wit : T. J. Emmert, D. M. Griffith, James
J. Shoecraft, Amon Curfman and C. B. Casler."
BUSINESS DIRECTORY.
Adams, A. W., restaurant. Lewis, Amos, drugs and medicines.
Anderson, James, attorney at law. Moore & Barger, hardware and
Anderson & Inghram, livery stable. implements.
Bland, Theodore, saloon and bil- Millier, A. J., groceries.
liards. Miles & Morrow, attorneys.
Balla, E., shoemaker. Morris, Samuel, carpenter.
Bunn, — , groceries. Miles, Robert, physician and sur-
Calhoon, A., groceries. geon.
Campbell, L. C, barber. Morris, Elam, sign painter.
Curfman & Co., hardware. McCullock, J. M., wagonmaker.
Cowick & Robertson, editors and McKay, D. McH., physician and
props. Tarkio Republican. surgeon.
Culbertson, J. C, lumber. McPherson, Richard, livery.
Casler, C. B., prop. Clifton House. Miller, John, organs.
Clanson, E. P., prop. Palmer House. Neal, Harrison, saloon and bil-
Covney, J. F., physician and sur- liards.
geon. Postlewait, J. A., physician and
Emmert & Neal, general merchan- surgeon.
dise. Rankin, Stevenson & Co., bankers.
Ellis, A. M., carpenter. Ryan Bros., groceries.
Emmert, T. J., furniture. Rugg, O., boots and shoes.
Farris, M. S. & Co., groceries and Ryan Bros., butchers.
dry goods. Russel, W. A., drugs and medicines.
Golden, J. C, harness and saddles. Roberson & Cradit, blacksmiths.
Hanna, Hunter & Co., general mer- Rhodes, Mrs., millinery.
chandise. Sparks, Mrs. R. F., millinery.
Howendobler, E. E., drugs and med- Spiegel, Otto, barber.
cines. Schoenecke & Farris, blacksmiths.
Hendricks, James A., justice of the Sanborn, I., manager lumber yard.
peace. • Snyder, G. W., restaurant.
Harris, R. W., physician and sur- Scott, Fannie, millinery.
geon. Thompson, P. A., grain dealer.
Hepburn, F. H, attorney at law. White & Rissler, butchers.
The present officers are D. H. Griffith, Mayor ; A. Curfman, C. B.
'Casler, T. J. Emmert and Dr. Harris, Trustees ; James Anderson,
Clerk, and F. M. Meek, Marshal.
894 HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
ANNUAL STATEMENT FOR 1 88 1..
Loaded cars forwarded — Grain : Corn, 437 ; wheat, 45 ; rye, 2 ; bar-
ley, 16; flaxseed, 13. Total, 513.
Stock — Cattle, 241 ; hogs, 137. Total, 378.
Merchandise, 32 ; lumber, 30. Total, 62.
Loaded cars received — Lumber, 267 ; coal, 35 ; lime, 7 ; brick, 49-
merchandise, 141 ; all others, 49. Total, 548.
CHURCHES.
The Methodist Episcopal Church has an organization, with B. F.
Armstrong for pastor, who resides near Phelps. The members forming
this church were S. H. Prather, A. J. Millier and wife, Jacob Trout and
wife, F. Schoenecke and wife, A. Curfman and wife, D. H. Griffith and.
others.
Tarkio Presbyterian, Old School, Church was organized several years
since in the township, but is now located in Tarkio. It has a neat frame
edifice, which will cost, when completed, about $2,300. Present mem-
bership about forty. This is the only church edifice in the place.
The United Presbyterian Church has an organization, but no minis-
ter. The members organizing were : R. M. Stevenson and wife, Isaac
Phelps and wife, S. S. Foster and wife, T. F. Hanna and wife, Mrs. S. A.
Black, W. O. Miller and wife, Robert Miller, J. H. Currothers, Sarah
Engstrom, Mrs. James Anderson and a few others. Present membership
about twenty. The Christians have also an organization.
SECRET ORDERS.
The Ancient Order of United Workmen is the only secret order in
the town. The lodge was organized in 1881. Present officers are : A.
J. Hendricks, Master ; James Zook, Foreman ; J. H. Davis, Overseer ; S.
P. Bailey, Recorder.
SCHOOLS.
The town has no school building, but has a good school, under the
control of William Morrow. The pupils in attendance number nearly
one hundred.
BANDS.
Missouri Valley Band. Officers : G. W. Ryan, leader ; R. A. Camp-
bell, president ; J. R. Robinson, secretary and treasurer. Members and
instrumentation : G. W. Ryan, Eb cornet ; J. A Broyles, Eb cornet ;
Frank Sparks, Bb cornet ; John Wright, Bb cornopeon ; Frederick
Schoenecke, Bb fluegelhorn ; R. A. Campbell, Eb alto trombone, valve ;
TARKIO TOWNSHIP. 895
Charles W. Ryan, Eb alto ; Perry Gray, Bb tenor trombone, slide, first ;
George W. Snider, Bb tenor trombone, valve, second ; A. Ammerman,
Bb tenor, first ; J. R. Robinson, Bb tenor, second ; Newton Kilso, Bb
baritone ; Samuel Rainey, Eb tuba ; John Dowell, bass drum ; B. M.
Athens, tenor drum.
Tarkio Cornet Band was organized November 15, 1881. J. R-
Barger, leader. J. R. Barger, first Eb cornet ; J. W. Barger, second Eb
cornet ; R. F. Warner, first Bb cornet ; W. A. Russell, second Bb cornet;
John Speece, first Eb alto ; A. V. Williams, second Eb alto ; Jesse
Davis, first Bb tenor ; Elam Marsh, Bb baritone ; William Morrow,
Eb bass (tuba) ; J. L. Riffe, bass drum ; J. W. Burns, snare drum.
HALLS.
Opera Hall, a large and conveniently located room, has been fitted
up by J. W. Bargar, on the north side of Main Street.
HOTELS.
The town is well supplied with hotels — the Clifton and Palmer
House. The Clifton House is quite a commodious building (frame), and
contains thirty-two rooms.
BANKS.
«
Rankin, Stevenson & Co., are the proprietors of the only bank in
the place, and the house in which they do business is the only brick
house in the town.
POPULATION AND PEOPLE.
Tarkio has a population of 482 souls, which is certainly a rapid
increase, since it was laid out. It has a number of nice stores, and a few
neat and attractive residences, which are handsomely located in the
northwestern part of the town, upon the highest elevation, looking
toward the south and east. The people are not only full of energy, but
have evinced much shrewdness and tact, in the manner in which they
have presented the claims of their town, as a competitor for the county
seat. Much of its success and notoriety are doubtless attributable to its
single newspaper, The Tarkio Republican, to which we have alluded at
greater length, in our article upon the newspapers of the county.
CHRISTIAN CITY.
In January, 188 1, D. W. Moore laid out a town just across the rail-
road, east of Tarkio, on a part of the northeast quarter of the southeast
quarter of section 14, township 65, range 40, and gave it the name of
Sg6 HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
Christian City. No improvements, however, of a permanent character,
have been made.
POST OFFICES.
Homer Post office, located on section 29, township 65, range 39 ;
Ezra D. Johnson was the postmaster. The office has been discontinued.
London Post office, on section 12, township 65, range 39, H. J. Hen-
dricks, postmaster.
York Post office, at Greenlee, Fred, Greenlee, postmaster. Mr.
Greenlee has a store — general merchandise. The place has a school
house and blacksmith shop.
^BIOGRAPHICAL
ULYSSES H. BECK,
or Lee Beck, as he is familiarly called, is among the early settlers of this
county. He was born June 8, 1840, in Berrien County, Michigan. His
father, Aquilla Beck, was born in Canada, and was of Scottish descent.
His mother, formerly Ruth Alexander, was a native of Greene County,
Tennessee. She was of Irish extraction. Ulysses was the youngest inj
a family of four children. He was reared on a farm, at his birthplace,
until fourteen years of age, receiving a common school education. In
the spring of 1854 he accompanied his parents to Atchison County, Mis-
souri, settling east of Rock Port. The county was then thinly populated
and young Beck became acquainted with many early settlers here. He
moved to Rock Port, in 1856, and engaged in the livery business. Dur-
ing the war he took an active part in defending the property of the citi-
zens. In August, 1864, he enlisted in Company I, Forty-third Missouri
Volunteer Infantry and remained in the field until the close of the war,
serving on the frontier. He afterwards continued the livery business at
Rock Port, until 1866, when he sold out and moved on a farm. He set-
tled his present farm, in' section 19, in the spring of 1870. It comprises
170 acres of fine land, well improved, though it was all wild when he
located here. Mr. Beck is a member of the Masonic fraternity. He was
married February 22, 1872, to Rachel Evans, whose maiden name was
Rachel Haught, daughter of David and Rachel Haught, of this county.
She was born in Bureau County, Illinois, July 1, 1853. By this union
TARKIO TOWNSHIP. 897
they have five children : Elenora E., born March 1 1, 1873 ; Ulysses Grant,
born October 7, 1874 ; Arthur E., born October 11, 1876; Daisy B., born
July 28, 1878 ; Gasaway G., born July 10, 1880. Mrs. Beck has two chil-
dren by her former husband : Effie A. Evans, born February 15, 1869 ;
Tracy A. Evans, born February 11, 1870. Mrs. Beck is a member of the
Christian Church.
ALEXANDER CALHOON,
dealer in groceries and provisions, is proprietor of the pioneer business
house of Tarkio. He was born in Holmes County, Ohio, on the 15th of
May, 1840. His parents, George and Jane (Carr) Calhoon, were natives
of Pennsylvania. Alexander spent his boyhood days on the farm and
received the benefits of an education in the neighborhood schools.
Arriving at maturity he turned his attention to agricultural pursuits.
He came west in the spring of 1868 and settled at Clarinda, Page County,
Iowa, where he engaged in the mercantile business. There he remained
some twelve years. When Tarkio was laid off he came here and erected
the first business house in town. He has a neat store, well filled with a
well assorted stock of goods, and having had a long experience in the
business understands it thoroughly. He has the patronage of a large
circle of friends, and does a thriving trade.
ROBERT A. CAMPBELL,
agent for the Kansas City, St. Joseph & Council Bluffs Railroad, at
Tarkio, was born in Williamson County, Illinois, April 25, 1845. His
parents, David and Elizabeth (Haddin) Campbell were natives of
Tennessee. Robert was the fourth in a family of five children. He
spent his boyhood days on a farm, and received a preparatory education
in the common schools. When sixteen years of age, he commenced to
attend the Salem high school, of Salem, Illinois, but after remaining
about two years he left the school-room for the field of battle. He
enlisted in Company D, Eighty-Seventh Illinois Mounted Infantry, in the
fall of 1862, and served three years. He was detailed for special service
at division headquarters, holding the position of chief clerk, serving
with the Gulf department and with the Army of the Cumberland.
During the summer of 1864 he was commissioned major, but he declined
the position. At the close of the war he returned to Macon County,
Illinois, and engaged in teaching for some five years. In 1870 he
accepted the position of agent at Blue Mound, Macon County, Illinois,
for the Wabash Railroad, filling this position for about six years. He
then turned his attention to agricultural pursuits for two years. In the
fall of 1878, Mr C. came to Missouri, and in 1879 ne accepted the posi-
tion as agent at Nishnebotna, Atchison County, Missouri, for the Kansas
898 HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
City, St. Joseph & Council Bluffs Railroad. On the 7th of December,
1880, he came to Tarkio and took charge of the office at this point for the
same company. He fills the position with credit to himself and all parties
interested. He owns a neat residence and property in block 8. He is a
member of Blue Mound Lodge No. 682, A. F. & A. M.; also of the I. O.
O. F. of the same place. He is also a member of the Missouri Valley
Cornet Band, mention of which is made in another part of this work.
He also serves the city as one of its council. Mr. Campbell was married
November 8, 1870, to Miss Ella A. Ryan, a native of Macon County,
Illinois, and daughter of Captain Martin Ryan ; she was born February
13, 1852. They have had two children : Jennie deceased; Annie, born
May 8, 1874. Mrs. Campbell is a member of the M. E. Church.
CLINTON B. CASLER,
proprietor ot the Clifton House, is among the pioneer business men of
Tarkio. He was born October 13, 1842, in Tipton, Indiana. His father,
James B. Casler, was born in Ohio, and his mother, whose maiden
name was Eliza A. Fallis, was a native of Indiana. Clinton was the
youngest of two children. When eleven years of age he accompanied
his parents to Montgomery County, Ohio, and after remaining there
some three years went to Macon County, Illinois. When President
Lincoln issued his first call for troops in April, 1861, the subject of this I
sketch enlisted as private in Company H, Seventh Illinois Infantry,
although hardly eighteen. After serving for ninety days he re-enlisted
in the Fourth Iowa Cavalry, Company L, and served three years. He
again re-enlisted at Vicksburg in 1864 and served until the close of the
war, having risen to the position of first sergeant. He participated in
the battles of Helena, Vicksburg, Fourteen Mile Creek, Jackson (Mis-
sissippi), Meridian, Guntown, Tupelo, Independence (Missouri), and
helped drive Price from Missouri, Selma (Alabama), Columbus and
Macon (Georgia), and Wilson's Cavalry raid. At the close of the war
Mr. Casler settled at Indianapolis. In 1866 he crossed the plains to
Wyoming and spent one summer in that country. He then came td
Atchison County and settled on a farm near Hemme's Landing. In
the spring of 1868 he, in partnership with Henry Hast, built the first
house in Phelps City and opening therein a restaurant and billiard
hall. In the spring of 1870 he took a trip through Texas, thence to
Kansas City and finally located at St. Louis in the fall of 1871, where
he engaged in the hotel business. In 1876 he went to Dakota Terri-
tory, thence to Ottawa, Illinois, resumed hotel keeping, and in the
spring of 1878 he came west and settled at Corning, Holt County, Mis-
souri. There he embarked in the grocery business, and also held the
position of postmaster. In the fall of 1880 he came to Tarkio and
TARKIO TOWNSHIP. 899
bought the first lot sold in the town, on which he erected a shanty, the
first building in town. That same year he built his present hotel. Mr.
C has had a long experience in the business and is well qualified for
the position he occupies. He was married October 29, 1868, to Miss
Elizabeth Haught, daughter of David Haught. She is a native of Fay-
ette County, Pennsylvania, born August 7, 1848.
H. CLARK,
farmer and stock raiser, section 27, was born May 10, 1831, in Trumbull
County, Ohio. His father, Almon Clark, was a native of Cuyahoga
County, Ohio, born May 15, 1800. His mother, Delany Clark, nee Bowles,
was a native of York County, Pennsylvania. Mr. Clark was the eldest
of a family of nine children. He was reared on a farm in his native
county, receiving a common school education. In 1863 he moved to
Johnston County, Iowa, where he remained for two years, afterwards
going to Linn County, in the same state. He came to Atchison County,
Missouri, in the fall of 1871, and settled where he now resides, it then
being all wild prairie land. He set about to improve a farm and now
owns 560 acres, well improved, with a new residence, good outbuildings,
etc. He deals quite largely in stock, raising, buying and shipping large
quantities. He at present holds the position of school director and road
overseer. Mr. Clark was married June 12, 1870, to Miss Emma S. Shaum,
daughter of John and Rebecca Shaum. She is a native of Northampton
County, Pennsylvania, born in June, 1844. They have three children :
Austa A., born May 15, 1871 ; Annie B., born March 17, 1873 ; Fred.,
born August 15, 1877. Mrs. C. is a member of the Presbyterian Church.
S. R. COWICK,
of the firm of Cowick & Robertson, editors and proprietors of the Tarkio
Republican, is a native of Carlisle, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania,
where he was born on the 4th day of August, 1850. John Cowick, his
father, was born in the State of Pennsylvania, as was also his mother,
whose maiden name was Hannah Bixler. When four years old, the sub-
ject of this sketch accompanied them to Monmouth, Illinois. There he
was reared, receiving his education at Monmouth College. In March,
188 1, he removed westward, and in November of that year, purchased
the Tarkio Republican of Murphy & Simmons, taking as a partner Mr.
J. R. Robertson. Since that time they have continued to publish* an
unusually lively and interesting sheet, and are deserving of a liberal
patronage from the citizens of Tarkio, whose cause they so ably advo-
cate. They also carry a stock of books and stationery. Mr. Cowick is
a member of Atchison Lodge No. 220, A. O. U. W., in which he now
holds the position of Past Master Workman. He also belongs to
900 HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
Warner Lodge No. 160, I. O. O. F., of Monmouth, Illinois. He was mar-
ried March 13, 1875, to Miss Kate L. Travers, daughter of Jasper Travers.
She was born in Newport, England, March 26, 1850. They have two
children : Bessie T. and John.
ANDREW CRAIG,
farmer and stock raiser, section 12, is an enterprising citizen of this
township. He was born January 7, 1840, in Delaware County, New
York. His parents were of Scottish extraction, his father, Robert Craig,
being a native of Glasgow, Scotland. His mother, Ellison (Oliver) Craig,
was born in Albany, New York. Andrew spent his boyhood days among
the mountains of his native county, and received fair educational advan-
tages, attending at the Delhi and Andes Academies. He has given
his attention to agricultural pursuits through life. In 1864, he moved to
De Kalb County, Illinois, and remained there until 1878, being exten-
sively engaged in farming and stock raising. He came to Rock Port in
the spring of 1878, and after remaining one year, he moved to the place
on which he now resides, in 1879. He owns 1,400 acres of land in this
county, the home farm containing 400 acres of well improved land. He
has a neat residence situated on an elevation, giving a fine view of Tarkio
and surrounding country. He commenced life as a school teacher, and
has risen to his present position by honesty, integrity arid attention to
business. Mr. Craig is a member of Rock Port Lodge No. 134, A. O. U.
W., also of the Knights. He was married on the 16th of January, 1866,
to Miss Elizabeth Swan, a native of Westmoreland County, Pennsyl-
vania, daughter of Rev. Samuel Swan, a Presbyterian minister. She was
born October 21, 1841. They have had eight children, five of whom are
living : Lilly R-, born November 22, 1869 ; Andrew, born May 10, 1871 ;
Samuel, born June 1, 1873 ; Mabel, born September 6, 1875, and Robert,
born July 19, 1878. Himself and wife are members of the Presbyterian
Church.
J. C. CULBERTSON
is an extensive dealer in pine lumber, doors, blinds, sash, etc., at Tarkio.
Among the pioneer business men of this thriving town stands the sub-
ject of this sketch. He was born on the 17th of May, 1850, in Pittsburg,
Pennsylvania. His parents, Joseph C. and Martha A. (Waugh) Culbert-
son,» were both natives of Pennsylvania. The father died when J. C.
was about two years old. His mother moved to Blairsville, Pennsylva-
nia, where he was principally raised and received a good business edu-
cation. In 1863 he came to Missouri and settled near Rosendale,
Andrew County. In February, 1870, he went to California, engaging in
teaching, and after remaining there one year he returned to Missouri
TARKIO TOWNSHIP. 901
and settled in Atchison County. Here he was occupied in farming some
nine years. In November, 1880, he came to Tarkio and commenced the
lumber business at this point. He carries a large and complete stock,
and many of the buildings erected in this vicinity came from his yard.
He is an enterprising business man, and holds the respect and esteem of
a large circle of friends.
AMON CURFMAN,
of the firm of Curfman & Co., dealers in hardware, stoves, tinware, queens-
ware, agricultural implements, barbed wire, etc., was born October 1,
1847, m Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania. His parents, Christian and
Margaret (Garrett) Curfman, were natives of the same place. Anion
accompanied them to Jefferson County, Iowa, in 185 1, and remained
there until the fall of 1869, engaged in farming. After receiving a pre-
paratory education in the common school he attended Fairfield College
four terms, and afterwards entered the Iowa Wesleyan University, of
Mount Pleasant, Iowa. August 5, 1867, he commenced to learn the tin-
ner's trade, at Fairfield, Iowa, where he worked for two years, then going
to Maryville, Nodaway County, Missouri, in October, 1869. He resumed
work at his trade there, with his brother and Mr. Shaum, until the spring
of 1 88 1. On May 1, of that year, he came to Tarkio, and started his
present business, his brother and Mr. Shaum owning a share in the store.
His business room is 24x50 feet, besides a tin shop and wareroom. This
is the only exclusive hardware establishment in the city. Mr. Curfman
filled the position of town trustee in 188 1. He is a member of the
Masonic fraternity. He was married August 15, 1871, to Miss Mary
Ramsey, daughter of Meringo and Elizabeth Ramsey, of Fairfield, Iowa.
She is a native of that place and was born July 21, 1852. They have
been blessed with three children : Edith, born May 21, 1872 ; Nellie,
born February 8, 1877 ; Effie, born October 14, 1880. Himself and wife
are active members of the M. E. Church. He is a staunch Republican.
ELISHA T. DAVENPORT,
•
farmer and stock raiser, section 4. The subject of this sketch was born
on the nth of April, 1858, in Mason County, Illinois. His father, Henry
Davenport, was a native of Kentucky, and his mother Susan (Garner)
Davenport, was born in Indiana. Elisha remained at his birthplace until
ten years of age, spending his boyhood days on the farm. In 1868 he
accompanied the family to Atchison County, Missonri. They settled on
a farm and have since remained here. He received a preparatory edu-
cation in the common schools, and then attended school some two years
at Peru, Nebraska. Arriving at maturity, he turned his attention to
agricultural pursuits. He now farms 280 acres of his father's land, and
902 HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
is an enterprising young citizen of this township. Mr. Davenport was
married on the 19th of March, 1882, to Miss Jennette Miller, daughter
of Isaac and Amy Miller, of this county. She was born July 22, 1864,
in this county and was raised here. She is a member of the Christian
Church.
JOHN H. DAVIS,
farmer and stock raiser, section 27, also an early settler of this town-
ship, was born November 5, 1839, m Greene County, Tennessee. His
parents, John and Sarah (McNees) Davis, were also natives of that state.
John was the fifth in a family of ten children. He was reared to man-
hood at his birthplace, on a farm, receiving a common school education,
and during life he has devoted his attention to agricultural pursuits.
During the war he espoused the Southern cause and enlisted in Company
A, Sixty-first Tennessee Infantry, in June, 1862. They entered the field
in September of that year, and served until the close of the war. Enlist-
ing as a private, he was afterwards elected lieutenant. He served with
the West Mississippi and East Louisiana Departments, and took part in
the battles of Chickasaw Bayou, the engagements around Vicksburg,
Port Gibson, Champion's Hill, Black River Bridge, then through the
entire siege of Vicksburg. He was paroled, and in the spring of 1864 he
was exchanged. His regiment was then mounted and served in East
Tennessee and Virginia until the close of the war. Mr. Davis soon
returned to his old home, and in June, 1865, he came to Atchison County,
Missouri. That fall his family moved out and settled at Iowa Point,
Kansas. In the spring of 1866 they located on a farm in Atchison
County, Missouri, and in 1871 he settled where he now resides. He
owns 400 acres of well improved land, and has a comfortable residence,
young orchard, etc. His place is well watered and well adapted for
stock raising. He is a member of Atchison Lodge No. 220, A O. U.
W., of Tarkio, of which he holds the office of Overseer. He also belongs
to North Star Lodge, No. 1 57, A. F. and A. M., of Rock Port. Mr. Davis
was married May 30, i860, to Miss Sarah McCurry, a daughter of John
and Hannah McCurry. She is a native of Greene County, Tennessee.
They have six children living: Jesse H., born February 15, 1861 ; John
M., born September 29, 1862 ; Thomas J., born February 2, 1865 ; Min-
nie V., born March 16, 1869; Lizzie, born May 7, 1874, and an infant
unnamed, born March 12, 1880. Five are deceased. Mrs. Davis is a
member of New Light Christian Church.
'&*
ELISHA DIXON,
farmer and stock raiser, section 1, was born March 15, 1823, in Jackson
County, Ohio, and is the son of Joseph and Rachel (Wilkerson) Dixon,
TARKIO TOWNSHIP. 903
who were natives of North Carolina, and who went to Ohio when they
were quite young. Elisha was reared on a farm at his birthplace, and
received a common school education. He immigrated west in the spring
of 185 1, and settled in Stark County, Illinois, where he was engaged in
agriculural pursuits. In the fall of 1868, he came to Nodaway County,
Missouri, locating near Quitman. He improved a farm of 440 acres, and
moved from there to where he now resides in the spring of 1876. He
owns 160 acres of well improved land, has a comfortable residence and
an excellent orchard of some 300 bearing trees. During the late war he
enlisted in the fall of 1861, in Company K, Forty-seventh Illinois Vol-
unteer Infantry, and served three years. He filled the position of orderly
sergeant, and took part in the battles of New Madrid, Island No. 10, first
and second battles of Corinth, Iuka and Vicksburg. After the surrender
of Vicksburg, he was taken sick and was discharged in 1864. He com-
menced life a poor boy, and has been a self made man. Mr. Dixon
was married on the 24th of October, 1844, to Miss Lydia Nicholas,
daughter of John and Elenore Nicholas. She was born the nth of
March, 1825, in Jackson County, Ohio, and is an old schoolmate of Mr.
Dixon's. They have been blessed with nine children, six of whom are
living : Sophia, born July 28, 1845, (now Mrs. Henry Colwell) ; Francis
M., born February 1, 1848 ; Pearly N., born May 22, 1850 ; Evaline, born
March 17, 1853, (now the wife of James Graves) ; Emma, born October
22, i860 ; Oliver W., born September 12, 1868. They are also raising
two adopted children, Homer A. Dixon, born February 2, 1871, and
Lena May Balton, born. May 27, 1873. Mrs. Dixon is a member of the
Christian Church.
GEORGE W. DRAKE,
farmer and stock raiser, section 27, was born July 19, 1839, m Brown
County, Ohio. His parents, E. B. and Sarah (Martin) Drake, were both
natives of Ohio. George was the second in a family of seven children.
He was reared to manhood at his birthplace, spending his boyhood days
on a farm. He received the benefits of a common school education, and
has given his attention to agricultural pursuits through life. He took a
trip westward in the summer of 1866 for the benefit of his health, and as
this western country seemed to agree with him, he concluded to locate
here permanently. He moved his family to Andrew County, Missouri,
in the fall of 1865, and in March, 1866, he located on the old Holland
farm near Rock Port. In 1870 he purchased the farm where he now lives,
and at this time owns 420 acres of fine land, and is one of Atchison
County's most enterprising citizens and is well and favorably known.
Mr. Drake was married August 18, 1859, to Miss Mary Rawlings, daugh-
ter of Cardiff and Rebecca (Perry) Rawlings. She was a native of Adams
County, Ohio. They have had seven children, of whom six are living:
904 HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
Lee O., born June 1, i860; Thomas E., born May 24, 1866; Asa S., born
March 23, 1869 ; Ala M., born September 28, 1870; Sarah V., born Octo-
ber 18, 1874 ; Hetty R., born September 21, 1876. Himself and wife are
members of the New Light Christian Church.
GEORGE W. EDWARDS,
farmer and stock raiser, section 14, was among the first settlers on the
- prairie in this locality. He was born July 4, 1836, in the town of
Scipio, Cayuga County, New York, and was the son of Eber and
Mahala (Kilburn) Edwards, who were natives of New York State.
George was the eldest in a family of five children. He was reared to
manhood on a farm at his birthplace, receiving a common school educa-
tion. He has always been quite handy with tools, but has given the
principal part of his attention to agricultural pursuits through life. In
1861 he moved to Pennsylvania and remained there four years, thence
to Rock County, Wisconsin, settling near Janesville. In the fall of
1870 he came to Missouri and located in Tarkio Township, Atchison
County. He settled on his present farm in the fall of 1873 and now
owns 160 acres, moderately improved. He has a fine orchard and an
abundance of small fruit. He commenced life on his own account
when fourteen years of age and worked eight years by the month, and
has risen to his present position only by his own exertions. Mr.
Edwards was married January 1, 1856, to Miss Hannah Johnson, a
native of Yates County, New York, born April 2, 1836. She is a daugh-
ter of David H. and Nancy M. (Fish) Johnson. They have had six
children, five of whom are living : Ella A., born October 14, 1856, (now
Mrs. James Jackson, of this county) ; Clara M., born September 4, 1864;
Maggie G., born April 10, 1868 ; Bertha L., born January 3, 1870, and
Helen M., born February 3, 1875. Mrs. Edwards is a member of the M.
E. Church.
ANDREW ELLIS,
carpenter and contractor, was born in Ashtabula County, Ohio, on the
31st of May, 1838. His father, J. S. Ellis, was born in Becket, Massachu-
setts, and his mother, Rebecca (McArthur) Ellis, was a native of Craw-
ford County, Pennsylvania. Andrew passed his youth on the farm, and
after receiving a preparatory education in the common schools, he
attended the college at Meadsville, Pennsylvania. At the age of fifteen
years he commenced to learn the carpenter's trade in Ashtabula County,
Ohio, and has followed it through life. He has worked at various places:
Cincinnati, St. Louis, Minneapolis, Chicago, Kalamazoo, Michigan,
■ Dubuque, Burlington and Des Moines, Iowa. He remained at Des
Moines some two years, and while there remodeled Governor Merrill's
TARKIO TOWNSHIP. 905
residence, one of the finest in the city. He was also engaged in busi-
ness at that place. Mr. E. is the discoverer and sole proprietor of Ellis'
Pain Boss and Twin Flower, which relieves all pain. He did a large
and flourishing business there, and then took a trip through the south-
west, and finally located at Tarkio, in November, 1880, when the town
was in its infancy. He owns considerable town property, about eight
residence houses. He understands his trade thoroughly, has had a large
experience in all its branches, and is one of the best workmen in North-
west Missouri. During the war he espoused the Union cause. He
enlisted in Company C, Sixth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, in 1861, and took
part in many of the hardest fought battles, among which was that of
Shiloh. He was disabled and sent home, and was helpless for a long
time, and still suffers from the effects of his wound. Mr. Ellis was mar-
ried May 29, 1863, in Marshalltown, Iowa, to Miss Rachel A. Dimmick,
a daughter of Hezekiah and Polly H. Dimmick. She is a native of
Hendricks County, Indiana. They have two children : Perry, born
October 24, 1866, and Kitty, born September 13, 1869.
THOMAS J. EMMERT
is a member of the firm of Emmert & Neal, dealers in general merchan-
dise. This house was organized in November, 1880, and is composed of
T. J. Emmert and Albert F. Neal. They have a large and complete
stock, and do a good business. Mr. Emmert also owns an excellent
furniture store, and conducts it in connection with his other business.
Thomas J. Emmert was born in Washington County, Maryland, on the
21st of September, 1845. His parents, Samuel and Mary (Newcomer)
Emmert, were natives of Maryland. Thomas grew to manhood at his birth-
place,on a farm,receivinghiseducationin the neighboringschools. In 1865
he engaged in the mercantile business at Funkstown, Maryland, remain-
ing there one year, and then went to work for his tather in his flour and
paper mills. After remaining with him some two years he moved to
Middleboro. Two years later he came west, in the spring of 1869, and
settled in Corning, Missouri, where he was occupied in the mercantile
business. Thence to Center Point, in the spring of 1878, embarking in
the mercantile business at that point. In November, 1880, he came to
Tarkio and took in Mr. Neal as a partner. Mr. Emmert is pleasant in
his manners, and is a good salesman. He is a member in good standing
of the Masonic fraternity. Politically he is a staunch Republican. He
was married on the 17th of September, 1872, to Miss Eliza R. Betebever,
a native of Ogle County, Illinois, daughter of Samuel and Rebecca Bet-
ebever. By this union they have had three children, two of whom are
now living : Lee Z., born September 16, 1873, ar>d Mabel Maud, born
November 30, 188 1. Himself and and wife are members of the Mis-
sionary Baptist Church.
906 HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
JOHN FERGUSON,
farmer and stock raiser, section 28, was born on the 13th of December,
1853, in Cedar County, Iowa. His parents, Thomas C. and Nancy
(Young) Ferguson, were natives of Pennsylvania. John was the third
in a family of four children. He grew to manhood on a farm at his
birthplace, receiving the benefits of a common school education, and
during life he has followed agricultural pursuits. In the fall of 1875, he
came to Atchison County and purchased his present farm, settling upon
it in the spring of 1876. He lived single for four years, and broke prairie.
He now owns a farm of 120 acres, said to be one of the finest pieces of
land in the county, and Mr. F. devotes much time to its improvement.
He is a member of Atchison Lodge No. 220, A. O. U. W., of Tarkio, and
was formerly a member of the Grange. Mr. Ferguson was married the
27th of June, 1880, to Miss Sarah U. Noble, daughter of J. D. and Rebecca
Noble. She was born December 20, 1862, in Nodaway County, Missouri.
They have one child, Frank Crittenden, born June 7, 1881. They are
members of the Disciple's Christian Church of Tarkio, in which Mr. F.
holds the position of elder.
THOMAS L. FIKE,
farmer and stock raiser, section 8, was born September 29, 1834, in Mor-
rison County, Illinois. His father, Josiah Fike, was born in Tennessee,
and his mother, formerly Elizabeth Richardson, was a native of North
Carolina. The former was a sailor, took part in the war of 1812, and was
at the noted battle of New Orleans. Thomas was brought up on a farm
and received an education in the neighborhood schools. In 1867 he
moved to Newton County, Missouri, and settled on a farm, where he
remained nine years. In the spring of 1876 he came to Atchison
County, Missouri, locating where he now resides. He owns 140 acres of
fine land, has a neat residence, good barn, orchard, etc. His place was
one of the oldest settled places in the township, and in early times was
a stopping place for travelers between Rock Port and the Nodaway
River. Mr. Fike is a member of Atchison Lodge, No. 220, A. O. U. W.
of Tarkio. He was married April 3, 1856, to Miss Frances Henry,
daughter of Thomas and Sarah Henry, of Marion County, Illinois. She
was born February 1 1, 1837, in Robertson County, Tennessee. They have
seven children : Nancy A., born January 5, 1857 (now Mrs. John Scott,
of this county,) ; Sarah E., born January 23, i860 ; Josiah W., born March
31, 1862 ; Lou Ellen, born April 22, 1864 ; Arrah A., born October 1,
1866 ; Thomas H., born May 6, 1869 ; Edgar L., born March 8, 1872.
Mr. Fike and wife are members of the Christian Church of Tarkio, in
which he holds the position of deacon.
TARKIO TOWNSHIP. 907
JOEL W. GILSON,
farmer and stock raiser, section 29, was born on the 26th of March,
1830, in Allegany County, New York, and was a son of George and
Jerusha Gilson, who were old settlers of New York State. They moved
to Brown County, Ohio, in 1837, and there Joel was reared to manhood
on a farm and received a common school education. In 1848 he moved
to Tazewell County, Illinois, where he engaged in farming. During the
late war he espoused the Union cause and twice volunteered his services
but was not considered able to do military duty. He came west in the
spring of 1869 and settled where he now resides, the county then being
thinly populated, with his nearest neighbor two miles distant. He now
owns 280 acres of well improved land and has a fine grove of twenty-
three acres, two good orchards, a comfortable residence and a good
barn. He has filled the position of school director some nine years.
Mr. Gilson was married June 5, 185 1, to Miss Nancy A. McCalla, a
native of Brown County, Ohio, daughter of James and Hannah
McCalla. She was born January 17, 1823. He and his wife are mem-
bers of the M. E. Church. They raised two children, who are now
deceased and they are raising two grandchildren : Willie Wolf, aged
ten and Annie Wolf, aged seven years.
JAMES C. GOLDEN,
dealer in harness and saddles, is an industrious business man of Tarkio.
He was bcrn February 5, 185 1, in Atchison County, Missouri. His
parents, J. W. and Martha A. (Stone) Golden, were natives of Virginia,
and were among the pioneers of Atchison County. James C. was the
fourth in a family of thirteen children. He was reared on the frontier,
spent his boyhood days on the farm, and received the benefits of a common
school education. In 1869, he moved to Rock Port and engaged in the
livery business with his father, but after continuing this some five years,
he moved back on a farm. In 1875, he went to Hamburg, Iowa, and
remained there some six years. Coming to Tarkio in April, 1881, he
opened a restaurant, which he conducted for about six months, and on
August 23, 188 1, he purchased the harness shop which he now owns.
He carries a good assortment and has done a flourishing business. He
is a member of Tarkio Lodge No. 220, A. O. U. W. Mr. Golden was
married February 22, 1872, to Miss Lydia M. Van Leuven, a daughter of
William M. and Anna E. Van Leuven. She is a native of Illinois. They
have one child living, Josie, born February 16, 1880. Four are deceased.
Mrs. Golden is a member of the M. E. Church.
0£>8 HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
J. L. GRAY.
proprietor of the Lost Gro^e Farm, section 10, was born on the 24th of
October, 1822, in Brown County, Ohio, and is the son of Henry and
Martha (Little) Gray, who were natives of Kentucky. John was reared
at his birthplace on a farm, and received a common school education.
He learned the brick mason's trade, and followed it for some thirty-eight
years. In April, 1867, he came to Atchison County, settling on the
bottoms south of Phelps, where he opened a farm. He located on his
present place in the spring of 1880, and now owns 320 acres of fine land,
well watered and adapted to stock raising. He is a hardworking, indus-
trious citizen, and is well known throughout the county. He is a mem-
ber of the Masonic fraternity. Mr. Gray was married April 20, 1845, to
Miss Lucinda Runyon, daughter of S. D. and Dorothy Runyon. She
was born in Brown County, Ohio, November 8, 1824. They have been
blessed with nine children, seven of whom are living : Lemuel W., born
February 14, 1846 ; Alice A., born January 29, 1848, (now Mrs. Jesse C.
Dawson, of Montgomery County, Ohio) ; Jennie, born June 17, 1850,
(now Mrs. N. B. Vanlandigham, of Atchison County) ; Perry H., born
December 23, 1852 ; Ira F.. born March 17, 1856 ; Mary B., born Decem-
ber 28, 1857, (now Mrs. Austin Van Gundy); Effie, born June 13, i860.
Mr. Gray and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church
of Tarkio.
LEMUEL W. GRAY,
farmer and stock raiser, section 29, was born February 14, 1846, in High-
land County, Ohio. His parents, John L. and Lucinda (Runyon) Gray,
were natives of Ohio. Lemuel was reared to manhood at his birthplace,
spending his boyhood days on a farm and receiving the benefits of a
common school education. He immigrated west in 1867, and landed in
Rock Port on the 10th of March. He then settled on the Nishnebotna
River, south of Phelps, and in 1868 he commenced to learn the brick-
mason's trade, which he followed two years. He afterwards worked four
years at the carpenter's trade. Since then he has worked at both indus-
tries, and has also been engaged in farming. Mr. Gray settled where he
now resides in 1877. He owns eighty acres of well improved land, a
young orchard of 100 trees, and an abundance of small fruit, comfort-
able residence, etc. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity ; also, of
Atchison Lodge, No. 220, A. O. U. W., of Tarkio. Mr. G. was married
March 17, 1872, to Mrs. Lizzie Gerlash, a widow with one child, Johnnie
A. Gerlash, born January 30, 1865. Her maiden name was Lizzie Gibler,
and she was born September 9, 1846, at Lynchburg, Highland County,
Ohio. She is a daughter of William and Caroline Gibler. By this union
they have two children : Leonard F., born February 5, 1875, and Alice
B., born July 23, 1878. Mrs. Gray is a member of the Christian Church.
TARKIO TOWNSHIP. 909
MADISON GREER,
farmer and stock raiser, section 16, was another among the earliest set-
tlers of this township. He was born January 10, 183 1, in Knox County,
Ohio. His father, Col. John Greer, was a native of Belfast, Ireland. He
immigrated to the United States about 1801 and settled in Ohio about
1803. He served in the war of 1812 and held the position of colonel.
His mother, Mary (Critchfield) Greer, was a Pennsylvanian by birth.
Madison was the twelfth in a family of fourteen children. He spent
his boyhood days on the farm at his birthplace, and after receiving a
preparatory education in the common schools he attended the academy
at Loudonville. In February, 1852, he took the California fever and
started for the land of gold, by the way of New Orleans and Nica-
rauga, thence to San Francisco. He spent some three years on the
coast, engaged in freighting, and during the winter of 1855 he returned,
by way of the Isthmus of Panama, and settled at Berlin, Hardin County,
Iowa, where he engaged in farming, also in saw milling, the first two
years. In the spring of 1865 he crossed the plains, with his family,
and spent the summer in California, but returned in the fall of that
year and again located at Berlin, Iowa, where he remained until the
spring of 1870. At that time he came to Atchison County, Missouri,
and moved on his present farm. It was then wild land and there were
but few settlers on the prairie. He camped out until he could build a
house and since that date he has been a citizen of Atchison County.
He owns a fine farm of 160 acres and has a handsome residence with
beautiful grounds, which are an ornament to the township. His farm is
well watered and is adapted to stock raising. During his residence in
Hardin County, Iowa, he served as one of the board of county super-
visors for some five years. Mr. Greer was married October 26, 1856, to
Miss Amy C. Bradfield, a native of Knox County, Ohio, born August 9,
1838, daughter of James and Elizabeth Bradfield. They have two chil-
dren living: Roland C, born August 25, 1857 ; Richard L., born March
15, 1863. Lost one. Roland C. was married September 3, 1878, to Miss
Fannie E. Allen, a native of Missouri. He owns a fine farm of i8oacres
in this township.
FRED. GREENLEY
is a leading merchant and farmer and also postmaster at York. Among
the early settlers of Tarkio Township may be mentioned the subject of
this sketch. He was born in Madison County, New York, April 19,
1835. His parents, Thomas H. and Lucy S. (Higgins) Greenley, were
natives of York State. Fred, spent his youth at his birth place, on the
farm, and received a common school education, principally at the old
Hamiltonian College. When twenty-one years old he commenced
9IO HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
steamboating on the Mississippi River, and after following this one
year, he went to Texas, where he engaged in the sheep business. The
country was then almost a wilderness and was inhabited by Indians.
His brother filled the position of postmaster, and was afterwards mur-
dered for his money. Mr. Greenley remained there some eight years,
and then came to Atchison County in the fall of 1870, settling where he
now resides. He commenced to improve a farm, and in September,
1874, he opened a store in a place which he called Greenville. On Feb-
ruary 7, 1878, he received the appointment of postmaster, and the office
was called York. He carries a large and well assorted stock of goods,
and does a good business. He also owns a fine farm of 400 acres,1 an
excellent stock farm. He commenced here with eighty acres of land,
going in debt for that, and he has since been an enterprising citizen of
this locality. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity. Mr. G. has
been twice married : first October 19, 1871, to Miss .Betty Carter, a
native of Lexington, Missouri. She died on the 21st of September, 1872.
He was married again November 19, 1874, to Augusta Wait, a daughter
of Chester Wait. She was born in Ovid, New York, on November 12,
185 1. They have had three children: Fred. C, born September 11,
1875 ; Hiram W., born March 22, 1879, and Carrie A., born May 19, 1880.
JOHN F. HANNA,
is a member of the firm of Hanna, Hunter & Co., dealers in general
merchandise and agricultural implements. This was one of the first
business houses established in Tarkio. They carry the heaviest stock
of goods in town and transact a large amount of business. John F.
Hanna was born in Crawford County, Ohio, September 18, 1847. His
parents, Samuel and Catherine A. (Hoffman) Hanna, were natives of
Pennsylvania. The mother was of German origin and the father of
Irish descent. They moved to Ohio in an early day. John F. was the
second in a family of nine children. He spent his boyhood days on the
farm at his birthplace, and after receiving a preparatory education in
the common schools, he completed it at the Academy at Savannah, Ohio.
He moved to. Henderson County, Illinois, in the fall of 1876, where he
was engaged as foreman of a large stock farm, owned by David Rankin.
In February 1879, ne went to Warren County, Illinois, entering into
partnership with Mr. Rankin in farming and the stock raising business.
There he remained until October, 1880, when he immigrated west-
ward to Atchison County, Missouri. He helped to raise the first boards
to make a temporary shanty on the present site of Tarkio. In Decem-
ber of that year he moved his family here, and in April, 188 1, in partner-
ship with Mr. Hunter and Mr. Rankin, he opened their present store on
the corner of Main and Third Streets. He also erected a handsome
TARKIO TOWNSHIP. 911
residence in block five ; it is an ornament to the city situated as it is, on
a gentle elevation, giving a good view of the surrounding country. He
owns a fine farm of some 1,500 acres, four and one-half miles east of
Tarkio ; also an interest in the old home farm in Ohio. Mr. Hanna is a
strong temperance man and a staunch Republican. He was married the
22nd of June, 1876, to Miss Nettie V. Rankin, of Biggsville, Henderson
County, Illinois, daughter of David and Sarah Rankin. She was born
near that place, July 28, 1855. They have had two children: Charles
Rankin, born May 13, 1878, and John Winfield, born February 8, 1880.
Himself and wife are both members of the United Presbyterian Church
of Tarkio, in which he holds the position of elder. In his manners he
is much of a gentleman and carries the respect and esteem of all those
who are favored with his acquaintance. Mr. H. owes his success in life
only to his sterling principles of honesty, integrity and attention to
business.
DAVID HAUGHT,
farmer and stock raiser, section 4, was born July 21, 1826, in Fayette
County, Pennsylvania. His parents, George and Elizabeth (Dixon)
Haught, were both natives of Pennsylvania and of Dutch descent. His
father served in the war of 1812. David was reared on a farm and
received a common school education. He emigrated to Bureau County,
Illinois, in 185 1, and there opened a small farm. In 1864 he came to
Atchison County and settled on the Missouri River bottom, moving to
his present residence in the fall of 1868. He at once commenced to
improve it and now owns eighty acres of well improved land, has a
good orchard and a valuable stock farm. He fills the office of school
director. He is a hard-working citizen, though he commenced life a
poor boy. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity. Mr. Haught
was married on the 23d of October, 1845, to Miss Rachel Provance,
daughter of Joseph Y. and Rachel Provance. She was an old school-
mate of his. They have had eleven children, eight of whom are liv-
ing : Salina A., born September 16, 1846, (now Mrs. F. M. Meek, of this
county); Elizabeth A., born August 7, 1848, (now Mrs. C. B. Casler, of
Tarkio); Rachel Diana, (now Mrs. Ulysses Beck, of this county); Joseph
E., Henriette D., (wife of Edwin Evans, of Livingston County, Missouri);
Christopher C, Quimby G., and Daisy S.
E. E. HOWENDOBLER
is of the firm of Howendobler & Co., druggists'and apothecaries, at Tar-
kio. Prominent among the rising young business men of Northwest
Missouri is the subject of this sketch. He was born the 6th of July,
1861, in Clarinda, Page County, Iowa. His parents, Dr. Jacob and
9'2 HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
Sarah (Crotcher) Howendobler, were natives of Pennsylvania. They
moved to Iowa in an early day and settled in Page County. Elmer E.
is the third in a family of six living children. When he was about twelve
years of age his father moved to Maryville, Nodaway County. There
he was principally reared. He received a good business education, and
was brought up to learn the drug business, consequently he understands
it thoroughly. He came to Tarkio on the 5th of November, 188 1, and
opened a drug store in partnership with a brother, who is in the business
at Maryville. He carries a large and complete assortment, and his long
experience in business makes him a capable druggist. He well deserves
the esteem in which he is held by a host of friends. Mr. H. is ably
assisted in the store by a younger brother, J. W. Howendobler. He
was also born in Clarinda, Iowa, on the 27th of October, 1862, and has
also been reared in the drug business.
CHARLES G. HOWELL,
farmer and stock raiser, section 5, is a pioneer of Atchison County. He
was born July 5, 1838, in Meigs County, Ohio. His father, Richard How-
ell, was a native of Canada and came to Ohio when a boy. His mother,
Elmira (Tyler) Howell, was a native of Maine. Charles was reared on
the farm at his birthplace and received a'common school education. He
accompanied his parents to Buchanan County, Missouri, in the spring of
1855, and thence to Atchison County, in the fall of that year. They set-
tled on the Tarkio River, and soon afterward the subject of this sketch
returned to St. Joseph, to learn the mercantile business with John Curd.
After working one year he took a course at -Westminster College, at
Fulton, Callaway County, Missouri. Going again to St. Joseph, in 1857,
he entered the store, in which he continued one year. The close con-
finement was injuring his health and he was compelled to abandon this
business. He then turned his attention to agricultural pursuits, with
his father. During the war he served in the Enrolled Missouri Mili-
tia. He settled his present farm in March, 1871. It contains 160 acres
of well improved land, besides a piece of timber land. Mr. H. has filled
the various township offices. He was married January 1, 1866, to Miss
Martha Caudle, a daughter of Hugh and Mary Caudle, who were both
old settlers of Atchison County. She was born April 27, 1850, in Tarkio
Township, and was raised here. They have four children : Prudentia,
born June 27, 1867 ; Lafayette, born January 31, 1869 ; Lillie May, born
February 9, 1872 ; Charlie F., born October 29, 1881. Lost one, Linley
A. They are both members of the Christian Church.
P. H. HULL,
farmer and stock raiser, section 8, was born on the 13th of January, 1826,
in Hunterdon County, New Jersey, and was the son of Joseph S. and
TARKIO TOWNSHIP. 913
Ruth (Smith) Hull, who were natives of the same county. P. H. Hull
was the eldest in a family of nine children. His father was a farmer and
cabinet maker, and the son spent his boyhood days on the farm, and
also learned the cabinet trade. He received the benefits of a common
school education. In 1863, he settled in Sheffield, Bureau County, Illi-
nois, where he resided for six years. In the fall of 1869, he came to
Missouri, locating in Nodaway County, near the line of Atchison County,
and in January, 1874, he settled where he now resides. It was then in
an uncultivated condition, but he has improved a farm of 160 acres, and
now has a neat, comfortable residence, &c. Mr. Hull was married May
20, 1848, to Miss Mary J. Lunce, daughter of Joshua and Mary Lunce.
She was a native of the same county as her husband, and was born
November 24, 1827. They have seven children : Eliza A., born June
22, 1849, (now Mrs. Miles Warren, of Oregon) ; John S., born May 6,
1852 ; Joseph S., born February 3, 1858 ; Theodore Y., born August 24,
i860; Eleazer S., born December 3, 1863 ; Mary L., born March 9, 1868,
and Warren, born November 3, 1870. Two are deceased.
JAMES A. HURLEY,
farmer and stock raiser, section I. The subject of this sketch was born
June 10, 1834, in Cocke County, Tennessee. His parents, James and
Sarah (Gillet) Hurley, were natives of Tennessee. James was raised on
a farm and received a common school education, and during life he has
given his attention to agricultural pursuits. During the war he espoused
the southern cause, shouldered his musket and went to the front. In
November, 1862, he enlisted in Company I, Sixty-first Tennessee, under
General Bragg, and was afterward transferred to General Pemberton's
command. He took part in the battles of Tazewell, Tennessee, Azure
City, Chickasaw Bayou, Black River Bridge, and Siege of Vicksburg.
His regiment was captured here, but he happened to be on the outside
and escaped with Johnston. He then joined the Fifth Tennessee Cav-
alry and went through the Atlanta campaign and thence before Sher-
man to the sea and finally surrendered at Greensburg, North Carolina,
April 26, 1865. At the close of the war Mr. Hurley emigrated west,
intending to go to Salt Lake City. He stopped a while at Rock Port
and finally located here. In 1877 he settled on his present farm. He
owns 250 acres, well improved, with a neat residence, young orchard,
etc. He has filled the position of school director some six years, and
has often been road overseer. He was married on the 28th of Novem-
ber, 1867, to Miss Rachel Frampton, a native of Clay County, Missouri,
and a daughter of Isaac and Clarinda Frampton. She was born July
27, 1845. They have five children : Sarah, born September 27, 1868 ;
Gertrude, born May 11, 1870; John, October 10, 1876; Clarinda, born
56
9H HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
in October, 1877, and Lydia, born July 12, 1881. Mrs. H. is a member
of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church of Rock Creek.
URIAH INGHRAM,
of the firm of Anderson & Inghram, proprietors of livery, feed and sale
stables at Tarkio, was born November 6, 1853, in. Greene County, Penn-
sylvania, and is the son of Arthur and Mary J. (Cowen) Inghram, who
were natives of Pennsylvania. Uriah accompanied his parents to Jeffer-
son County Iowa, in i860, and there he was principally raised on a farm,
receiving a fair education. Arriving at maturity he commenced farm-
ing on his own account. He came to Tarkio March 1, 1882, and pur-
chased a half interest with Mr. Anderson in the livery stable. They
have one of the best establishments in Northwest Missouri, keep a good
stock of horses, buggies, etc., and are always found ready to attend to
the wants of the traveling public. Mr. Anderson formerly conducted a
livery stable at Burlington Junction, and Mr. Inghram superintends the
business at Tarkio. He was married on the 18th of November, 1879, to'
Miss Mary A. Regester, a native of Greene County, Pennsylvania, born
June 6, 1855. She was a daughter of John and Mary Regester. They
have three children : Mary A., born August 18, 1875 : Emma B., born
August 18, 1877, and Rilla A., born February 22, 1880.
EZRA D. JOHNSON,
farmer and stock raiser, section 29, a leading man in this locality, was
born in Cayuga County, New York, October 4, 1833. His parents,
David H. and Maria (Fish) Johnson, were both natives of York State.
Ezra was the third in a family of eight children. He spent his boyhood
days on the farm, and received an education in the neighborhood schools.
In 1850, he accompanied his parents to Steuben County, New York,
where he remained for four years. In 1854, he went to Barry County,
Michigan, and commenced to work at the carpenter's trade, which he
followed in that state for some fourteen years. In 1869, he came to Atch-
ison County, Missouri, and settled where he now resides. He has
improved a fine farm, and owns 280 acres of good land, well cultivated.
He has a comfortable residence, a good orchard, etc. A new mail route
was established in the spring of 1871, between Maryville and Rock Port.
Mr. Johnson was appointed postmaster on the 10th of May, 1871, and
the office was called Homer PostofHce. He filled the position ten years,
or until the route was abandoned. He is a member of the Masonic
fraternity, and also belongs to Industry Lodge No. 220, A. O. U. W., of
which he holds the position of Receiver. Mr. Johnson was married July
4, 1862, to Miss Frances Drake, a native of Catskill County, New York,
TARKIO TOWNSHIP. 915
born May 20, 1836. She is a daughter of Ransom and Lurette Drake.
By this union they had one child, Herbert, now deceased. They are
members of the M. E. Church.
JOHN LARAMORE,
farmer and stock raiser, section 18, was born November 12, 18 18, in
Caroline County, Maryland. His parents, Thomas and Mary (Blades)
Laramore, were natives of Maryland. John was taken to Kent County,
Delaware, when quite young and there spent his youth on a farm, receiv-
ing a common school education. In 1857 he immigrated to Bureau
County, Illinois, and resided there for nine years, after which he went to
Stark County, of the same state, and thence to Fremont County, Iowa,
in March, 1874 ! after remaining there one year he went to Page County,
Iowa. He came to Atchison County, Missouri, in 1879, and in 188 1 he
moved to Shenandoah, Iowa. In April, 1879, he settled the place where
he now resides, soon returned and settled upon it permanently in the
spring of 1882. It contains 160 acres of fine land, improved. Mr. Lara-
more was married February 13, 1840, to Miss Dorcas Wyatt, a native of
Kent County, Delaware, born April 12, 1823. She was a daughter of
Moses and Sarah Wyatt. They have twelve children : James H., born
August 7, 1841 ; Nancy E., born January 12, 1845, (now Mrs. William
Deal, of Nebraska); Sarah C, born September 4, 1846, (now Mrs. Joseph
Andrews, of Nebraska); John W. B., born November 22, 1850 ; William
T., born July 12, 1853 '■> Willmina G., born September 23, 1848, (now Mrs.
John Gudgel, of Iowa); Willis H., born September 13, 1857 ; Susan M.,
born June 14, i860; Aner, born February 18, 1862; George G., born
May 19, 1863 ; Sherman, born June 22, 1866 ; Isabella, born April 21,
1869. Mr. L. and wife are members of the M. E. Church.
ROBERT LYNN,
proprietor of Tarkio nursery, situated on section 19, was born May 7,
1828, his native home being Ballymenia, County Antrim, Ireland.
His parents were William and Agnes (Lamont) Lynn, who were of
Scotch descent. Robert was the third child in a family of seven chil-
dren. He was reared and educated in Ireland, and in 1846 he emigrated
with his parents to Canada West, where he continued to live for twenty-
two years. In 1865 he traveled through Illinois and Iowa and returned
to Canada, and in the spring of 1868 came to Atchison County, Mis-
souri, where he has since lived. His first intention was only to improve
a fruit farm, but knowing the wants of a nursery in Atchison County,
he shortly after embarked in the nursery business, and now has one of
the most complete stocks in Northwest Missouri. A bearing orchard of
9l6 HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
2,000 fruit trees and a grove of larch, pine and evergreens, containing
about 6,000 trees, adorn the place. His farm contains 372 acres. Mr.
Lynn is and has long been one of the leading grangers of Atchison
County, having been a delegate to the State Grange for four years,
serving on the auditing committee. He was married March 3, 1863, to
Miss Flora McKillop, a daughter of Donald and Ann McKillop. She
was born in McGenty County, Province of Quebec, Canada, in Novem-
ber, 1841. They have eight children: Anna A., born December 11,
1863 ; Lizzie I., born September 15, 1865 ; Thomas, born July 25, 1867 ;
Maggie, born September 22, 1869 ; Hugh A., born December 24, 1871 ;
Carrie, born March 30, 1874, and Robert W. and Flora W. (twins), born
March 26, 1877. Mr. Lynn and his wife are members of the Presby-
terian Church at Rock Port. He has held the position of elder in the
same since 1870, and has been one of the most active of Sabbath
school workers.
W. M. McADAMS,
farmer and stock raiser, section 29, is one among the old pioneers of
Atchison County. He was born the 5th of November, 1838, in Wash-
ington County, Tennessee. He is of Scottish descent, though his
parents, W. S. and Eleanor (McNeal) McAdams, were natives of Ten-
nessee. W. M. was the fourth in a family of five children. The father
died when he was about four years of age. He was reared on a farm
and received a common school education, mostly by self application. .
In the spring of 1853 he came west and landed in Atchison County,
Missouri, on the 27th of April of that year, settling in the little town of
Sonora. The country was then new and thinly settled, but he concluded
to make his home on the frontier, and has since remained here, being
engaged in farming and sawmilling. In the spring of 1882 he located
where he now resides, and at present owns 160 acres of fine land, well
improved. He has a handsome residence, young orchard, etc. Being
an old settler, he is well and favorably known. He is a member of the
Masonic fraternity. Mr. McAdams was married June 11, 1865, to Miss
Rachel Ralston, daughter of Charles and Mary A. Ralston. She is a
native of Ohio. They have six children : Thomas W., born March 15,
1866 ; Charles M., born November 23, 1867 ; Alvin E., born October 31,
1870 ; James W. E., born May 3, 1873 ; Bertie, born January 18, 1876, and
Bird, born April 22, 1879.
WILLIAM S. McCALLEY,
farmer and stock raiser, section 30, was one of the first to settle on the
prairies in this vicinity. He was born July 28, 1843, in Gibson, Indiana.
His father, David McCalley, was born June 24, 1805, in Ohio, and died
TARKIO TOWNSHIP. 91 7
in Louisa County, Iowa. His mother's maiden name was Ann Wilson,
and she was also born in Ohio. William was taken to Lee County, Iowa,
in 1844, and was reared there on a farm, receiving a common school
education. During the war he enlisted on August 22, 1862, at Keokuk,
Iowa, in Company A, Nineteenth Iowa Infantry. He took part in the
battles of Prairie Grove, siege of Vicksburg, Spanish Fort, surrender of
Mobile, and with General Banks on his Texas expedition. He was
mustered out at Davenport, Iowa, after which he settled in Louisa
County, Iowa, where he resided five years. In 1870, he moved to Page
County, Iowa, and thence to Atchison County, Missouri, in 1875, locat-
ing where he now resides. He now owns 160 acres of well improved
land, has a comfortable residence, etc. Politically, he is a staunch
Republican, and a strong temperance man. Mr. McCalley was married
February 6, 1873, to Miss Mary A. Munzzingo, daughter of Edward
Munzzingo. She was born near Richmond, Indiana. They have five
children : Annie G., Maggie E., David C, Amanda and Arthur. Him-
self and wife are members of the Greenville United Presbyterian Church,
in which he holds the position of Elder. He is widely and favorably
known throughout the county.
DANIEL McH. McKAY,
physician and surgeon at Tarkio, was born in the village of Shubenaca-
die, Nova Scotia, on the 25th of November, 1843. His parents, John and
Ann (McHeffey) McKay, were both natives of Nova Scotia. Daniel was
principally raised at his birthplace. When fourteen years old he com-
menced to attend college at Truro, Nova Scotia, where he remained for
three years. He then began the study of law at Truro, and afterwards
went to Halifax, and studied under A. G. Archibald, who was at that
time Attorney General of Canada, now Governor of Canada. The sub-
ject of this sketch was admitted to the bar in February, 1866, and then
engaged in the practice of his profession in Halifax. He immigrated
west in 1868, and settled at Rock Port, where he was occupied in teach-
ing for some five months, after which he went into the real estate busi-
ness with J. P. Lewis. In 1869, he moved to Maryville, Nodaway County,
and made a set of abstract books for that county. In 1870, he purchased
a drug store at Quitman) and commenced the study of medicine. In
1873, he moved to .Lamar Station, and started a drug store at that point,
but eighteen months later he located at Maryville. He continued the
study of medicine under Dr. Millholland, and took his first course of lec-
tures about 1874, at the Bennett Medical College, of Chicago. He grad-
uated from the St. Louis Medical College in the spring of 1878, and then
commenced practicing at Maryville. In the spring of 1879, he went to
Montana Territory, where he practiced some and also engaged in min-
91S HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
ing. He returned that fall, and made a subsequent trip there in the
spring of 1880, and is still interested in the mines. In October, 1880, he
came to Tarkio, and has been occupied in the practice of his profession
since that time. He was married on the 20th of April, 1870, to Ester
Fisher, whose maiden name was Ester Thoughman, a native of St. Joseph.
They have two children : Edgar T. and Daniel McH. Lost one. By
her former husband, Mrs. McKay has four children : William Y., Taho-
nas O., Boone K. and George R. Mrs. McKay is a member of the Baptist
Church.
GEORGE McKEE,
farmer, section 20. Among the oldest pioneers of Atchison County
stands the subject of this sketch. He was born September 2, 1830, in
Holmes County, Ohio. His parents, Eben and Sarah (Hazel) McKee,
were natives of Delaware. They moved to Marion County, Indiana,
about 1840, where the subject of this sketch was reared to manhood,
spending his boyhood days on the farm, and he has since given his atten-
tion to agricultural pursuits through life. He accompanied his parents
to Missouri, in the fall of 1847, and settled in Center Grove, Atchison
County. The country was then wild and thinly settled and abounded in
game. Young McKee devoted much time to the clearing of a farm, and
during the summer seasons of 1848 and 1849 he was engaged as a Gov-
ernment teamster on the plains and made two trips to New Fort Kear-
ney, at Grand Island. He was then married and settled down to farm-
ing. Soon afterwards he moved upon the place he now occupies and
since then has remained upon it. During the war he served in the
Enrolled Missouri Militia. He has always been an industrious, hand-
working citizen, and is widely known in the neighborhood. He owns
230 acres of fine land, in a good location for a stock farm. Mr. McKee
was married February 20, 1852, to Miss Nancy Ann Ross, a native of
Tennesse, a daughter of Robert and Jane Ross, nee Bird, who were
natives of Tennessee. They have nine children : Sarah J., born Novem-
ber 30, 1852 (now Mrs. William Fowler of this county); Elizabeth, born
April 19, 1855 (now Mrs. John Woolsey of this township); Mary E.,born
December 18, 1858 (wife of Granville Woolsey of this township); Martha
E., born September 1, 1859 (now Mrs. James Bonhardt of Nebraska);
Lucinda C, born May 31, 1861 (now Mrs. David Wolf of this county);
Louisa A., born May 31, 1861 ; Nancy S., born October 24, 1865 ; Eugenia,
born February 4, 1868 ; George W., born March 25, i8%i ; Rebecca, born
January 14, 1873. They are also raising an adopted child, Robert K.
Archer, born February 24, 1868. They are members of the M. E. Church.
G. W. MARQUIS,
farmer and stock raiser, section 10, was born in Washington, Pennsyl-
vania, June 4, 1832. His parents, James and Jane (Curry) Marquis, were
TARKIO TOWNSHIP. 919
natives of Pennsylvania. They moved to Logan County, Ohio, when
G. W., was about ten years of age. He was reared on a farm and
received a common school education. Arriving at maturity he moved
to Marshall County, Illinois, where he remained six years. He then
returned to Ohio, and three years after immigrated to Iowa and settled
near Mount Pleasant, Henry County, where he remained some three
years ; thence to Atchison County, Missouri, locating where he now
resides. He owns a fine farm of 160 acres. He has filled the offices of
school director and road overseer several terms. Mr. Marquis has been
twice married ; first, December 13, 1855, to Miss G. A. Farris, a native
ot Ohio County, West Virginia, and daughter of John and Ann Farris ;
she died September 4, 1868. They had three children, one of whom is
living : Albert, born December 25, 1861. Mr. M. was married again
September 7, 1869, to Miss H. M. Farris, a cousin of his former wife.
She was born in Ohio County, West Virginia, December 8, 1839, and
was a daughter of Adam and Sarah Farris. By this union they have
had three children, one only now living : Sarah B., born July 25, 1874.
They are members of the Presbyterian Church of Tarkio.
THOMAS W. MARTIN,
farmer and stock raiser, section n, a pioneer of Northwest Missouri, is a
son of Thomas Martin, who was born in Franklin County, Kentucky,
while his wife, whose maiden name was Hannah P. White, was born in
Orange County, New York. They came to Buchanan County, Missouri,
in 1837. Thomas was born in that county December 9, 1838. When he
was about three years of age his parents moved to Atchison County,
Missouri, and settled on High Creek, in Polk Township, where they took
up a claim, built a log cabin and commenced to clear a farm. His father
also traded considerably with the Indians. It was on this frontier that
the subject of this sketch was reared to manhood. He received an edu-
cation in the log schoolhouses, and has given his attention to agricultu-
ral pursuits through life. On March 23, 1862, he enlisted in Company
F, Fifth Missouri Cavalry, and served until June, 1863, filling the position
of corporal. On the 8th of March, 1865, he enlisted in Company C,
Fifty-first Missouri Volunteer Infantry, and served until the close of the
war. He served on the frontier and in Southwest Missouri, taking part
in some fifteen skirmishes against the noted Quantrell. At the close of
the war he turned his attention to farming. He now runs the Hopkin's
farm, of 170 acres, near Center Point. Mr. Martin was married July 16,
1863, to Miss J. F. Braxdale, a native of Boyd County, Kentucky, and a
daughter of John and Emeline Braxdale. They have eight children :
Orlando A., born October 5, 1864 ; Emma H., born November 14, 1866 :
Tommy J., born February 13, 1869 ; Jennie B., born June 16, 1871 ; Edith
920 HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
E., born July 23, 1873 J David C, born October 8, 1875 ; Lillie D. O.,
born June 14, 1878, and Mary S., born May 2, 1880.
A. J. MILLIER
is proprietor of the Opera House grocery store. The subject of this
sketch was born November 6, 1848, near Fulton, on the bank of the
Mississippi River, in Whiteside County, Illinois. His parents, Edward
and Salina (Tucker) Millier, were natives of England. Alfred was the
second in a family of three children. He was reared at his birthplace
on the farm, and after receiving a preparatory education in the neigh-
borhood schools, he completed his education at Fulton High School.
In 1869 he emigrated west to Webster City, Iowa, where he remained
some two years. In 1871 he came overland to Missouri and settled in
St. Joseph, where he was engaged as clerk in a grocery store, and since
then he has continued the grocery business. In the spring of 1881 he
went to Carrolton, Missouri, and thence to Tarkio in August, 1881. He
carries a large and well assorted stock and does a flourishing business,
for which he is ably qualified, having had long experience therein. He
is a good salesman. He has a residence property in town. Mr. Millier
is a member of St. Joseph Lodge, No. 22, Knights of Pythias, and is
also an ancient Odd Fellow. He was married on the 25th of May, 1878,
to Miss Annie Hossick, daughter of George Hossick, of Carrolton, Mis-
souri. She is a native of Ohio. They have had two children : Roy C,
born January 18, 1880, and Alfred W., born January 17, 1882. Himself
and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.'
ALBERT F. NEAL,
of the firm of Emmert & Neal, dealers in general merchandise, was born
in Champaign County, Ohio, on September 26, 1849, and was the son of
William and Abigal Neal, natives of Ohio. Albert accompanied his
parents to Wapello County, Iowa, when seven years of age, and 'there
he was brought up on a farm, receiving a common school education. In
1863, he moved to Nemaha County, Nebraska, and for the first two years
was engaged in farming. In 1866, he embarked in the mercantile busi-
ness in Brownville, Nebraska, and continued therein until 1874, when he
located at Rock Port, entering into business at that point. In 1876, he
moved to Center Point, and from thence came to Tarkio, in November,
1880, forming a partnership with Mr. Emmert. They do a leading busi-
ness of this city. Mr. Neal is a thorough business man, and carries the
respect and esteem of a large circle of friends. He is a member of
North Star Lodge No. 157, A. F. and A. M., of Rock Port. He was
married, October 20, 1874, to Miss Blanche A. Owen, daughter of Johi
TARKIO TOWNSHIP. 92 1
D. and Caroline Owen, of this county. She is a native of Illinois. They
have been blessed with three children, only one of whom is now living,
Lillian, born August 27, 1881. Mrs. Neal is a member of the M. E.
Church, of Tarkio.
ABRAHAM PENNY,
farmer and stock raiser, section 29, was born February 26, 1832, in Mor-
gan County, Ohio. His father, Daniel Penny, was a native of Maine,
and his mother, Sarah (Taylor) Penny, was born in Virginia, but was
principally raised in Ohio. Abraham was the eighth in a family of ten
children. He was taken toMiama County, Ohio, when small and reared
to manhood on a farm, receiving a common school education. He has
given his attention to agricultural pursuits through life. In 1849 ne
moved to Cass County, Indiana, and remained there six years, and
thence to Nemaha County, Nebraska, in the spring of 1856. He lived
there thirteen years engaged in farming. On the 4th of November, 1862
he enlisted in Company E, Second Nebraska Cavalry, in which he filled
the position of corporal. This company served on the frontier. In
1869 Mr. Penny came to Atchison County and settled in Rock Port,
where he remained seven years engaged in farming and milling. He
located where he now resides in the spring of 1877. He owns 160 acres
of fine land ; has a nice orchard of 120 apple trees, 80 pear trees, etc.
He has filled the position of school director. Mr. P. was married June r,
1854, to Miss Mary Munty, a native of Preble County, Ohio, and a daughter
of William and Elizabeth Munty. She was born June 25, 1836. They
have six children : William, born October 6, 1857 ; Sarah E., born
June 8, 1861 ; Lucinda F., born October 8, 1864; Abraham Lincoln,
born August 20, 1867 ; Mary C.,born September 6, 1869; Verta Eugene,
born June 4, 1876. Four are deceased. Mrs. Penny is a member of the
Baptist Church.
ISAAC W. PHILLIPS,
farmer and stock raiser, section 3, one of the most enterprising business
men of this township, was born in Warren County, Illinois, January 30,
1853. His father, Robert Phi'lips, was a native of Ohio, and his mother,
formerly Ester Woods, was a native of Indiana. Isaac spent his boy-
hood days on the farm, until sixteen years of age, and received a com-
mon school education. He accompanied his parents to Labette County,
Kansas, in 1869, and upon arriving at maturity he turned his attention
to agricultural pursuits. He came to Atchison County in the spring of
188 1, and settled where he now resides. He farms 640 acres of D. Ran-
kin, he being a brother-in-law of Mr. R., and is quite largely interested
in stock raising. Mr. Phillips was married November 26, 1879, to Miss
Mary Martin, a native of Sciota County, Ohio, born near Portsmouth,.
922 HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
March 21, i85i. She was a daughter of John and Mary Isabelle (Mcln-
trell) Martin. Her father was of Scottish descent, and her mother was a
native of Ohio. She accompanied her parents to Labette County, Kan-
sas, when about ten years of age, where she was reared and educated.
Mr. P. and his wife are members of the United Presbyterian Church, of
Tarkio.
SILAS H. PRATHER,
farmer and stock raiser, section 22, was born in Hillsboro, Highland
County, Ohio, December 10, 1846. His father, John H. Prather, was a
native of West Virginia and was of Scottish descent, while his mother,
Catherine (Chaney) Prather, was born in Ohio and of Dutch extraction.
They came to Ohio in an early day. Silas is the only child now living
of a family of three children. His mother died when he was about two
years of age. In 1856 he accompanied his father and step-mother to
Montezuma, Poweshiek County, Iowa, where they remained some three
years, then returning to Ohio. Young Prather spent his youth on a
farm and obtained a fair education. When President Lincoln issued his
first call for ninety-day men the subject of this sketch was among the
first to respond. He enlisted in the One Hundredth and Fifty-eighth
Ohio Infantry, Company F, and, after serving his time, he returned to
Ohio and from there emigrated to Henderson City, Illinois. In 1864 he
again enlisted in the Fifty-eighth Illinois Infantry, Company G., and
served until the close of the war. He enlisted as a private and rose to
first-duty sergeant, serving mostly on detached service, principally in
the quartermaster's office. He remained some time at Montgomery,
Alabama, and at the close of the war he settled in Henderson County,
Illinois, and a short time after went to Winterset, Iowa, in the fall of
1866, where he remained three years occupied in farming. In 1869 he
went to Texas, was interested for two years in the cattle business, and
in the fall of 1870 he moved to Henry County, Missouri. There he
lived five years engaged in farming. In 1875 he settled in Warren
County, Illinois, and became associated with David Rankin in farming
and stock raising. He came to Atchison County in the spring of 1878.
He owns a third interest with Mr. Rankin in 7,600 acres of land and
they are largely interested in stock raising. Mr. Prather superintends
the farm. He is a sterling business man. Commencing life a poor boy,
he was early deprived of the care of a mother and was thrown upon his.
own resources. He has worked his way steadily upward by honesty,
industry and attention to business. Politically he is a staunch Repub-
lican. Mr. P. was married December 20, 1870, to Miss Emma Rankin,
youngest sister of David Rankin. She is a native of Illinois and was
born December 17, 1845. She died March 15, 1881, leaving three chil-
dren : Nettie Bell, born December 10, 1871 ; Homer Dee, born Decern-
TARKIO TOWNSHIP. 923
ber 1, 1873, and Harry Rankin, born March 4, 1875. Mr. Prather is a
member of the M. E. Church, of Tarkio, in which he holds the position
of steward. He is also a strong temperance man.
SAMUEL RAINEY,
agent for Colonel P. A. Thompson, grain dealer, was born December 20,
1841, in Sardina, Brown County, Ohio. His father, James Rainey, was a
native of Virginia, while his wife, formerly Peggy Kimes, was from Ken-
tucky. Samuel was the fourth in a family of eight children. He was
reared in his native village, receiving fair educational advantages. When
the civil war broke out, he enlisted October 12, 1861, in the Eleventh
Ohio Cavalry. They were placed out on the frontier to fight Indi-
ans ; he took part in the battle of Mud Springs and several other noted
engagements, serving until July. 14, 1866, when he held the position of
sergeant. At the close of the war Mr. R. returned to Ohio. In the
spring of 1867, he came west to Atchison County, Missouri, and has
since made this his home, having been engaged in farming and stock
raising. He commenced the grain business at this point for Colonel
Thompson, January 1, 1881. They enjoy a liberal patronage, have a
neat office and stock scales and yards, dealing in stock to some extent.
Mr. Rainey is a good business man and much of a gentleman in his
manners. He is a member of Atchison Lodge No. 220, A. O. U. W., of
Tarkio, and was formerly a member of the Grange. Politically he is a
staunch Republican. He was married February 12, 1877, to Miss Sadie
Majors, a native of Mount Vernon, Knox County, Ohio. She died April
27, 1878.
HON. DAVID RANKIN.
Prominent among the self made men of Missouri is the subject of
this biography. He was born on the 28th of May, 1825, in Sullivan
County, Indiana. His father, William Rankin, was born in Jefferson
County, Ohio, and was a wheelwright by occupation. He married Eliz-
abeth Gross, who was a native of Guilford County, North Carolina, both
of whom were of German-American origin. David accompanied his
parents to Parke County, Indiana, when six years of age, and then to
Vermillion County, Indiana, when eight years old. After remaining
there three years, they immigrated west to Warren County, Illinois, in
what is now Henderson County, in 1836. There the subject of this sketch
was reared to manhood, spending his boyhood days on the farm and in
his father's saw mill. He received the benefits of a common school
education. Being a member of a poor family, he was obliged to work
hard. When he became a young man, his father gave him a colt, and
this was his commencement in the stock business. By trading and sav-
924 HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
ing what money he could, he finally obtained enough to buy eighty acres
of land, giving one hundred dollars for it. He still resides on this old
homestead, which is located near Biggsville, Illinois, some twelve miles
east of Burlington, Iowa. Mr. R. then went to work with a will, farm-
ing and stock raising. He possessed those sterling principles of honesty,
integrity and attention to business, and has made a grand success in life.
He owns thirty thousand acres of improved land, valued at one million
dollars, about twenty-four thousand acres of which is located in Atchi-
son County, and he may truly be called the land king of Northwest Mis-
souri. He is president of the First National Bank, of Monmouth, Illi-
nois, and is largely interested in several others, among which is the
Savings Bank of Burlington, Iowa, Rankin, Stevenston & Co., of Tarkio,
and others. He is a member of the Tarkio Town Company, and owns
a sixth interest therein, and also owns a sixth interest in Fairfax and
Westboro. He was elected on the Republican ticket to represent his
district in the Twenty-eighth and Twenty-ninth general assemblies of
the Illinois Legislature, in 1872, and was re-elected again the next term
(1874). His district was a strong Democratic one, but he was elected
the first time by sixty-seven majority, and the next time by over 1,800
majority. He was a candidate for congress in 1876, and received every
vote of his district for twenty-five ballots. He superintends his business
himself, and knows just how every department is conducted. His assist-
ant superintendents generally have an interest with him, and are there-
fore working for themselves as well as him. He owns some 600 head of
horses and mules, feeds his grain mostly to his stock, and owns a large
stock ranch in Nebraska. He generally ships a train or two of cattle at
one time. In his manners he is unassuming, yet cordial, kind-hearted
and generous, every worthy public enterprise receiving his support. He
has been an active member of the United Presbyterian Church since he
was about twenty-six years of age. He is honored and respected by all!
who are favored with his acquaintance, and none deserve success more
than David Rankin. He has been twice married. First, on the 2ist ofl
March, 1850, to Miss Sarah Tompson, a native of Guernsey County,
Ohio, born in 1826. She was a daughter of Adam and Jane Tompson,
who were natives of Ohio. She died in December, 1878, leaving three
children : Nettie V., born July 28, 1855, (now Mrs. J. F. Hanna, of Tarkio);?
John A., born November 21, 1856, and William F., born January 1, i860.
Mr. R. was married again in January, 1879, to Elizabeth Gowdy. Her
maiden name was Elizabeth Philipps, and she was born in Gibson County,
Indiana, but was brought to Warren County, Illinois, when quite small.
There she was reared. She has five children by her former husband :
Ella (now Mrs. Joseph Ely, of this county), Mary, Roily, Chester and
Grace.
TARKIO TOWNSHIP. 925
JAMES RANKIN,
farmer and stock raiser, section 36, was born in Sullivan County, Indi-
ana, June 23, 1828, and is the son of Hugh and Nancy (Milligan) Rankin,
natives of Ohio. They were of Scottish descent. When James was seven
years of age his parents moved to Warren (now Henderson) County,
Illinois, and there the subject of this sketch passed his youth, receiving
a common school education. He has given his attention principally to
agricultural pursuits through life. He fell a victim to the gold fever in
the spring of 1861 and immigrated west to Colorado, where he engaged
in mining. He returned to Illinois in the fall of 1862, and in 1866 he
commenced the hardware business at Kirkwood, Warren County, which
he continued some ten years. Mr. R. then came to Atchison County, in
August, 1876, settling in Dale Township. He moved to the place on
which he now resides in the fall of 1880. It was then all wild prairie
land and he commenced to improve it, now owning 800 acres well
improved. He has a handsome residence, good barn, a nice young
orchard, etc., also oversees some 6,000 acres for his cousin David Ran-
kin. He commenced life a poor boy and has worked his own way
through by honesty, integrity and attention to business. He is one of
the largest cattle feeders and shippers in this county, and is well and
favorably known to the stock men of Northwest Missouri. He was mar-
ried in July, 1849, to Miss Elenore Lusk, a daughter of James and Isa-
bella Lusk. She was born in February, 1832, in South Carolina. They
have had eight children, four of whom are living: Isabella J., born Feb-
ruary 23, 1850 'now Mrs. William J. Putney of this county 1; Rebecca L.,
born November 14, 1856 (now Mrs. J. A. Tompson of this county);
William W., born January 13, 1859 \ Laura E.. born March 4, 1861 (new
Mrs. J. A. Nelson of this county). Himself, wife and three daughters are
members of the United Presbyterian Church. He fills the position of
elder in the Greenville congregation. Politically he is a staunch Repub-
lican.
ED. F. RANKIN,
farmer and stock raiser, section 28, was born in Warren County, Illinois,
February 1, 1854. His father, Aleck Rankin, was a native of Indiana,
and his mother, whose maiden name was Jane Struthers, was born in
Ohio. They came to Illinois in an early day. Ed. F. was the eldest in
a family of five children, four of whom are now living. He was reared
to manhood at his birthplace, spending his boyhood days on a farm and
after receiving a preparatory education he attended Monmouth College.
When twenty-one years of age he commenced business for himself,
engaging in farming and stock raising. He came to Atchison County
in June, 1876, and purchased his present farm, moving upon it the fall of
926 HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
1876. He settled on this place in partnership with his brother, Dr. C.
Rankin, and commenced to improve it. He owns 760 acres of fine land
which is well improved ; has a neat residence, a good barn, and a nice
young orchard. He is largely interested in stock raising, and has some
Short Horn cattle. He is an industrious, enterprising young man, and
one that Atchison County may be proud to own. Mr. R. was married
December 26, 1879, to Miss Mary Willsie, a native of Des Moines, Iowa,
daughter of Henry and Mary Willsie, who are now residents of Burling-
ton Junction, Missouri. She was reared and educated at Des Moines.
The have one child, an infant, born February, 1882.
D. C. RANKIN,
farmer and stock raiser, section 28, was born in Warren County, Illinois,
one the 14th day of September, 1855. His father, Alexander Rankin,
was a native of Indiana, and his mother, formerly Martha J. Struthers,
was born in Ohio. They came to Illinois in an early day. D. C. was
the second in a family of five children. He spent his youth at his birth
place on the farm, and after receiving a preparatory education in the
common schools he attended Martin Bros. Business College, of Mon-
mouth, Illinois. He came west in the fall of 1876, and in partnership
with his brother Ed. F., settled on the wild prairie, which they began
breaking. They hauled their first lumber from Shenandoah, Iowa, some
thirty miles distant. Mr. R. now owns 580 acres of well improved land,
a neat comfortable residence, young orchard, etc. He was married
October 24, 1881, to Miss Anna J. Ray, a native of Chicago, born in
1856. She is a daughter of L. C. and Anna Ray, of Chicago. She is a
member of the M. E. Church. Mr. Rankin is largely interested in stock
raising and feeding. He is respected by all and numbers his friends by
the score.
JOHN A. RANKIN,
farmer and banker, at Tarkio, is a prominent man of this county. He is
the eldest son and second child in a family of three, who were children
of David and Sarah Rankin. He was born November 21, 1856, near
Biggsville, Henderson County, Illinois. He was reared at his birth
place, and passed his youthful days on the farm, receiving a preparatory
education in the neighborhood schools. In 1873, he entered Monmouth
College, from which institution he graduated in 1877. When not in
school he assisted his father in the stock business, and also in the bank.
He remained some time in the First National Bank of Monmouth, Illi-
nois, and made his first trip west to Atchison County, Missouri, during
vacation, in 1876. In the fall of 1877, he went to Cheyenne, remaining
about two months, then returned home and the following winter he came
TARKIO TOWNSHIP. 927
to Atchison County, where he became engaged in farming and stock
raising. During the summer of 1880, he erected his present handsome
residence, on the western outskirts of the town of Tarkio, also a good
barn. His farm contains 400 acres of choice land, and is said to be one
of the finest pieces of land in Atchison County. From his residence he
has a good view of the surrounding country. He also owns a farm of
840 acres near Westboro. His land is all well improved, he has some
fine stock, and is also interested in banking. He was the first to sell lots
in Tarkio. Politically, he is a staunch Republican. He has inherited
some of the vim and energy of his father, and is a stirring business man.
He is not addicted to the use of strong drink, and never tasted a drop
of liquor in his life, although having been associated with those who did
drink. Mr R. was married June 9, 1879, to Miss Hattie Arms, daughter
of J. D. and Harriet Arms, of Monmouth, Illinois, She was born in
Monmouth, Illinois, December 18, 1856. They have been blessed with
one child, Nellie, born September 29, 1881.
WILLIAM F. RANKIN,
farmer and stock raiser, section 9, the subject of this sketch, was born
January I, i860, near Biggsville, Henderson County, Illinois, and is the
youngest child of David and Sarah Rankin. He was reared to manhood
at his biathplace, on the farm, and after receiving a preparatory educa-
tion in the common schools he attended Monmouth College, finishing his
education at Eastman's Business College, Poughkeepsie, New York.
From this institution he was graduated, December 22, 1880. He drove a
four-horse plow when only ten years of age, then being so small as to be
compelled to stand on a nail keg to harness his horses. He also assisted
his father in shipping stock and in the banking business. He made his
first trip west in July, 1877. He came to Atchison County and remained
two or three weeks. In June, 1879, he again visited this county and put
in a crop. He returned to Illinois again and continued his studies. In
June, 1880, he came west and purchased a farm. After completing his
course at the Business College, in January, 1881, he moved out and set-
tled on the old Burr Oak Farm, locating where he now resides in
November, 188 1. He owns 1,280 acres of fine land, all improved, 320 of
this lying just west of the city of Tarkio. His land is well watered and
suitably adapted to stock raising. He has a handsome residence. He
also owns an interest in the Tarkio Bank. Mr. Rankin carries the respect
of a large circle of friends. He is a member of the Phi Kappa Psi frater-
nity, of Monmouth, in which he held the position of secretary. Politi-
cally, he is a staunch Republican. He is a strong temperance man. Mr.
R. was married May 12, 1881, to Miss Lizzie Marshall, daughter of J. W.
and Anna Marshall, of Monmouth, Illinois. She was born in Springfield,
928 HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
Ohio, August 12, 1861. She was brought to Monmouth by her parents
when about six years of age, and there was reared and educated. They
are both active members of the United Presbyterian Church, of Tarkio.
GEORGE W. REED,
farmer and stock raiser, section 6, township 65, range 39, is a prominent
pioneer of this township. He was born March 7, 1832, in Portage
County, Ohio. His father, John Reed, was a native of Virginia, and his
mother, formerly Rebecca Moran, was born in Maryland. George was
reared to manhood at his birthplace on the farm, and received a com-
mon school education. He also learned the blacksmith's trade. In Octo-
ber, 1854, he immigrated to Iowa and settled in Hardin County, at the
then new town of Eldora, there being only three houses in the place.
He started a shop and did the first blacksmithing in the county. After
remaining there some twelve years, he moved on a farm where he lived
six years. In March, 1870, he came to Atchison County, Missouri, with
Mr. Shoecraft and settled where he now resides. They built a small
shanty and broke prairie. He helped to locate the roads and put in the
first bridge. At that time there were but four farms opened between
his place and Rock Port. He was instrumental in establishing a mail
route from Rock Port to Maryville. His first building lumber he hauled
from Phelps and Craig. Mr. R. now has 160 acres of fine land, well
improved, comfortable buildings, etc. He has been a hard working man
and deserves his success. During the war he enlisted in September,
1861, in Company A, Twelfth Iowa Infantry. He took part in the battles
of Fort Donelson, Fort Henry, Smithland, Kentucky and Shiloh. He
was taken prisoner at the battle on April 6. They were taken to Tusca-
loosa, Alabama, and were three days without anything to eat. They
were confined at different points : Macon, Georgia, and finally to Libby
Prison. He suffered fearfully and lost about 100 pounds in weight, and
was little more than a skeleton when he was released in December,
1862. He held the position of sergeant ; returning home he recruited
forty men, with whom he went to Davenport. He was offered a lieu-
tenant's commission, but ill health would not permit his going to the field
again. Mr. Reed has been twice married : First, in September, 1854, to
Miss Mariah Ewell, a native of Maine ; she died June 16, 1870. By this
union he has two children : John I., born September 3, 1858, and
George R., born April 9, i860. He was married again January 12, 1874,
to Helen Mar Ewell, a sister of the former wife. She was born in Ken-
nebec County, Maine, November 17, 1833. They had one child : Stella,
born October 15, 1874. Mrs. Reed is a member of the Presbyterian
Church.
TARKIO TOWNSHIP. 929
J. R. ROBERTSON,
of the firm of Cowick & Robertson, publishers of the Tarkio Republican,
was born near Monmouth, Warren County, Illinois, August 7, 1853. His
parents, James W. and Emeline (Morgan) Robertson, were natives of
York State. J. R. was reared at his birth place, and received his educa-
tion at Monmouth College. He came west in November, 1881, and set-
tled at Tarkio, where he became associated with Mr. Cowick. He is a
member of Warren Lodge No. 160, I. O. O. F., of Monmouth, Illinois.
Mr. Robertson was married July 23, 1878, to Miss Laura E. Bugby,
daughter of Elisha T. and Melvina Bugby. She is a native of Vermont.,
and was born March 7, 1853. They have one child, Ernest A., born
October 8, 1880. Messrs. Cowick & Robertson are men of energy, and
fully alive to the wants and desires of the citizens of Tarkio. They pub-
lish a sheet which is an honor to them.
L. M. ROBERTSON,
farmer and stock raiser, section 16, was born August 3, 1843, in Clay
County, Missouri. His father, A. E. Robertson, was a native of Ten-
nessee, and his mother, whose maiden name was Mary Gross, was a
native of Missouri. They moved to Atchison County in 1849 when L.
M. was about six years old, settling on the bottom south of Rock Port.
It was on this frontier that the subject of this sketch was reared to,man-
hood. He passed his youth on the farm and attended school in the old
log school houses with puncheon floors, slab benches and sod chimney.
He has given his attention to agricultural pursuits through life. In the
spring of 1862 he enlisted in the State Militia and assisted in routing
the bushwhackers out of the lower counties. In 1864 he enlisted in an
independent company of cavalry, made up at Nebraska City. They were
attached to a Minnesota regiment and served on the frontier, fighting
the Sioux, Winnebago and Flat-head Indians. They went through
Montana and up into British America, experiencing some pretty hard
fighting. At the close of the war Mr. R. settled in Atchison County,
on a farm, and has since been engaged in agricultural pursuits. In
February, 1880, he settled where he now resides. He owns 100 acres of
fine land, has a neat residence, a good orchard, etc., his farm being well
watered and well adapted for stock purposes. He has filled the position
of school director some seven years. He was formerly a member of the
Grange. Mr. Robertson was married November 17, 1867, to Miss M. J.
File, a native of Illinois, born September 17, 1848. She was a daughter
of William and Betsy File. They have three children : Samuel R., born
born August 5, 1868 ; Melissa, born April 26, 1871, and1 Carrie B., April
28, 1875. Himself and wife are active members of the Christian Church.
59
930 HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
SCHUYLER ROUSE,
farmer and stock raiser, section 20, an early settler of this township, was
born January 8, 1830, in the town of Rawdorn, Hastings County, Canada.
His father, George C. Rouse, was a native of New York State, and his
mother, Martha Rouse, nee Tompkins, was a Canadian by birth. They
moved to Brown County, Illinois, when Schuyler was about eight years
of age and there he grew to manhood on a farm and received a common
school education. When twenty-one years old he moved to Knox
County, Illinois, where he made his home until 1874. He has given his
entire attention to agricultural pursuits through life. March 1, 1874, he
came west and settled on his present farm. It was then wild prairie
land and he now owns 640 acres, all improved. He has a comfortable
residence, a good barn, grove and small orchard. His place is well
adapted to stock raising, in which he is largely interested. Mr. Rouse
was married June 21, 1864, to Falenia Rowe, a widow with two children.
Her maiden name was Falenia Green, and she was a daughter of Daniel
and Amy Green, born in New York State July 4, 1833. By this union
they have four children : Mary, born March 19, 1866 ; Sheldon, born
April 9, 1872 ; Albert H., born November 11, 1875; Raldon C, born
November n, 1877. Mrs. R.'s children by her former husband are : Amy
Rowe, born December 8, 1850 (now Mrs. Samuel Edwards, of Knox
County, Illinois,); John N. Rowe, born October 8, 1854.
ISAAC SANBORN, Jr.,
manager of the White Pine Lumber Company, was born in Orono,
Penobscot County, Maine, April 4, 1842. His father, Isaac Sanborn,
was a native of New Hampshire, and his mocher, whose maiden name
was Lucy A. Mahoney, was born in Maine. Isaac was the second in a
family of four living children. He was reared at his birth place, and j
received a good business education at Orono High School. He was lit-]
erally brought up to learn the. lumber business. His native village was
a great manufacturing place, and when President Lincoln issued his first
call for troops, the subject of this sketch was among the first to respond.
He enlisted in Company A, Second Maine Infantry, April 23, 1861, and
October 26, 1862, he was transfered to the United States Engineering
Corps, with which he served until the close of the war. He took part in
the battles of First Bull Run, Peninsula Campaign, Second Bull Run,
Antietam, Fredricsburg, Gettysburg, and many others. At the close of
the war he made a trip through Michigan, thence to the oil regions of
Pennsylvania, and from there to the oil regions of West Virginia, where
he remained sorAe eight years, engaged in the oil business, thence to
Richmond, Virginia, in 1873. Here he resided about seven years occu-
TARKIO TOWNSHIP. 93 I
pied in the granite business. He went to Atchison, Kansas, in 1880, and
followed the lumber trade, thence to Kansas City, where he remained a
short time. He came to Tarkio, in February, 1882, and took charge of
the business at this point. This company have a large assortment
of lumber, and one of the largest yards in the county, and Mr. San-
born understands the business thoroughly. He is a live, energetic bus-
iness man. He was married August 3, 1875, to Miss Tilly L. Watt,
daughter of James and Mary (Johnston) Watt, of Latrobe, Pennsylvania.
She was born in that place, September 9, 185 1. They are both active
members of the Presbyterian Church, of Tarkio.
J. F. SCHOENECKE,
of the firm of Schoenecke & Farris, blacksmiths, wagonmakers and
repairers, was born in the village of Cobel, Saxony, Germany, Novem-
ber 20, 1855. His parents, Fredrick and Julia Schoenecke, were natives
of Germany. J. F. was the eldest of five children. He started from
Hamburg with his parents in 1867, for the United States, and landed at
New York City, from whence he immigrated west and settled at Man-
hattan, Riley County, Kansas. There they engaged in farming When
seventeen years of age he commenced to learn the blacksmiths trade at
Manhattan. In the fall of 1876 he came to Rock Port and started a shop
there, and in the fall of 1880 he moved to Tarkio, being among the first
business men here. In February, 1882, he accepted W. W. Farris as a
partner. They have neat shops, and are prepared to do all kinds of
work. They have both had a long experience in the business, and
deserve their success. Mr. Schoenecke is a member of the North Star
Lodge, No. 157, A. F. and A. M., of Rock Port, in which he holds the
position of Junior Deacon. He also belongs to Northwest Lodge No.
134, A. O. U. W., of Rock Port, and Legion No. 12, Select Knights, of
Rock Port. Mr. S. was married February 10, 1879, to Miss Ida Golden,
daughter of William Golden, of Rock Port. She is a native of this
county, born February 15, 1863. Mr. and Mrs. Schoenecke are members
of the M. E. Church, of Tarkio, in which he holds the office of steward
and church trustee. W. W. Farris was born February 19, 1854, in Mar-
shall County, Illinois. He accompanied his parents to Mount Pleasant,
Iowa, in 1868, and then commenced to learn the blacksmith trade,
which he has since followed. Mr. F. was married June 10, 1877, to Miss
Dena May, daughter of D. G. W. May, of Burlington Junction, Missouri.
She is a native of Iowa, and was born February 20, 1861.
STEPHEN SHACKLETON,
farmer and stock raiser, section 1, was born October 13, 1835, in Leeds,
Yorkshire, England. His parents, John (a lawyer by profession) and
932 HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
Mary (Lee) Shackleton, were natives of England. Stephen received
good educational advantages, and when about fifteen he commenced
reading law with his father. After studying some two years he resolved
to come to America. At the close of a seven weeks voyage he landed
at New York on the 17th of August, 1854. From there he went to
Rochester, thence to Bloomington, Illinois, and from there to Keokuk,
Iowa, in 1856. There he remained until i860, after which he located in
Nebraska, where he put in a crop. He subsequently moved to Fremont
County, Iowa. In the fall of 1861 he came to Atchison County, Missouri,
and settled on the Missouri River bottom. On the 6th of July, 1863, he
enlisted in the Fourth Iowa Battery and was in service until the close
of the war, serving with the Fifteenth Corps. He filled the position of
quartermaster sergeant. At the close of the war Mr. S. returned to
Atchison County and settled on what was known as Bloody Island in
July, 1865. With the exception of one year, 1867, he remained on this
island until 1870. In the fall of 1871 he took a trip to England and vis-
ited the home of his childhood, returning in the spring of 1872. In
June, 1873, he settled on the Tarkio, where he now resides. He owns
275 acres in this county, the home farm containing 130 acres, improved
with a neat residence The farm is well watered and is one of the
finest stock farms in this vicinity. He now fills the office of justice of
the peace. He has filled the position of school director some five years.
He is a member of Jerusalem Lodge, No. 253, A. F. & A. M. of Ham-
burg, Iowa, also of Atchison Lodge, No. 220, A. O. U. W. of Tarkio.
Mr. S. was married on the 24th of October, 1857, at Fort Madison,
Iowa, to Miss Susan Waymire, who was born on the 18th of March,
1840, in Independence, Warren County, Indiana. She was a daughter
of Solomon and Betsy (Mason) Waymire. They have had ten children,
six of whom are living : John W., born September 10, 1858 ; George E.,
born July 27, 1868: Harriett E., born October 11, 1870; Stephen M.,
November 9, 1872 ; James F., born February 7, 1877, and Maud M.,
born September 15, 1880. Mrs. S. is a member of the Christian Church.
CHRISTIAN SHAUM,
farmer and stock raiser, section 21. Among the enterprising citizens of
this county is the subject of this sketch. He was born in Northampton
County, Pennsylvania, July 21, 1846. His parents, John and Rebecca L.
Shaum, were natives of Pennsylvania. He spent his boyhood days on
the farm and received his education in the neighborhood schools. He
commenced learning the trade of slate roofing when he arrived atj
maturity, and in 1865 he immigrated west to Linn County, Iowa, where
he engaged in farming, and also followed his trade. He slated the Iowa
additional penitentiary, also the round house and depot at Cedar Rapids
TARKIO TOWNSHIP. 933
and Clinton, Iowa. He came to Atchison County in the spring of 1876
and settled where he now resides. It was then wild prairie land, but he
now owns 320 acres, well improved, and has a nice grove and orchard
and a neat residence. His farm is well watered and is an excellent
stock farm. He is a member of Lisbon Lodge, No. 162, I. O. O. F. and
Mount Harbor Encampment, No. 147, also Bethlehem Lodge, No. 3,
Knights of Pythias, all of Lisbon. Mr. Shaum has been twice married ;
first, September 11, 1873, to Miss Emma Haren, a native of Pennsyl-
vania. She died in December, 1876, and left one child, Hattie May, born
June 22, 1874. He was married again July 21, 1878, to Kate Blessing, a
native of Lynn County, Iowa, born October 21, 185 1. She is a daughter
of Michael and Mary Blessing, who were natives of Indiana. She is a
member of the Presbyterian Church of Tarkio.
JAMES SHOECRAFT,
farmer and stock raiser, section 26, one of the first to settle in this town-
ship, was born April 24, 1826, in Pennfield, Monroe County, New York.
His parents, John and Laura (Brown) Shoecraft, were natives of New
York State. James spent his earlier days on a farm at his birthplace,
and attended the common schools. In 1855, he emigrated to Cold
Water, Branch County, Michigan, where he remained for ten years
engaged in farming. In 1865, he removed to Hardin County, Iowa, and
settled on a farm. In the spring of 1870, he came to Atchison County,
Missouri, with Mr. Reed, and they located on the uncultivated prairie.
The first summer they camped out and broke land, and since that time
Mr. S. has been a stirring citizen of this county. He owns 240 acres of
fine land, and has it well improved. When Tarkio was started in the
fall of 1880, he erected the first livery stable in the place, and conducted
the business one year. He then sold out and moved back on his farm.
He is quite largely interested in stock raising and shipping. Mr. Shoe-
craft has been three times married. First, in 1849, to Miss Emily Daw-
son, a native of New York State, who died in January, 1861, leaving one
child, James, born July 22, 1853. He was married again in the fall of
1861, to Ellen Grove, a native of Michigan. She died soon afterward.
Mr. S. was married the third time, in 1862, to Miss Adda Glass, who
was born in Madison County, Ohio, on the 23d of February, 1839. By
this union they have one child, Minnie M., born November 27, 1866.
ABNER SMITH,
farmer and stock raiser, section 16, a pioneer of Northwest Missouri, was
born June 26, 1835, in Overton County, Tennessee. His father, George
N. Smith, was a native of Kentucky, and his mother, formerly Nancy
934 HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
Carpenter, was born in Jackson County, Tennessee. When about eight
years of age, Abner accompanied his parents to Cass County, Illinois,
where he was principally reared, receiving a common school education.
In 1852, they moved to Atchison County, Missouri, and settled on the
Missouri River bottom. Abner commenced working for Richard Case,
who kept a hotel at Linden, and in the fall of 1853, he began driving
stage for him between Linden and Sharps. In May, 1854, he abandoned
this occupation and broke prairie. He has since given his attention to
agricultural pursuits. When the war broke out he joined the Enrolled
Missouri Militia, and in July, 1864, he enlisted in Company I, Forty-
third Missouri Infantry, and served on the frontier. At the close of the
war he again settled on the bottom, and engaged in farming. He located
where he now resides, March 3, 1875. He owns a fine farm of 126 acres,
most of which is under cultivation. He has a good orchard. His farm
is well adapted for stock purposes. He has filled the position of school
director and road overseer. Mr. Smith was married July 1, 1854, to Miss
Ersley J. Boull, a native of Clarke County, Missouri. She was born
March 16, 1837, and is a daughter of Mathias and Mary Boull. She
was principally raised in Platte County, Missouri. They have eight
children : Ellen, born September 4, 1856, (now Mrs. George Jackson, of
this county) ; Nancy J., born April 21, 1859, (now Mrs. Elizabeth Payne,
of this county) ; Thomas, (deceased) ; Isadore, born July 14, 1861, (now
Mrs. Joseph Jackson, of this county) ; William F., born May 18, 1863 ;
Matilda, born April 21, 1865 ; Laura, born July 2, 1867 ; Clara, born Feb-
ruary 16, [870 ; Tuller, born January 1, 1873, and Minnie, born Novem-
ber 17, 1879. Himself and wife are members of the Free Will Baptist
Church.
RICHARD STAFFORD,
farmer and stock raiser, section 7, was born March 25, 1836, in County
Kavan, Ireland. His parents, John and Anna Stafford, were of Eng-
lish-Irish origin. They were born on the Emerald Isle. Richard was
the fourth child in a family of eight children. He remained at his birth-
place until seventeen years of age, when he crossed the ocean, landing
at New York City. From there he went to Connecticut, thence to Ken-
tucky, and finally to Indiana. Illinois then became his home, he set-
tling in Knox County. There he remained two years, after which he
moved to Southern Kansas, locating in Bourbon County, where he was
engaged in the cattle business. He came to Atchison County, Missouri,
in the spring of 1870, and purchased section 7, township 65, range 38.
He improved it, and now owns 960 acres of fine land, well improved, with
a neat residence, a good barn, an excellent orchard, etc. He commenced
life a poor boy, and has worked his own way through life and been a
self-made man. He helped to build a $700 schoolhouse when there were
TARKIO TOWNSHIP. 935
but three voters in the district. Mr. Stafford has been twice married.
First, January 6, 1864, to Elizabeth C. Wilson, a daughter of Thomas S.
and Mary Wilson. She died November 6, 1864, and left two children,
(twins) Mary E. and Anna, now deceased, born October 30, 1864. He
was married again December 5, 1865. to Miss Phebe Ann Wilson, a sis-
ter of his former wife. She was born September 17, 1844, in Benning-
ton, Erie County, Ohio. By this union they have four children : Ida
C, born August 1, 1867 ; Thomas C, born October 20, 1870; John R.,
born December 6, 1874, and Frank M., born March ?,' 1877.
R. M. STEVENSON,
is of the firm of Rankin & Stevenson, bankers. Prominent among the
energetic and leading men of Northwest Missouri, is the subject of this
sketch, who is worthy of more than a passing notice. He was born on
the 27th of February, 185 1, in Monmouth, Illinois. He was reared in his
native village, obtaining his education at Monmouth College. In 1870,
he accepted employment in the First National Bank of Monmouth, Illi-
nois, and in 1876, became assistant cashier. He came to Tarkio in May,
1881, and assisted in organizing the bank at this place. Mr. S. owns a
share of the stock and holds the position of cashier. He is a keen-
sighted and shrewd business man, and his long experience in the busi-
ness has given him a thorough knowledge of it. His gentlemanly
manners have won for him the esteem of a large circle of friends. He
was married September 3, 1874, to Miss Nina B. Bower, a native of
Monmouth, Illinois, born February [5, 1854. She is a daughter of James
and Susan Bower. By this union they have one child, Charlotte B., born
January 31, 1882. Himself and wife are members of the United Presby-
terian Church.
SOLOMON THOMPSON,
farmer and stock raiser, section 21, one of the first to settle in this town-
ship, is the son of Andrew and Margaret Thompson, nee Wilson, who
were natives of Ireland. Solomon was the second child in a family of
six children, and was born May 26, 1821, in Ireland. He was brought to
the United States, when a child, by his parents, they settling in Alle-
gheny County, Pennsylvania, where he was brought up on a farm. He
received a common school education, and in 1865 immigrated west to
Cedar County, Iowa, there remaining six years, thence to Atchison
County, Missouri, arriving here April 28, 1872. Mr. T. at once settled
where he now resides and commenced to improve a fine farm. He owns
162 acres of cultivated land, has a nice grove, good orchard, etc. His
farm, is well adapted to stock raising. Mr. Thompson was married Feb-
ruary 28, 1848, to Miss Jane Guthrie, a native of Westmoreland County,
936 HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
Pennsylvania. She died September 17, 1876. He has five children :
William S., born November 27, 1850 ; Samuel, born November 9, 1856 ;
Anthony, born February 4, 1859; Isaiah, born June 4, 1861 ; Mary C,
born December 12, 1865.
JACOB TROUT,
farmer and stock raiser, section 24, was born October 19, 1823, in Perry
County, Ohio. His father, Hall Trout, was a native of Virginia, while
his mother, Mary (Atkins) Trout was born in Ohio. When Jacob was
twelve years of age he accompanied them to Hocking County, Ohio,
where he was reared, passing his youth on the farm and receiving a
common school education. During the war he served for 100 days in
Company A, One Hundred and Fiftieth National Volunteer Guards, and
guarded Washington. These guards were made up after Morgan made
his raid through Ohio, for home protection and were called into active ser-
vice. Mr. T. came west and settled in Atchison County, in the spring of
1866. In 1869, he located where he now resides. He owns 240 acres of
improved land, watered and well adapted to stock raising. He has a
neat residence, a good barn, etc. He has filled the position of school direc-
tor and road overseer. He is a member of the Ancient Odd Fellows. Mr.
Trout was married February 19, 1850, to Miss Elizabeth Crawford, a
native of Coshocton County, Ohio, born October 31, 183 1. She was a
daughter of James and Ursula Crawford. They have five children liv-
ing: Mary E., born March 6, 185 1, (now Mrs. W. S. Wood, of this
county); Ursula, born November 29, 1854, (now Mrs. Maitland Brown,
of Kansas); Hannah J., born July 30, 1852, (now Mrs. Philipp Dragoo,
of this county); James C, born August 7, 1859 > Noah C, born October
14, 1861. Two are deceased. They are members of the M. E. Church of
Tarkio, in which he holds the position of trustee.
N. B. VANLANDINGHAM,
farmer and stock raiser, section 12, was born March 23, 1840, in Bath
County, Kentucky. His parents, Manly B. and Sarah (Grey) Vanland-
ingham, were both natives of Kentucky. When about eight years of
age, the subject of this sketch accompanied them to Brown County Ohio,
and there he spent his boyhood days on a farm, and received an educa-
tion in the neighborhood schools. He has given his attention to agri-
cultural pursuits through life. He made a trip west to the Missouri
River, in 1866, and again in 1869. In 1874, he moved here and settled
on the bottoms below Phelps, and in the spring of 1875, he located where
he now resides. He has a farm of ninety acres, well improved, a com-
fortable residence, with a fine view of Tarkio, one mile distant. He has a
good orchard of some two hundred bearing trees. He at present fills
TARKIO TOWNSHIP. 937
«
the position of school director, and has been road overseer. He is a mem-
ber of Atchison Lodge No. 220, A. O. U. W., in which he holds the posi-
tion of Guide. ' He is also a member of the Masonic and Odd Fellow fra-
ternities. Mr. V. has been twice married ; first, in 1861, to Miss Sarah
Pettyjohn, a native of Brown County, Ohio. She died February 24, 1865,
leaving two children, one of whom is now living, Moses, born January
19, 1863. He was married again April 17, 1870, to Miss Eliza J. Grey, a
native of Brown County, Ohio, and a daughter of John and Lucinda Grey.
They have had four children, one of whom is now living, Lilly O., born
January 6, 1880.
WILLIAM H. VAN LEUVEN,
farmer and stock raiser, section 2. He was born May 13, 1828, at East
Lober, Canada, and was the son of John and Fannie A. i DraferJ Van
Leuven, natives of Canada. William left his birthplace when quite
small with his parents, who located near Kirtland, Ohio, in 1836, moving
to Pike County, Illinois, in 1839. After remaining there eleven years,
they came to Atchison County, Missouri, in the spring of 1850, and set-
tled at Linden. From there they went to Irish Grove, thence to the
Tarkio River. William was brought up as a farmer, and when fourteen
years old, he commenced to work with his father at the carpenter trade.
He followed this business until some twenty-four years of age. During
the war he served in the Enrolled Missouri Militia. He has always been
an enterprising citizen, and aided in all public enterprises. He has filled
the positions of justice of the peace, constable, school director, etc.
During the war he was a member of the Union League. He now belongs
to Rock Port Lodge No. 157, A. F. and A. M., also of the Masonic Ben-
efit Society, of St. Louis. He owns a fine farm of 390 acres, well
improved, comfortable residence, two good orchards, etc. Mr. Van
Leuven operated a threshing machine ten years, and also ran a saw mill
and built bridges two years. He was married March 25, 1850, to Miss
Amy E. Gard, a native of Brown County, Ohio, and a daughter of Lud-
ley and Sophia Gard, of that place. She was born August 17, 1836.
They have had nine children, seven of whom are living: Lydia M.,born
June 6, 1853, (now Mrs. James C. Golden, of Tarkio) ; Anson F., born
July 11, 1855 ; Willie M., born July 28, 1857 > Frank A., born October 3,
1859 ; Charles R., born April 21, 1870 ; Minnie A., born October 19, 1872 ;
Eugene C, born April 22, 1877. Mr. Van Le.uven is one of the oldest
pioneers of Atchison County. His father was born August 10, 1802, and
is now living with him. He seems quite bright and vigorous for a man
of his years.
COLONEL SOLOMON WAIT,
farmer and stock raiser, section 25, was born on December 24, 1802, in
Chenango County, New York. His parents, Solomon and Lucy (Wells)
938 HISTORY OV ATCHISON COUNTY.
Wait, were natives of Massachusetts. Solomon was reared on a farm
and received a common school education. In 1842 he emigrated to La
Salle County, Illinois, remained there one year, then moved to Chicago
and was engaged in the retail lumber trade. Chicago was then a small
place, and in the spring of 1850 he sold out and returned to New York,
where he purchased the old homestead and built a fine residence. Here
he continued to live for some twelve years. In 1862 he purchased a
farm in La Salle County, Illinois, and remained on the farm until 1869,
when he moved to Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, and thence to Atchison County,
Missouri, in 1873, locating where he now resides. He owns a section
(640 acres) of land and has it well improved with a neat residence, good
barn, orchard, etc. While he was a young man in New York State he
belonged to the militia and held a colonel's commission. Colonel Wait
has been twice married, first, in 1832 to Miss Abigail Throop, a native
of New York State. She died at Chicago in 1849, leaving one child,
James E., born in 1845. He was married again in March, 1852, to Miss
Amelia D. Greenley, daughter of Thomas and Lucy Greenley. She was
born October 31, 1821, on Long Island. They have three children:
Charles T., born July 15, 1856; Frederick G., born June I, 1858, and
Amelia, born July 15, 1853, (now Mrs. Samuel C. Osborn, of Kansas
City, Missouri).
ADELBERT A. WARNER,
farmer and stock raiser, section 27, post office at Tarkio, was born July I
8, 1846, in Oswego County, New York. His father, Andrew F. Warner,
was born in Oneida County, New York, and his mother, formerly Mary
Green, was also a native of New York State. Adelbert was reared on
the farm and received good educational advantages. He first attended
the common schools and then entered an academy and was afterwards
a student at Eastman's National Business College, at Poughkeepsie, New
York. He was graduated from that institution October 3, 1867. His
father represented his district in the New York Legislature three terms, •
two in the House and one in the Senate. In 1863 he was appointed
Colonel of the One Hundredth and Forty-seventh New York Infantry, I
and Adelbert went to the field with the regiment, as sutler's clerk. As
soon as he became old enough he enlisted in Company E, One Hundredth
and Eighty-ninth New York Infantry, in the spring of 1864. They
served with the Second Brigade, First Division, Fifth Army Corps. They
took part in the battles of Five Forks and Appomattox, and his division
received the arms of the Confederates. They participated in the grand
review at Washington. At the close of the war Mr. Warner returned to
his old home and completed his education. He has been engaged in
various occupations through life, trading, farming, etc. He settled in
Atchison County in 1870 and has since made this his home. He moved
TARKIO TOWNSHIP. 939
upon his present farm in 1873 and now owns 160 acres of improved land.
He was married November 5, 1867, to Miss Henrietta C. Bittinger,
daughter of Daniel and Ann Bittinger. She is a native of Oswego County,
New York. They have two children : Mary A., born December 30, 1868 ;
Lillian B., born July 8. 1871.
WESLEY D. WHEELER,
farmer and stock raiser, section 33, was born in Muskingum, County,
Ohio, April 19, 1848, and is the son of Wesley D. and Mary A. (Haw-
kins) Wheeler, who were natives of Virginia. When nine years of age
"he accompanied his parents to McDonough County, Illinois, where he
was reared to manhood. He spent his boyhood days on the farm, and
received a common schood education. In 1872 he immigrated to Page
County, Iowa, coming to Atchison County in the spring of 1875. He
then settled where he now resides, and at present owns 480 acres in his
home farm, and 320 acres in Nodaway County. He has a neat residence,
good barn, young orchard, etc. Mr. Wheeler has given his attention to
his business during life, and has met with good success. He was mar-
ried December 10, 1874, to Miss Louisa J. Green, daughter of George
W. and Mary Green. She was born in Fulton County, Illinois, Septem-
ber 16, 1848. They have had four children, only one of whom is now
living, Minnie M., born October 13, 1877.
LEWIS E. WHITE,
farmer and stock raiser, section 22, was born September 7, 1845, in Ash-
tabula County, Ohio. His parents, Emery and Lucy L. (Wood) White,
•were also natives of Ashtabula County, Ohio. Lewis was the eldest of
"five children. He went with his family to Ogle County, Illinois, when
about eight years of age, where he remained some two years ; thence to
Linn County, Iowa, and here he was reared on the farm, receiving a
•common school education. In the spring of 1864, when only eighteen
years of age, he enlisted in Company H, Twentieth Iowa Infantry, and
and served until the close of the war. He was mustered out in August,
1865. He took part in the siege of Fort Morgan, in the rear of Mobile,
and many minor engagements. After the war he settled in Linn
County, Iowa, where he resided four years. Mr. White subsequently
took a trip through the west, visiting Kansas, the Indian Territory,
Arkansas and Missouri. He finally settled in Page County, Iowa, and
after remaining there something over five years he came to Atchison
County, Missouri, and settled on his present farm. It was then all wild
land, and he purchased 320 acres for $8 per acre. He now has a neat,
•comfortable residence, good orchard, etc. He has several head of graded
94° HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
stock. Mr. W. was married September 15, 1870, to Miss Lizzie Snyder,
a native of Fayette County, Pennsylvania, and a daughter of Stephen
W. and Phebe Snyder, of Pennsylvania. She was reared and educated
at her birthplace. They have two children : Walter W., born Septem-
ber 17, 1875, ar,d Leola B., born August 2, 1878. Mr. VV. was formerly a
member of the Free Will Baptist Church.
EDWARD WISHERD,
farmer and stock raiser, section 4, was born November 8, 1825, in Frank-
lin County, Pennsylvania. His parents, John and Elizabeth (Coal)
Wisherd, were natives of Pennsylvania. Edward was reared to man-
hood at his birthplace, spending his boyhood days on a farm and receiv-
ing a common school education. Upon arriving at maturity, he moved
to Washington County, Maryland, and engaged in farming. In 1854,
he immigrated west and settled at Canton, Fulton County, Illinois, and
in 1869, he moved to Bushnell, McDonough County, Illinois. He came
to Atchison County, Missouri, in the spring of 1879, and settled with his
son, John A. Wisherd. Mr. W. was married February 26, 1850, to Miss
Amanda A. Smith, a native of Washington County, Maryland, daughter
of Samuel and Mary Smith. They have been blessed with six children,
five of whom are living: John A., born January 8, 185 1 ; Samuel O.,
born July 14, 1853 ; Mary E., born January 6, 1856, (now Mrs. Hally
Hendricks, of Atchison County); William H., born June 28, 1858 ;
Mariah V., September 16,1859. Lost one, Martha. Himself and wife
are members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church. The eldest son, John
A. Wisherd, owns some 2,480 acres of improved land in this county, and
is largely interested in stock raising and feeding. He is a citizen well
respected in this community.
W. S. WOOD,
farmer and stock raiser, section 24, was born in Brown County, Ohio, on
the 31st of July, 1844. His parents, Jonathan H. and Harriett A.
(Summers) Wood, were natives of Ohio. They moved to Adams
County, that state, in 1850. There the subject of this sketch was
reared to manhood on the farm. He received the benefits of a common
school education. On September 1, 1862, he enlisted in Company F,
Seventh Ohio Cavalry, and was mustered out July 1, 1865. He took part
in the battles of Somerset, Kentucky ; Knoxville, Tennessee, and was
through the entire Atlanta campaign. Returning with General Thomas,
he took part in the battles of Nashville, Franklin, Duck River and
many others, serving in thirty-two battles and skirmishes. In the
spring of 1865 he went with the First Cavalry Corps, under General
TARKIO TOWNSHIP. 94 1
Wilson, on a raid through Alabama and through to Macon, Georgia.
He assisted in capturing Jeff. Davis. At the close of the war he came
west and settled in Atchison County on the Missouri River bottom. In
1869 he located where he now resides. It was then all prairie land, but
he has improved a fine farm of 240 acres, and upon it is a neat resi-
dence. He fills the positions of school director and road overseer at
present. Mr. Wood was married December 9, 1867, to Miss Mary E.
Trout, a daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth Trout of this township. She
was born in Hocking County, Ohio, March 6, 185 1. They have four
children. Eliza Bell, born June 16, 1871 ; Frederick N., born Septem-
ber 17, 1873 ; George L., born September 4, 1875, and Jonathan E., born
January 20, 1 880. Lost one. Mrs. Wood is a member of the M. E.
Church.
JOHN WOOLSEY,
farmer and stock raiser, section 8, an enterprising citizen of this county,
was born August 22, 1845, in Livingston County, Missouri, and was the
son of Giles and Rachel (Hobbs) Woolsey, who were natives of Tennes-
see. There were eight children in his father's family, the last two being
twins. John was one of the twins. He spent his boyhood days on the
farm, and received a common school education. His parents died while
he was young, and he was raised an orphan. In 1859, he came to Atch-
ison County, and settled five miles south of Hamburg, Iowa. In the
spring of 1863, he enlisted in Company K, First Nebraska, and served
some three years, or until the close of the war, acting on the frontier in
Missouri, Arkansas and Kansas. At the close of the war, Mr. W. located
at Rock Port, where he remained until 1869. He then came upon his
present farm. He owns 240 acres, has a fine residence, etc. He is a
hard working, industrious citizen, and one that attends to his own busi-
ness. Mr. Woolsey was married July 28, 1870, to Miss Rachel E. McKee,
daughter of George and Nancy McKee. She was born April 19, 1855, in
Atchison County, Missouri. They have three children : Alvin, born
December 5, 1872; Minnie J., born February 16, 1877, and Bertha M.,
born April 14, 1880. Lost three. Mrs. Woolsey is a member of the
Winevanarian Church.
CHAPTER XVII.
TEMPLETON TOWNSHIP.
ORGANIZATION AND BOUNDARY-PHYSICAL ASPECT— BRIDGES— EARLY SETTLERS— MILLS
— ChUKCHES-PHELPS CITY— CHURCHES— SCHOOL-— BANKS— DEPOTS-SECRET OR- j
DERS-NEWSPAPERS— BUSINESS DIRECTORY— INCORPORATION OF PHELPS CITY-
SCOTT CITY— KALAMAZOO -LANGDON POST OFFICE— BIOGRAPHICAL.
Templeton Township was organized February 22, 1870, as follows:]
" Ordered that a strip of territory three miles wide be stricken off
from Benton Township, and a strip of territory three miles wide be
stricken off from the south end of Nishnebotna Township, in said county,
and that the territory thus detached be erected into a township to be
known and designated as Templeton Township, said township to be
bounded as follows, to wit : Commencing at the southwest corner of
fractional section 15, in township 64, of range 42, thence east to the
Nishnebotna River, thence up said river with the meanderings thereof,
to a point where the north line of sections 21, 22, 23 and 24, in township
65, of range 42, would strike said river, thence west on the north line of
the sections aforesaid, to the Missouri River, thence down the same to
the place of beginning."
Templeton Township is thus bounded on the north, in a distance of
about three and a half miles by Nishnebotna Township, on the east by
Clay Township, from which it is separated by the Nishnebotna River ;
on the south by Benton Township, in a distance of three miles, and on
the west by the State of Nebraska, from which it is separated by the
Missouri River.
PHYSICAL ASPECT.
The entire area of Templeton Township, being embraced in the ter-
ritory included between the Nishnebotna and Missouri Rivers, is bottom
land, and, with the exception of a small grove in the northwest corner
of the same, including not more than eighty or ninety acres, and a strip
of timber three and a half miles long and about one mile wide, in the
western part of the township, on the Missouri River border, the whole is
prairie. This latter grove occupies portions of section 28, 29, 32 and 33,
of township 65, range 42, and also of sections 3 and 4, of township* 64,
range 42. A considerable portion of this territory has disappeared by
the caving of the Missouri River banks.
TEMFLETON TOWNSHIP. 943
BRIDGES.
Three bridges cross the Nishnebotna River from Templeton Town-
ship. Shandy's Bridge, in section 24, township 65, range 42 ; Colvin
Bridge, in the northeast quarter of section 31, township 65, range 42, and
Hughes' Bridge, in section 30, township 65, range 40.
EARLY SETTLERS.
Among the first to settle in Templeton Township was George Har-
mon, from Illinois, who now resides at Tecumseh, Nebraska. Jackson
Hauley was also from Illinois, and emigrated west in 1840, locating in
the same township, on the place where B. M. Bailey now lives. William
Fraisher came in the fall of 1845, and settled where he now lives, on the
bank of the Missouri River. William Carman, a native of Tennessee,
came about the year 1848, and was soon afterwards killed at a barn-
raising at William Fraisher's, above named. Watt and Baker Richard-
son, were also among the pioneers. They were from Illinois. Bennett
King, from Kentucky, and Hugh L. Davis, from Tennessee, settled in the
same township about two miles north of Phelps City, in the northeast
corner of the township. After these came J. W. Shandy, who located
here, in the northeast corner of the township, in 1853. He was from
Dubois County, Indiana. About the same time came Zachariah Woods,
Elias Proudfit and Levi Athens, who were also Indianians. Lem-
uel Plasters and James Cook were from Illinois ; Elias Cook was
also from Illinois, and located at Cook's Landing, on the Mis-
souri River. William Myers located about one mile west of the
present town site of Phelps City, from Illinois. Jacob Shandy set-
tled on the Nishnebotna River, in 1853, in the northeast part of the
township, and near him located Robert C. Chambers, both of whom were
from Dubois County, Indiana. John, James and Tobe Handley were
early settlers, the time of their arrival being from 1850 to 1855. Henry
S. Hill, who now resides two miles west of Phelps City, came from War-
ren County, Kentucky, quite early. He was at one time one of the county
court judges of Atchison County, having filled that position from 1850 to
1852, and while the courts were held at the first county seat — Linden.
Judge Hill resigned after having served the county faithfully for about
two years, and has since been engaged in farming. Margaret Scott was
also an early settler, and owned the land upon which the town of Scott
City was laid out.
MILLS.
The first saw mills erected in Templeton Township, were put up in
the winter of 1856, by McGee & Berry, and Muir & Hoadley. McGee &
944
HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
Berry operated theirs on the bank of the Missouri River, at Cook's
Landing. Muir & Hoadley operated their mill near Scott City. These
mills were run from three to five years. There are no grist mills in the
township, and have never been any.
CHURCHES.
The first church edifice put up in the township, was built at Scott
City, in 1867, by the Methodists. The first minister to officiate in its
pulpit, was the Rev. H. G. Breed.
PHELPS CITY.
The town of Phelps City (generally called Phelps) was laid out in
the month of August, 1868, by Philip A. Thompson, Willis Phelps and
Richard Buckham, on sections 35 and 36, township 65, range 42. It is
located on the line of the Kansas City, St. Joseph and Council Bluffs
Railroad, in Templeton Township, about three miles from the Missouri
River and six miles from Rock Port, the county seat. The town site is!
perfectly level, as is also the country surrounding it in every direction,
being, as it is, a part of the Missouri bottom. During the high water of
188 1 the town was entirely under water and there were but a few points
of dry land anywhere to be found in the township. The census of 1880
gives the population as 301, which is greatly in excess of the population
at the present time (1882), the number, probably, not being more than 200.
F. M. Thompson built the first business house in the town in 1867
and was the first postmaster. Jacob Shandy and J. Bostwick built the
next houses. Ambrose Porter was among the early settlers. The first
business houses were put up by F. M. Thompson and John D. Dopf,
the latter building an office, preparatory to publishing the Phelps City
Record. Clint Casler put up the first saloon in 1867. Wyatt, McNeale
& Cross, first lumber merchants in 1867; Jacob Shandy, first family
grocery in 1867.
CHURCHES.
About the time, or soon after, Phelps was started a church edifice
(frame) was erected by the Methodists, Christians and Presbyterians
and used by these denominations as a union church. It was finally
sold about the year 1872 and has since been used as a school house,
public school being at this time taught in it. Among the early minis-
ters who labored in its pulpit were the Rev. S. W. Thornton, Methodist,
and Elders John H. Parker and Richard Buckham, Christian preachers.
The M. E. Church (frame) was built in 1879. The minister officiat-
ing at the organization of the church was the Rev. D. B. Lake, who is at
present stationed at Rock Port. Among the original members of this
TEMPLETON TOWNSHIP. 945
church at Phelps were Mrs. F. M. Thompson and daughter, James
M. Scammon and lady, Mr. and Mrs. W. L. Shaw and others. James A.
Showalter, H. C. Langly and Homer Davidson have been the ministers
in charge, Mr. Davidson being the present minister. Present member-
ship about thirty-five.
The Catholics erected a frame church edifice, in Phelps in 1879.
The priest officiating at the time of its completion was Father Welch,
from near Cleveland, Ohio. Those succeeding him were Fathers Han-
ley, Torney, Shey and F. C. Becker, the latter now having' charge.
SCHOOLS.
The pioneer school teacher of the town was Miss Jennie Spooner,
who came originally from Illinois, but from Nebraska to Phelps, in the
winter of 1868. S. A. Osborn succeeded Miss Spooner and taught the
school when Phelps was under the control of the township organiza-
tion. The teachers in the public school since Osborn's time have been :
A. S. Whetstone,* 1874; H. A. Austin, 1875; J. L. Coleman, 1875;
George F. Bixby, 1876; Leonard McDonald, 1876; Dougal McCall,
1876 ; J. M. Hoover, 1877 ; G. W. Field, 1877 ; F. M. Joslyn, 1878 ; C. A.
Pike, 1880; Asa Vanse, 1882.
The first school board was composed of F. M. Thompson, president ;
I. N. White, clerk ; John H. Parker, member.
Present board — A. Behrendsen, president ; H. L. Boesenberg, clerk ;
A. A. Tayman, member.
There are between fifty and sixty pupils. Beside the school in the
town, there are eight schools in the township, and all are in a prosperous
condition.
BANKS.
About the year 1875, a bank was established in Phelps, the firm
being composed of F. M. and P. A. Thompson and A. E. Wyatt, and
conducted under the name and style of Thompson, Wyatt & Co.
DEPOTS.
There have been two depot buildings in Phelps. The first one, built
in 1867-8, burned in June, 1879. The present depot was built in July
and August, 1879. W. L. Shaw is the agent, and Ambrose Porter deliv-
ery clerk.
SECRET SOCIETIES.
The only secret organization which ever had an existence in Phelps,
was Zerubbabel Royal Arch Chapter No. 59, which discontinued its
labors at Phelps January 12, 188 1, and thereafter moved to Rock Port,
60
946 HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
an account of which will be found elsewhere in this book, and a lodge
of Good Templars, which was organized about the year 1880, and
ceased to exist in 1881.
NEWSPAPERS.
The only newspaper ever published in Phelps, was the Phelps City
Record, a weekly paper, edited by John D. Dopf. The first number was
issued September T2, 1868, and continued only for about four months.
It was a seven column folio, Republican in politics.
BUSINESS DIRECTORY.
Adams, Harriet, restaurant. McCreary, N. B., hardware and
Behrendsen, Andy, saloon. postmaster.
Bunting, William, livery. Miles, L. J., attorney at law.
Calvert, W. M., physician and sur- Rickard, C. H., justice of the peace.
geon. • Boesenberg & Giannini, general
Eilers, John, J., groceries. merchandise.
Hindenach, George, blacksmith. Boesenberg, butcher.
Hughes, J. C., physician and sur- Scammon & Bailey, general mer-
geon. chandise.
Kimball, John F., hotel. Wade, James, drugs.
INCORPORATION OF PHELPS CITY.
On May 18, 1874, Phelps City was incorporated as follows :
" Now here, at this day, comes I. N. White, Paddy Mullens, W. R.1
Simms, George Hindenach, Charles H. Rickard, D. M. Shandy, R. A.
Tyner, Christian Heisner, Jacob Shandy, T. H. Shandy, E. C. Smith, A.
S. Williams, N. B. McCleray, A. A. Tayman, Ambrose Porter, John
Mauery, I. N. Pryne, John Eilers, James O'Pelt, J. C. Hope, Thomas
Glynn, J. K. Tift, W. G. Bartholomew, J. V. E. O'Pelt, P. A. Thompson,
George Crist, F. M.Thompson, James McLean, John Yates, S. E. Curess
and P. W. Furlong, inhabitants of the town of Phelps, in the county of
Atchison and state of Missouri, and present their petition to the court,
praying that they may be incorporated and a police established for their
local government, and for the preservation and regulation of any com-
mons appertaining to said town, and also setting forth the metes and
bounds of said town ; and the court being satisfied that two-thirds of the
taxable inhabitants of said town have signed said petition, and that the
prayer of said petitioners is reasonable, it is therefore declared by the
court that said town be incorporated, and such incorporation shall embrace
the following boundaries, to wit : All of the southwest quarter of section
36, all of the southeast quarter of section 35, known as Cass addition to said
town of Phelps, and a strip off said quarter section 300 feet in width off of
the south side of said quarter section lying west of the Kansas City, St.
Joseph and Council Bluffs Railroad track, all in township 65, of range 42 ;
and the court appoints the following named persons to constitute the
TEMPLETON TOWNSHIP. 94;
board of trustees for said town, until the annual election for said board.
to wit : William G. Bartholomew, John C. Hope, Isaac N. White, E. C,
Smith and Charles H. Rickard.
SCOTT CITY
is located two miles west of Phelps City, on the banks of the Missouri
River, in section 33. It was laid out in 1856, by Margaret Scott, from
Illinois, who is still living, opposite the town of Brownville, Nebraska.
Margaret Scott built the first house in the place previous to 1850. D. C.
Billings was the first merchant, Jacob Bruner the first saloon keeper.
R. V. Mure was also an early merchant, and the keeper of a warehouse
at Rock Port Landing, below the town. J. K. Tift was the first and last
attorney to reside in the place. The post office at this place was called
North Star, W. H. Hillman, postmaster.
KALAMAZOO,
an addition to Scott City, was laid out in 1865, by Stephen M. Barnes.
Flack Watson built the only grist and saw mill in Kalamazoo. Fraisher
& McGee were in general merchandise, half a mile north of Scott City.
Scott City and Kalamazoo are now numbered with the things of the
past, having gone into the Missouri River with the treacherous banks
upon which they stood.
LANGDON POST OFFICE
was established in 1880, on the farm of Colonel P. A. Thompson, three
miles south by east of Phelps City, and on the west bank of the Nishne-
botna River. The prominent feature of the locality is the elegant two-
story brick mansion of Colonel Thompson, completed in 1870, at a cost
of $13,000. It is the most spacious and elegant residence in the county.
The main building is forty feet square, and the L 22x24. The handsome
lawn and surroundings are in harmony with the general appearance of
the building, and bespeak a cultivated taste. A few hundred yards
below the lawn is the large and well stocked general store of Thompson
& Ruland, in which the post office has been kept by L. H. Ruland, the
junior member of the firm, ever since its establishment, in 1880. There
is, besides, in the place a blacksmith shop, owned by Colonel Thompson,
and operated by A. J. Fox. A grain elevator with a capacity of thirty
thousand bushels is being completed, at this point, by Thompson &
Ruland. Finney, Williams & Co. are establishing a lumber yard in the
place. The stock yards at Langdon, constructed by the Kansas City,
St. Joseph and Council Bluffs Railroad Company, are said to be the best
on the entire length of the road. Indications present the promise here
of a future business point of no inconsiderable importance.
948 HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
^BIOGRAPHICAL:
ALEXANDER HANSON BAILEY,
is a heavy dealer in agricultural implements, furniture, stoves and gene-
ral merchandise. He was the son of Marion L. and Harriett (Williams)
Bailey, the former of East Tennessee, and was born in Greene County,
East Tennessee, September 14, 1848. He was raised on a farm, atten-
ded the common schools, and for two years was a student at the Green-
ville College. He then taught school for three terms. In 1872, he came
to this county with $150 in money, and rented a farm, which he con-
ducted for six years. In 1875, he formed a partnership with J. M. Scam-
mon, in the mercantile business in Phelps City, still having charge of the
farm. Few firms have the confidence of the community to a greater
degree, and very few deserve it more. They are accommodating and have
succeeded in building up a large and profitable business. They are!
quite extensively interested in dealing in and shipping grain and stock.
Mr. Bailey has been twice married. His first wife was Miss Carrie G. C.
Reed, daughter of William and Eliza Reed, of East Tennessee. She
died February 9, 1878. He was married again to Miss Mary A. Bar-
tholomew, of this county, in November, 1879. They have two children,
James A. Garfield, born November 8, 1880, and Sarah Roxey. In poli-
tics Mr. B. is a Republican, and religiously a Methodist.
ANDREW BEHRENDSEN
was born in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, May 2, 1842. He had excel-
lent opportunities for an education, and in youth thoroughly learned the
mason's trade, which has been his life business. In February, 1872, he
emigrated to this country and settled in Chicago, where he worked at
his trade. In the winter of 1875 he came to this city and has since been
the regular brickmason and plasterer of this vicinity. He has built
nearly all the buildings in Watson. In 1880 he gave up that industry
and started a saloon, and is now conducting the only one in the city,
he having bought out Mr. Eiler's interest. Mr. B. has a peculiar faculty
for this business, keeps an orderly house, and in connection with his
saloon runs a good billiard room. Though Mr. B. came to this country
a poor boy, he has worked his way up, and now has a fine house and
lot, well furnished, and considerable town property. He married Miss
Dorethea Nisson, in Germany, in 1867. They have nine children:
Andrew. Theodore J., Elena Louisa, Frederick, Emma, Helene Maria,
TEMPLETON TOWNSHIP. 949
Margaret, Dorothea, and an infant. Lost two in infancy. In politics he
is a Democrat, and in religion a Lutheran. He has always been elected
to fill either the school, city or township offices, and is greatly interested
in education.
GEORGE FAVOUR BIXBY,
farmer, is the owner of 126 acres of land and resides on section 3. He
was born in North Haverhill, Grafton County, New Hampshire, Octo-
ber 2, 1828. His father, George Bixby, born in Salem, Massachusetts,
was a farmer by occupation, and his mother, formerly Sabina Morrill,
was a native of New Chester, Massachusetts. George's youth was
spent at school and on a farm. In September, 1856, he moved to this
state and county. He graduated from the institution at College Hill,
Hamiliton County, Ohio, and was school commissioner here in i858-'59,
and superintendent of schools from 1872 to 1875. He is a Republican
in politics and religiously a Methodist. Mr. Bixby married Miss
Bertha J. Hendrickson, daughter of Elza C. and Mary E. Hendrickson,
September 29, 1868. They have three children : Elsie S., ten years
old ; Samuel M., five years old, and Charles Rutlege, three years old.
In 1867 Mr. Bixby engaged in the dry goods business at Scott City,
then a thriving village, with R. V. Muir. In 1858-59 and '60 he was
engaged in teaching school. In 1872 he, as above stated, was elected
superintendent of public schools and held this important position for
four years. He taught his first school in the fall and winter of 1856-57
in Atchison County at the Harmon & Fiaisher's school house, an old
log cabin with puncheon floor, etc. This house, having no roof, he
obtained a bolt of cotton cloth, sewed it together and nailed it over
the cabin for a roof. At that time there were twelve organized districts
in the county. He started a petition for and helped to secure the post
office known as North Star, which was first located at William Frai-
sher's, and was the assistant postmaster while his school lasted and Mr.
Fraisher was the postmaster, and the second one in the Missouri Val-
ley, while 'Squire Rich, of Sonora, was first, the office bearing his name.
Mr. B. is one of the reliable men of the county, and is qualified for any
position of trust or honor in the gift of the people of his c unty. He
has a good home, is making farming his principal business, and keeps
thoroughly posted on the current news of the day.
HERMAN LEANDER BOESENBERG,
merchant, and dealer in agricultural implements, etc., was born in Cook
County, Illinois, December 30, 1853. He received a good common
school education, and graduated from Bryant & Stratton's Commercial
College of Chicago, in 1869. He worked at home until thirteen years
950 HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
old on his father's farm, and at the age of seventeen, he obtained a
situation as clerk in a retail store in Chicago, where he remained until
April 1875. Mr. B. then came to this county, where he has since con-
tinued to reside. After clerking in a large store here several years, he
started in business on his own account in 1878, which he continued until
1881, then forming a partnership with M. Giannini in April of that year.
They have since been doing a prosperous business, and are having a
good trade in the various kinds of agricultural implements. Mr. B. has
also started a meat market. He married Miss Albertine Bettie White,
daughter of Isaac Newton White, of this county, in 1877. They have
two children, Alice and Hermie. He is a Republican in politics, and
religiously was brought up a Lutheran. In his business enterprises, Mr.
B. has relied upon his own efforts. Having obtained a good business
education in youth, and having clerked with excellent business men, he
naturally had to succeed. He is affable in his demeanor and a good
salesman. His father is an old settler of Cook County, and one of its
large and independent farmers.
THOMAS CLARK.
farmer and stock raiser, is the owner of 364 acres of land, his residence
being on section 14. He was born in Coshocton County, Ohio, January
12, 1843. He received a good common school education, and then
learned the tinner's trade, at which he worked until 1862. He subse-
quently enlisted in the Eightieth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was
attached to the Second Division Fifteenth Army Corps. He was in all
the hard fought and notable battles of the army of the Cumberland, and
was with General Sherman in his march to the sea. He participated in
the ever memorable battle at Bentonsville, North Carolina, the last one
of the war, and was mustered out at Little Rock, Arkansas, receiving an
honorable discharge. Mr. Clark soon returned home, and after visiting
his friends he came to Missouri and bought one of the farms he now
occupies, and which he has since improved. He married Miss Josephine
Carms, only daughter of the late Judge James Carms, of Coshocton,
County, Ohio, December 25, 1862. They have six children : James Carms,
Fannie, Luella, Olive, Samuel and Josiah. Mr. Clark has a beautiful
place, his farm containing 190 acres. Mrs. Clark's father, Judge James
Carms, was born in Pennsylvania, in 18 18, and in youth enjoyed good
opportunities for attending the schools of those days. He early learned
the blacksmith trade, and in 1849, he went to California, with stock etc.,
and again in 185 1 and 1853. On these trips he 'met with fair success.
He was superintendent of the state canals for four years, and on account
of his known ability and faithfulness, made a good officer. In 1861, he
raised a company for the Eightieth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was
TEMIT.ETON TOWNSHIP. 95 1
elected its lieutenant, and later was promoted to captain. His military
record is one of the best. In 1844, he married Miss Frances Arnold, in
Coshocton County, Ohio. She died in 1859, leaving one daughter, Jose-
phine (now Mrs. Thomas Clark). He married for his second wife, Mrs.
Sarah (Arnold) Macomber, sister of his first wife, in i860. In October,
1865, in company with Mr. T. Clark and family, they came to Missouri
and settled in this township on lands purchased by him the year previous.
They improved these farms and erected as good buildings as any in the
county. Mr. Carms taught the district school for two winters, and
in 1866, he was elected ccunty judge for six years, serving the
county with marked ability. He was a Republican in politics, and sup-
ported the M. E. Church. He died April 24, 1876, lamented by all who
knew him. Mrs. Carms died in November, 1878, after whose death the
property came into the hands of Mrs. Clark, the only heir. She and her
husband then moved into the large residence built and finished so richly,
which they now occupy.
WILLIAM M. CALVERT, M. D.,
was born in Belmont County, Ohio, in March, 1832. In 1842 his father
moved the family to Meigs County, where William spent his young days
in school and at labor on the farm. In 1856 he commenced the study
of medicine with Dr. E. M. Beam, of Athens County, Ohio, and was
engaged in the practice of his profession until the breaking out of the
war, when, in 1861, he enlisted in the Thirtieth Ohio Volunteer Infantry,
with whom he remained until January, 1863. He then received an hon-
orable discharge, on account of an injury received. He was on detached
duty nearly all the time, connected with the medical and hospital depart-
ment. He had eight brothers and four brothers-in-law, all in the ser-
vice. His father, John Calvert, who was born in Pennsylvania, in 1797,
died in Ohio in 1871. His mother, formerly Edith Beale, was also born
in Pennsylvania, in 1802. She now lives in this county, with a son-in-
law, Mr. Reaves. They had sixteen children, two of whom died in
infancy. Rev. John P. was killed in the battle of Shiloh. He was First
seargent and was shot while urging his men on to duty. After returning
from the army Dr. C. practiced for a while in Virginia. Then he returned
to his native county in Ohio and was appointed county physician. In
1865 he came to Missouri and practiced for five years in Warren and
Montgomery Counties. He subsequently went to Pike County, Illinois,
where he had a large practice for eleven years. In 1878 he attended
lectures at the St. Louis Medical College and was graduated from that
institution. In October, 188 1, he moved to this city and has succeeded
in establishing a liberal patronage. Dr. Calvert married Miss Carie
Martin, of Montgomery County, Missouri, in 1870. They have one child,
952 HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
Cecil. The doctor is very kind and pleasant in his professional visits to
the sick and is a.^uccessful practitioner.
THOMAS CULLIN,
farmer and stock raiser, section 21, is the son of Edward and Catharine
(Sinnott) Cullin, the latter of whom, a native of Ireland, died in Cleve-
land, Ohio, in 1862. Thomas was born in Wexford, Ireland, in April,
1837, and at the age of twelve years he came to this country with his
father, settling in Ohio. When Thomas was eighteen years old he
started in life for himself. He first went to Kansas and Colorado, and
then to the western part of Nebraska, where he raised stock and cut hay
on a ranch, remaining there until 1865, when he came to this county and
bought his present farm of 345 acres. He married Miss Elizabeth
Proudfit, in Nebraska, in 1863. She was the daughter of Elias Proudfit,
of this township. They have four children : Nettie, Emma, Mabel and
Kate. Two children, Perry and Elias, died in infancy. Mr. C. is a
well-posted Greenbacker and takes a leading part in promoting the
interests of this county. He was raised a Catholic. He belongs to the
Masonic fraternity. By his own indomitable courage and good judg-
ment he has succeeded in obtaining a good farm, on which he soon
expects to build one of the best residences of this county. In 1881 he
fed 136 hogs, several car loads of stock, and raises annually from 125 to
200 acres of corn. His father is still living in Cleveland.
JOHN J. EILERS,
dealer in groceries, boots and shoes and gents' furnishing goods, at
Phelps City, was born in Starck Volt Aust Amich, Kingdom of Hanover,
October 26th, 1845. He received a good education, and was reared a
farmer. In 1865 he came to this country with his father and settled in
Adams County, Illinois, removing to Atchison County, Missouri, in
1868. Here he went to work on a farm, and in 1874 he opened a small
saloon in Phelps City, commencing with very little means. For seven
years he continued the business and made a gocvd start. He then rented
out his saloon and fixtures and opened an excellent family grocery, with
a good assortment of boots and shoes. He has a well stocked estab-
lishment and is doing a thriving trade. He is well informed in business
matters and accommodating to his customers, and being possessed of a
good judgment, is ably fitted for the different positions of trust and
responsibility to which he is called to fill. Mr. Eilers married Miss Sarah
F. May, daughter of Wiley May, Esq., of Benton Township, February
13, 1870. They have one child living: Leoly Maud, born October 25,
1875. Three died in infancy. He is a Free Mason, a Republican in
TEMPLETON TOWNSHIP. 953
politics and religiously a Lutheran. Mrs. E. is a member of the Christian
Church.
WILLIAM FRAISHER,
farmer and stock raiser, is the owner of 400 acres of land, his residence
being on section 28. He was born in DeKalb County, Tennessee, Octo-
ber 23, 18 19. His father was Moses Fraisher, of Tennessee,- and his
mother, who was formerly Violet Love, was born in South Carolina.
William came to Illinois with his father in 1828, and settled in Bond
County. His opportunities for obtaining an education were limited. He
learned the blacksmith and gunsmith trades, at which he worked as long
as he lived in Illinois. In 1839, ne came to Missouri, and settled in
Greene County, in which vicinity he remained for several years, working
at his trade. In 1845, ne came to this county and bought the claim of
his farm. His residence, additions and improvements, with its natural
facilities, renders it a desirable place. Mr. Fraisher has been twice mar-
ried. His first wife was Mrs. Rebecca Myers Harmon, daughter of Henry
Myers, of East Tennessee, whom he married in Greene County, in
November, 1842. They had one child by this union, a son, William W.
Mrs. F. died in 1874. He was married the second time to Lottie Gabriel
in 1876. They have three children : Louisa L., Rosana Jane and Una.
Delia. When Mr. F. settled here there were but few settlers in the
county. He, like all others, experienced hard times and discourage-
ments of various kinds, but surmounted all obstacles, and profited by the
experience. He now takes a front rank among the large and prosperous
farmers of the county. In 1881, he went to California with his family,
and remained there for several months, returning in March. In politics-
he is a Democrat, but voted for Lincoln. In his religious belief he wor-
ships with the Christian Church. Mr. Fraisher was the first postmaster
on these bottoms. He is esteemed and respected by all who know him.
GEORGE WASHINGTON HARMON,
retired farmer, stock dealer and feeder, is the owner of 960 acres of land,,
his home farm of 372 acres being located on section 32. Few men are
entitled to a more prominent place in history than G. W. Harmon, as he
was the second settler in the county, having come here a few months after
Mr. Millsaps. He was born in Monroe County, Tennessee, April 4, 1818.
He attended school for two days, and during his youth learned the gun-
smith trade of his father, Nathan Harmon. In 1827 they moved to Bond
County, Illinois, being among the pioneers there. They repaired guns
for the Indians as well as for the settlers, and did quite a business. On
the 19th of October, 1840, George came to this county and settled on the
land which now comprises his beautiful farm. He and Callaway Mill-
954 HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
saps both brought their young wives with them. His daughter Rebecca,
• (now Mrs. Benson Bailey, of Brownville, Nebraska,) was the second child
born in Atchison County, the son of Mr. Millsaps being the first. Mr.
H. built a log cabin, and also a log shop, when he worked for the Indians
and settlers for a long period, doing all their gunwork and blacksmith-
ing, and in return they did his plowing and improving his land. The
nearest mill was at Council Bluffs, sixty miles, and to go there and return
took eight days. Previous to using the mill, for two years they made
their hominy by pounding corn in a mortar. He then bought a hand
mill (a large coffee mill), attached it to a tree, and it was in constant
use. Mr. H. informs us that for seven years he wore one pair of pants,
and so often were they patched that the original cloth could not be
seen, and so greased and stiff had they become that they would stand
alone. He then got deer skin of the Indians and made a suit, and wore
moccasins and a coonskin cap, with the tail on. By this cap and suit he
was known for miles around. His first adventure was purchasing beeves
for the quartermaster of the United States Army, stationed at a fort
where Nebraska City now stands, and in a purchase amounting to $300
he cleared for his services $200. This is where his life work commenced,
and since then he has made stock dealing and feeding a success. He
has fed and sold from 200 to 500 head annually. His farm is among the
most productive and best arranged for stock purposes and raising corn
in the township, upon it there being a fine brick residence, the third one
in the county, and other improvements. In 1870, with his two sons-in-
law, Messrs. McGee and Bailey, of Brownville, Nebraska, he bought the
ferryboat " Mary J. Arnold," and has run it for nine years in connection
with the transfer and 'bus line from Brownville to Phelps City. In 1880
Mr. H. bought out his partners in the business, and one month alter the
boat was snagged, and he lost $7,000. His former partners again took
hold, fitted up a temporary flatboat, which was used until the present
fine structure was finished, and since that time the three have conducted
the business. In August, 1 881. Mr. Harmon rented his farm and
removed to Tecumseh, Johnson County, Nebraska, near his Nebraska
farm of 480 acres. There he has built a house, and is having his farm
improved on a large scale. This he intends for his only son, George
Benson. He has also bought a beautiful lot in Tecumseh, upon which
he has erected the finest residence in the eity. Mr. H. has been twice
married : First, to Sarah Roberts, of Montgomery County, Illinois, in
August, 1837. She died in 1847, leaving four children : Betsey Ann,
Martha, Rebecca, (now Mrs. Bailey), and Mary Angeline, (now Mrs. J.
L. McGee.) In August, 1848, he married Miss Mary Ann Hughes.
They have two children, Sarah Angeline and George Benson. The first
4th of July celebration in Atchison County was held at the foot of the
bluffs near Mr. Millsaps, he and Mr. M. being the chief persons there.
TEMPLETON TOWNSHIP. 955
This was in 1841. Corn bread, baked in a "pone," and wild honey
formed the dinner for the distinguished gathering. Every person in the
county were there, and many Indians besides. Mr. Harmon was orator
of the day, and also chief marshal. Mr. H. is a Mason, in politics a
Republican, and a supporter of the Christian Church. There are not
many persons who have lived in the county twenty years but what know
Mr. H., and have heard him tell his stories of early days, the recital of
which would fill a volume. He has made a reputation for honesty, enter-
prise and integrity which is lasting.
HENRY SOUTH HILL,
farmer and stock raiser, is the owner of 245 acres of land, his residence
being on section 34. He was born in Warren County, Kentucky,
December 7, 1813. While he was a small boy, his father moved to Mont-
gomery County, Illinois, and located on a farm in the timber, where
Henry grew up. He did much hard work, helping his father make a farm.
After being married he moved into Bond County, obtained a piece of
land, which he cleared, and would have been contented, but for the
stories of the famous Platte Purchase. He determined to seek a better
country, and in 1848 he moved to this township, and bought the forty
acre lot where his house now stands. He soon had a fine farm and was
able to make additions to his place, until now he has one second to none.
Mr. Hill married Miss Charlotte Temple Harmon, daughter of Nathan
and Rebecca Harmon, of Bond County, Illinois, December 10, 1835.
They have four children living : Mrs. Mary W. Lewis, George W., Dru-
cilla Emeline, (wife of Dr. Jones of Watson), and John Henry. William
W. died July 16, 1865, aged 24 years ; Sarah died in infancy ; Nancy Jane
married Valentine S. Kerl, and died November 2, 1874, leaving two
children : Emma Ada Belle, who has a home with Dr. Jones, her uncle,
and Malcomb Montrose, who lives with his grandfather. Mr. Hill has
always been either a Whig or Republican, and belongs to the Christian
Church and Good Templars. In 1852 he was elected county judge, and
served with great satisfaction to all. March 14, 1862, he enlisted in the
Fifth Missouri Cavalry, and served for one year. He was promoted to
second lieutenant and then to first lieutenant, and was attached to
General Loan's Brigade. Wherever Mr. H. has been placed .or whatever
responsibility he has assumed, he has discharged his duty with ability,
and under all circumstances has earned the title of an honest man.
GEORGE HINDENACH,
blacksmith and farmer, was born in Wurtemburg, Germany, February 17,
1838. He received a good education in his native country, and in 1854
956 HISTORY OF ATCHISON county.
came to America, settling in Berks County, Pennsylvania, where he com-
pleted his trade, which he commenced in Germany. He worked at this
and the iron business for ten years, in Philadelphia, Cincinnati, Wash-
ington and St. Louis. During the war he was employed by the gov-
ernment some two years in Washington. In 1865 he came to Blooming-
ton, Illinois, and after stopping there a short time he came to Woodford
County, where he started a shop, operating it for two years. In 1869 he
came to Missouri and settled in this city, built a shop and has been
extremely successful. He has erected a good residence and purchased
and improved eighty acres of land near Rock Port, besides which he has
considerable town property. Mr. Hindenach married Miss Hannah
Stack, of this county, in the fall of 1869. They have six children living :
George, Lillie, Willie, Betsie, Ella and Anna Christine. Minnie died at
the age of two years. He is a Republican in politics and religiously a
Lutheran. Mr. H. is one of the best workmen in this locality, as is shown
in the fact that he has remained the town smith when all others have
failed.
ROBERT THOMAS HUNTER,
farmer, stock raiser and feeder, is the owner of 640 acres of land, his res-
idence being on section 22. He was born in St. Joseph, Missouri, Feb-
ruary 2, 1841. For some time he attended the common schools, and
remained at home until manhood, when his father, Judge William Hun-
ter, gave him the use of 320 acres of land. Young Robert embarked at
once on the road that has led him to a fortune. He commenced to raise
corn and buy stock, and with his profits he has purchased his section of
land, though he still works his father's 320 acre tract. Very few men in
this county have obtained a competency so comparatively easy, though
this is partly to be attributed to his genius for doing business and in
buying and selling stock. In 1881, he raised his own corn and fed the
stock which he sold for $11,000. In common with others he suffered
much from the overflow. In 188 1, lightning struck his barn, a very fine
one, consuming this, together with his grain, hay, some ten horses and
mules, harness, wagons, etc. Mr. Hunter has been twice married ; first,
in 1861, to Miss Ella Stout, daughter of Francis Stout, of Platte County.
She died in 1870, leaving four children : William, Francis, John and
Charles. His second wife was Martha J. Proudfit, daughter of the late
Elias Proudfit, whom he married in 1872. They have lost five children,
who died in infancy. One is living, Blanch. In politics he is a Demo-
crat, and belongs to the Masonic fraternity. Elias Proudfit, father of
Mrs. Hunter, came here in 1856, from Virginia, and bought and improved
the farm where Mr. Hunter now lives. His wife was formerly Edith
Reed. Their children were Mary, (now Mrs. J. M. Sliger) ; Elizabeth,
(now Mrs. Thomas Cullins) ; Martha M., (Mrs. R. T. Hunter). Four sons
TEMPLETON TOWNSHIP. 957
are in other states. James died in 1865, Thomas died in i860, Mrs. P,
died in 1868, and Mr. P. in 1873.
LEWIS J. MILES,
attorney at law, was born in Knoxville, East Tennessee, in July, 1852.
He studied under his father and thoroughly fitted himself for college,
graduating from Emery and Henry College in Virginia in 1870. He
commenced the study of law with Judge Barber, of Morristown, Ten-
nessee, and in 1872 he came to Rock Port, Missouri, where he continued
his law studies with Hon. J. P. Lewis. Mr. Miles was admitted to the
bar in January, 1874, after which he opened an office in Phelps City and
commenced the practice of his profession. He has a good understand-
ing of the principles of law, is an able advocate, commanding good
language, and is an impressive speaker. In May, 188 1, he established
an office in the new city of Tarkio, in which place he spends a portion
of his time. In politics he is a Democrat. He received the nomination
by his party to the legislature in 1880, and while he ran 150 votes
ahead of his party ticket, yet by a combination of the Republicans and
Greenbackers he was defeated. He is an active member of the Odd
Fellows fraternity. Mr. Miles was married to Miss Ada Thompson, the
second daughter of the late F. M. Thompson, of Phelps City, Decem-
ber 25, 1881. Mr. M.'s father, Hon. S. D. Miles, at one time president
of the Knoxville University and also of the Rutlege Academic Insti-
tute, was born in North Carolina, where he in part received a thorough
education, completing it at Warrensburg, Tennessee. *He was a lead-
ing Whig in his day, and, as such, with Parson Brownlow, used to stump
the state. He served in the Tennessee legislature and held many posi-
tions of trust and responsibility. He was an active Mason and acted
as lecturer for the order.
GOULD D. MYERS,
farmer and stock raiser, is the possessor of 200 acres of land, his resi-
dence being on section 22. He was the son of Valentine and Nancy
(Bennett) Myers, both natives of Tennessee, and was born in Sullivan
County, Missouri, in 1841. In 1866 he settled in this county, where he
bought forty acres of land. He had money enough to pay for this and
an old horse and wagon, and from that small beginning he has obtained
as good a tract of land as can be found, all well improved, with several
small dwellings on the different places. He married Miss Elizabeth
Manies, daughter of Stokely Manies, of Tennessee, in Sullivan County,
Missouri, in 1866. They have five children : Florence, Walter, Laura,
Lewella and Samuel. Politically Mr. Myers is a Democrat and belongs
95§ HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
to the Methodist Church. He is a good farmer, has practical views of
business on the farm, and surrounded by an industrious family and worthy
companion is bound to succeed.
AMBROSE PORTER,
station and express agent at Phelps City, the son of Henry and Lydta
(Major) Porter, both natives of Maryland, was born in Alleghany County,
Maryland, February 2, 1839, and when seven years old went to Knox
County, Ohio. His educational opportunities were such as could be
obtained at a common district school. He served a regular apprentice-
ship to the carpenter's trade, and in 1859 came to this county, soon com-
mencing work at building. Later he bought a small farm and made j
some improvements. The war breaking out, he enlisted in the Fifth
Missouri Cavalry, and remained until January, 1863, when he was mus-
tered out. He then re-enlisted in the Twelfth Missouri Cavalry, and
remained in service until September, 1864, having been promoted to
first lieutenant, and transferred to the Sixty-first United States colored.
In May, 1865, they were consolidated with the Third United States
Heavy Artillery, with which he was connected until the close of the war.
He was mustered out April 30, 1866. After this, Mr. Porter engaged in I
the wood business in Arkansas, and after establishing himself therein, he
went to Memphis, and obtained a position on the police force. He sold J
out his wood business after the overflow, losing 1,000 cords of wood.
Resigning his position he returned to this locality in 1867-. He moved
upon his farm and made some improvements, but afterwards disposed of
his interests In the spring of 1868, he built a house, into which he
moved in March, 1869, and thereafter worked at his trade, employing
from five to ten men. He was occupied in building churches, school ;
houses, residences, and in fact, did most of the building in this vicinity
for two years. In 1870, he was appointed assistant agent of the station
at Phelps City, and has been a faithful and efficient agent for twelve
years, gaining the entire confidence of the company and the citizens of
the town. In April, 1882, the agent, Mr. W. L. Shaw, resigned, and the
company immediately promoted Mr. Porter to the situation. By his j
faithful career he became perfectly qualified to discharge the duties of
this position. He married Miss M. A. Worthington, of Cleveland, Ohio,,
in 1867. They have raised several children. He has brought up and
educated a neice, Bell Ramey, and also Annie Majers. He also has
taken an infant orphan to care for, Annie Langdon. In politics he is a
Democrat, and in his religious preferences a Catholic.
TEMPLETON TOWNSHIP. 959
ANDREW C. PROUDFIT,
farmer, section 23, was born in Indiana, May 21, 1857, and when a small
boy, he came with his father to this state and county. While young, he
had a severe spell of sickness, which left him deprived of the sense of
hearing and speech. His mother has taken great pains in sending him
to school, and he remained eight years in the State School for Mutes,
under the tutorship of Mr. Kerl. He was an excellent scholar, learning
rapidly, and has become a good practical business man, a fine reader and
an excellent penman. He has with his mother over 100 acres of beauti-
ful land, under the best of improvements. He has bought teams, plows,
drags, etc., and has had great success in everything he has undertaken.
He has entire charge of the farm, is a Democrat in his political views,
and a valuable citizen of this county. His father, Thomas Proudfit,
bought 160 acres of fine land on section 23. He was born in Virginia
in 1819, and was raised in Indiana. His father was Elias Proudfit.
Thomas P. came to this state and county in 1856. He married Miss
Lana Anderson Davidson in Dubois County, Indiana, in February,
1856. They had two children: Andrew C. and Mary E., born Novem-
ber 20, 1859, wno married James M. Sliger. Mr. P. died in i860, leaving
Mrs. P. and her two small children and a farm, almost wholly unim-
proved and unpaid for. But the land was rich, and having energy and
courage she commenced raising stock and corn. She succeeded in pay-
ing for her farm, and has built a beautiful house. Her daughter, who
married Mr. J. M. Sliger lives quite near her. Mr. Proudfit was an excel-
lent man and during the few years he lived after moving here, won the
confidence of many.
JAMES RAHMAN
was born in the Kingdom of Hanover, Germany, October 23, 1843, and
in 1847, accompanied his father to this country, settling in Monroe
County, Illinois. After living in several places the family moved to this
county, in 1867. The father bought 160 acres of land and improved it
in good condition, building a nice residence and making it one of the
most desirable homes in the county. After the death of the father, the
two sons divided the homestead, James keeping the old residence. He
was married April 8, 1874, to Miss Ida Gardes, daughter of George
Gardes, of Germany. They have two children : Henry and George J.
He is a Republican in politics, and religiously a Lutheran. Henry Rah-
man, father of the subject of this sketch, was born in the Kingdom of
Hanover, Germany, in 18 15. He came to this country in 1847, and was
a resident of Monroe County, Illinois, for two years, after which he lived
in Nebraska for two years. Coming to this county he bought his excel-
lent farm. In 1853, he went to California and remained for nearly four
960 HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
years ; had bad luck on the start, but was afterwards successful, obtain-
ing quite a sum of money. He then returned home, wiser and better,
and a little richer, for his experience. He married Catharine Margaret
Clichouse, of Germany. They had two children, James and George.
Henry died in the Old Country. James followed teaming to Salt Lake
for three years, for a freighting company. He has ninety acres of land,
situated in section 2.
JAMES M. SCAMMON
was born in Union City, Atchison County, Missouri, May 15, 1850. He
acquired a good education at home and became well qualified for prose-
cuting the duties of the business which he has made his life work. He
remained with his father until twenty-one years old and then rented a
farm, which he worked for one year. In 1872, with his father, he
started the store which he now conducts, and afterwards Mr. Bailey
became a partner and since then they have been doing a very large and
prosperous business under the firm name of Scammon & Bailey. Mr.
S. married Miss Mary Casey, daughter of Edward Casey, of Nova
Scotia, March 7, 1878. They are raising a nephew of Mr. S.'s, Levi
Craighton Smith. Politically Mr. S. is a Republican aid he is a leading
member of the M. E. Church. He is liberal in building churches and
supporting schools, and has been one of our energetic and prosperous
men, both as a farmer and merchant. He has bought a fine farm of
550 acres of land which he cultivates. As a business man he has the
confidence of the entire community. His father, Enoch D. Scammon,
of Union City, is among the early pioneers of the county, and has
large possessions, all accumulated by his own hard work. Reference to
this noble man is to be found elsewhere in our work.
JOHN HENRY SHEPPERSON,
farmer and stock raiser, section 6, was the son of William and Mary Ann
(Webster) Shepperson, the former of Virginia and the latter of Scotch
descent, but a native of London. John was born in Richmond, Virginia,
April 16, 1834. His education was obtained almost entirely by self
application, and he spent several years in teaching in Virginia, Iowa and
Missouri. He was the instructor of an excellent school for five years in
Charlestown, now the capital of West Virginia. In 1862 he came to this
state, and March 14th enlisted in the Fifth Missouri Cavalry, commanded
by Colonel Penick. He served faithfully for sixteen months and on his
return from the army bought some land, where he now lives. He spent
some time in teaching and speculating in stock. December 15, 1869,
Mr. Shepperson married Miss Susan Elizabeth Roberts, daughter of
James and Elizabeth Roberts of this county. They have four children :
TEMPLETON TOWNSHIP. 961
Anna Gertrude, Jacob Malcolm, James William and John Lester. Mr.
S. is a Mason and in his religious preferences inclines towards the Pres-
byterian denomination. He is a staunch Republican and whatever views
he may take upon a question he is thoroughly competent to maintain his
position. He is a great reader, keeping pace with the current literature
of the day and also of the political movements of Congress. His farm
contains 360 acres of good land.
JAMES MONROE SLIGER,
farmer and teacher, section 22, was born in Washington County, East
Tennessee, May 21, 1853, and in 1868 came to this county. He com-
menced his education in Tennessee and completed it at the College of
Stewartsville, Missouri. In 1880 he bought his present farm of 120
acres and has been making improvements upon it till he now has an
excellent place. He married Miss Mary E. Proudfit, daughter of the
late Thomas Proudfit, in February, 1877. They have one child, Ada.
In politics Mr. S. is a Democrat. He belongs to the Cumberland Pres-
byterian Church, of which he is a very active member. He is also a
member of the Masonic order. Since completing his education he has
devoted his time to teaching, and since purchasing his farm he has
taught the school in the same district. Mr. Sliger has done his part
nobly in achieving what he has. He is a fine scholarly young man and
well fitted for any position in life.
JESSE SLIGER,
farmer, stock dealer and feeder, section 23, was born in Washington
County, East Tennessee, July 14, 1838. His education was obtained at
the common schools. He came to this county in 1859, and subsequently
enlisted in the Second Missouri Infantry of the Confederate army, and
was in the western army for four years. He was wounded in the battle
of Pea Ridge, and discharged his duties well, enduring the trials and
hardships of a soldier's life without a murmur. He was discharged at
Shreveport, Louisiana, at the close of the war. Mr. Sliger then returned
to Nebraska, and became engaged with a freighter going to Fort Kear-
ney. Upon coming back he moved to this vicinity and bought eighty
acres of his present farm, which he has improved and made additions to
until now he has 235 acres. In 1880, he built a beautiful residence, and
few men have worked to a better advantage. He married Miss Mary
Proudfit, daughter of Elijah Proudfit, in September, 1867. They have
two children: Minnie Delona, born September 12, 1870; Wintford
Emery, born August 31, 1873. Politically he is a Democrat, and belongs
to the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. He is a member of the
61
962 HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
Masonic fraternity. Mr. Sliger is held in high esteem by his associates,
on account of his high moral character, and known integrity.
COLONEL PHILIP AUSTIN THOMPSON
was the son of David Hamilton Thompson, who was a native of Ten-
nessee. His mother, formerly Annie Williams, was born in St. Louis
County, Missouri. They came to Missouri before the State was admit-
ted into the Union, and settled in Callaway County, where Philip, the
second of nine children, was born, on July 31, 1830. His education was j
indeed a limited one. At the age of eighteen years he entered a store
in DeKalb, Buchanan County, as salesman and bookkeeper. His inten-
tion was to study law, but this desire he was obliged to forego. He
remained in DeKalb until 185 1, at which time he removed to Holt County
and taught school one year. In 1852 he took a trip to California and
resided there three years, engaged in farming. Returning in 1855, he
settled in Holt County. In 1856 he embarked in merchandising in
Rock Port, Atchison County, in connection with Messrs. Dillon and
Ruland, under the firm name of Dillon, Thompson & Co., which contin-
ued until 1859. In the latter year he entered into partnership with Dr.
Buckham, whose daughter Susan he married on December 31, 1359.
When the civil war began Mr. Thompson closed his store and joined the
Union side of the State Militia, enlisting for six months. He was elected
major of the Fourth Battalion, a position he held until his time had
closed. At the expiration of his term of service, he re-enlisted for three
years, in the Fifth Cavalry, and was commissioned lieutenant colonel of
the regiment, Colonel Penick being his superior in command. The reg-
iment was mustered out of service in 1863, and Colonel Thompson
returned to his mercantile pursuits in Rock Port, having his brother, F.
P. Thompson, as his associate, in April, 1867. In 1868 the business house
was removed to Phelps City. In March, 1875, he began a general bank-
ing business, purchasing and selling exchange, etc. In politics Colonel
T. was a Whig as long as that party was in existence, since which time
he has been a Republican. In 1870 he was elected treasurer of Atchison
County. In 1873 he" was elected to fill a vacancy in the state senate
from the district composed of Atchison, Holt and Nodaway Counties,
and at the end of two years declined a re-election. In 1876 he was nom-
inated by the Republicans of the Ninth Congressional District, for a seat
in congress. Though defeated, he ran five hundred ahead of his ticket,
in his own county, thus showing the esteem in which he is held. Colonel
T. is a member of the Blue Lodge, and a member and Past High Priest
of the Royal Arch Chapter, while it was at Phelps City. He was also
an active Odd Fellow. He is a supporter of the Christian Church. Mr.
T. has one of the largest and most valuable farms in the county, located
TEMPLETON TOWNSHIP. 963
at Langdon, two and a half miles south of Phelps. There he owns the
town site and a large store, doing a good mercantile business, with Mr.
Ruland as a partner. He has built upon his 700 acre farm in Langdon,
an elegant and attractive residence, the most costly in the county. The
Colonel lives here, surrounded by his family of nine children, enjoying
the confidence and respect of his fellow citizens. He annually feeds and
ships a large quantity of live stock.
FRANCIS MARION THOMPSON
was born in Callaway County, Missouri, August 26, 1832. He is the son
of David H. Thompson, a native of Tennessee, and Anne (Williams)
Thompson, who was born in St. Louis County, Missouri. They had
nine children, of whom the subject of this sketch is the third in num-
ber. His parents emigrated to Missouri before its admission as a state,
and located in Callaway County. Francis removed with his brother to
Buchanan County, Missouri, in [840. He received a common educa-
tion near DeKalb in that county and worked on a farm until he was
seventeen years old. In 1849 he came to Holt County and was
engaged for two years in working with Hawk, Dillon & Co. at Hemme's
Landing. He was then interested with W. E. Dillon in the mercantile
business in that place, they remaining together for ten years. In 1861
he moved to Rock Port, where he sold goods for seven years. In 1868
he came to the present site of Phelps City, erected the first building in
the place and filled it with a stock of goods. He prospered in his busi-
ness and in 187 1 sold his stock of goods to Judge Saunders, who moved
them to Troy, Kansas. In February, 1873, he purchased the interest of
Judge Saunders and moved the stock back to Phelps, where he has since
been in trade with his brother, Colonel P. A. Thompson. They have
built up a large trade, commanding the patronage of the people for a
long distance around about. Mr. T. has accumulated a large and valu-
able estate in lands and personal property besides his individual estate.
The company owns 2,500 acres of the most fertile lands of Atchison
County. He and his brother are also engaged in the live stock trade, in
general merchandising and in banking, occupying a front rank among
the representative business men of Northwest Missouri. Mr. Thomp-
son has contributed liberally towards the building of churches of differ-
ent denominations and enjoys the reputation of being a public spirited
citizen. He joined the Masons in 1863 in Rock Port and has been
advanced to the degrees of the chapter and council. He also passed
through the order of Odd Fellows to the noble grand chair. Until the
commencement of the war he acted with the Democratic party, but his
intense devotion and attachment to the cause of the Union induced
him to act with the Republican party. After the war closed he returned
964 HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
to the Democratic party, with which he has since been connected.
He was married in Holt County to Miss Margaret A. Dillon, daughter
of a prominent farmer of Callaway County, Missouri, February 20,
1857. Her father died when she was a mere child. They have four
children : May, Ada, Anna, and Philip. In person Mr. T. is of medium
height and quite robust. Though having commenced life under adverse
circumstances he has achieved a success which has given him the con-
fidence and esteem of his fellow citizens.
JAMES WADE
is the son of William Wade, who died in Pettis County, Missouri, Novem-
ber 17, 188 1. His mother, formerly Nancy Ruckman, died in Atchison
County, in March, 1882. The subject of this sketch was born in High-
land County, Virginia, May 16, 1846. He received a good education for
those times and worked on a farm during youth. In 1859 ne came, with
his father, to Cooper County, Missouri, who finally settled in Pettis
County and bought a farm. In 1870 James also purchased land in the
same county and improved it during summers, Reaching school in the
winter months. This he continued for several years. In 1874 he dis-
posed of his farm and came to this county and purchased a farm, which
he worked until January, 1878, when he bought out John C. Hope's
interest in the drug business, in Phelps City. Here he has since been
doing the leading drug business of this community. He has a well reg-
ulated store, supplied with a complete assortment of drugs, medicines,
paints, books, stationery, etc. Mr. Wade married Miss Emma Baird, of
this county, March 3, 1872. They have three children, Bruce, Myrtle
and Lucretia. In politics Mr. W. is a Democrat. His family are Meth-
odists. He is one of the best business men in this town and always
accommodating to his customers. He has a good farm a few miles from
this place and owns his store and residence in the city. Though com-
mencing life a poor boy he has, by his diligence in business, become a
leading business man and one of the substantial citizens of the county.
JUDGE JOHN T. WELLS,
section 12, the son of J. N. and Harriet (Walker) Wells, was born in
Fleming County, Kentucky, in October, 1829. He received a fair educa-
tion, was raised a farmer, and in 1857 he came to Holt County, and in
1859 to Atchison County, where he bought a farm near Nishnebotna
Station, of 400 acres, with his brother, Elbridge H. His father, Jere-
miah N. Wells, came here with his family the next year, and settled on
the son's farm. In 1863 the two sons went to Montana and there
engaged in mining and farming. They raised the first crop of wheat
in Gallatin Valley, obtaining twenty bnshels per acre, which they sold
for $10 per bushel, in gold dust. This brought them $20 in greenbacks*
TEMPLETON TOWNSHIP. 965
per bushel, for the entire crop. They started the freighting business
from Fort Benton to Haller and Deer Lodge City, and were very suc-
cessful in 'Ihe enterprise. After working hard until 1869, Mr. John T.
Wells returned to this county. He soon bought the property he now
occupies near Phelps City, containing 217 acres, and has improved a
fine farm, having a good residence and everything about him to render
home pleasant and attractive. In 1873 he moved his father's family to
his new home. His mother died in 1872, and his father in 1874. Mr.
Wells married Miss Alice F. Payne, of Virginia, an estimable lady, Feb-
ruary 12, 1877. She was the daughter of Louis and Louisa Payne, nee
Peck, both Virginians by birth. They have four children : Charles A.,
Hallie Louisa and Sallie Belle, (twins), and Elbridge Harvey. In 1878
Mr. W. was elected presiding county judge for four years. He is a man
of excellent judgment, and has conducted the affairs of his office in an
exceptional and successful manner. In politics he is a Democrat, and
religiously a Christian.
CHARLES UHLIG,
farmer, stock raiser and feeder, section 3, was born in Prussia, Germany,
July 7, 1827. He was raised a miller from early boyhood and in that
country received an exceptionally complete education. In 1847 ne came
to this country with his father, who died at Buffalo, New York, after
which Charles settled in Washington County, Wisconsin, where he
improved a farm and built a flouring mill, both of which he operated.
The mill, however, proved a failure, and he lost nearly everything he
had. He remained for quite a number of years in Wisconsin and finally,
in 1857, ne s°ld out and moved to Nemaha County, Nebraska, where he
was one of the pioneers. He improved a good farm, on which he lived
for eight years. He then disposed of his land and came to Missouri,
locating on the farm he now owns. This contains 400 acres, upon which
he has made extensive improvements and built large and beautiful resi-
dences on two farms. Mr. Uhlig was married in Wisconsin, in 1852, to
Rosena Jaehnig, from the kingdom of Saxony. They have five children
living : Bertha, Matilda, Frank, Fanny and Willie. Emma died at the
age of fourteen years. Mr. U. is a Democrat in politics and religiously
he was brought up a Lutheran. While in Wisconsin he was frequently
elected to the office of supervisor, also was justice of the peace for
several years. Upon coming to this neighborhood he made a fine selec-
tion of land, went to work with a will, and is now one of the wealthiest
and most prosperous farmers of the county and has done much for the
advancement of its agricultural interests and improvements. His great
success in farming is attributable to his good management and hard
work, together with the help of his estimable companion. His mother
is living with one of her sons in the Black Hills.
CHAPTER XVIII.
PUBLIC BUILDINGS.
FIRST CuURT HOUSE -REMOVAL OF THE COUNTY SEAT FROM LINDEN TO ROCK PORT-
SECOND COURT HOUSE— PLANS FOR A NEW COURT HOUSE— COURT ORDERS A FIRE
PROOF BUILDING— PETITION ASKING TO BUILD COURT HOUSE-ELECTION ORDERED
—ADDRESS OF THE COUR l— PROPOSITION DEFEATED— ANOTHER PETIi'ION PRE-
SENTED—SECOND ELECTION ORDERED-ADDRESS OF THE COURT— RESULT OF
ELECTION-CONCLUSIONS-COUNTY POOR FARM.
FIRST COURT HOUSE. ■
The first court house that was erected in Atchison County, was
located in the town of Linden, in 1846, some five miles north of the pres-
ent town of Rock Port. It was built of wood, and cost $475.
T'LAN OF COURT HOUSE IN LINDEN.
Said house to be 20x30 feet, two stories high ; the lower story to be
nine feet in the clear, and the upper story seven feet ; the middle joists
to be three inches wide and three inches thick ; the upper joists seven
inches wide by three inches thick. The sleepers to be made of good
oak timber, and joined with the sills ; the sleepers to be two feet apart,
and the joists two feet apart and extend across the building ; the sills to
be eight inches wide by ten inches thick ; side ties to be four inches by
six ; the plates to be four by six inches ; the end ties to be eight by six
inches, with a sill and ties across the middle of the building; four posts
seven by seven inches, and two middle posts, four by six inches, each
post to have four hanging braces ; the studding to be three by four
inches ; rafters to be five by three inches at one end, and three by three
at the other ; rafters to be three feet apart ; the door and window frames
to be of walnut, one and a half inches thick ; the weatherboarding to be
of walnut, dressed and jointed, with good dressed boxing and moulding
under the eaves and front end; two doors in lower story, thick panel work;
the roof to be sheeted and shingled with oak, walnut or pine ; the lower
floor to be of oak and broken jointed ; the upper floor to be of linn,
tongued and grooved ; the walls and the upper story overhead, to be
ceiled with dressed linn or walnut ; the lower story to have five fifteen
light windows, eight by ten glass ; upper story four twelve light windows,
eight by ten glass ; a partition across the building twelve feet from the
front, up stairs, with two batten doors ; a partition to divide the back
room in the center the other way ; all the partition to be of dressed linn,
tongued and grooved, one inch thick ; all doors and windows to be
cased inside with single worked case and moulding ; the judges stand
to be twenty-seven inches high, from the floor, three feet wide and five
PUBLIC BUILDINGS. 967
feet long ; the front thirty inches above the floor of the stand, with a
cap ten inches wide and one and a half inches thick, braced and stayed ;
three steps on each side, with a panel front, all to be dressed ; two
benches on each side of the stand, .ten feet long, with backs, walnut
seats one and a half inches thick ; plain stairs to be run up on the
outside, four feet wide, with railing and platform at the top four feet wide,
all of oak ; a batten door at the head of the stairs ; good window shutters ;
a rock foundation under each part ; the whole house to be done in a
good and workmanlike manner. Estimated cost, $475.00.
JESSE COOK, Superintendent.
N. E. The undertakers to find all materials.
Isaac F. Wallis was the contractor in the building of this house, and
obligated himself to complete the same by the 15th day of October, 1847.
REMOVAL OF THE COUNTY SEAT.
The history of the removal of the county seat from Linden, where it
was located upon the organization of the county, in 1845, shows much of
the bitterness and strife which have ever characterized attempts to
change seats of justice after they have been once located. The main
cause for this change was, that after the line between Iowa and Missouri
had been permanently established, ten miles of the territory of Atchison
County was given to the former state, by reason of which Linden was
found to be too near the northern line of the county. Linden, however,
continued to be the county seat until 1S56.
On the 2d day of October, 1855. a petition was presented to the
county court, containing the name of Jonathan Shepherd and three hun-
dred and seven others, taxpayers of the county, praying for a removal
of the county seat, and asking that the question be submitted to a vote
of the people. The law at that time required that three-fifths of the
taxpayers of the county should sign a petition for that purpose, and the
court after comparing the list of names on the petition, with the list of
taxpayers in the county, ( the number then being four hundred and twenty-
four,) an election was ordered to be held on the 21st day of June, (1856,)
following, for the purpose of ascertaining the will of the people in refer-
ence to the removal. After the petition containing the names of the 308
persons had been presented to the county court, Silas Puyear, Esq., act-
ing as attorneyin behalf of certain parties at Linden, presented a counter
petition, setting forth that these persons had been induced to sign the
petition under false pretenses, and asking that their names be erased
from the list. This the court refused to do, and ordered the election,
as above stated.
The court then appointed John Ish, John Gibson and Stephen C.
Collins, of Holt County, and John Lamar and John Saunders, of Noda-
way County, commissioners to locate the county seat, and instructed
them to meet in Rock Port, November 12, 1855. From this order
968 HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
appointing commissioners to locate the county seat, the town of Lin-
den, through Puyear, Crandall & McClelland, attorneys, appealed.
The appellants were : John W. Cooper, A. Don Brown, P. J. Rudasill, J.
W. Wood, J. W. Smith, A. S. Noblitt, George Harmon, Wood Worl,
Thomas Hughes, John Gable, F. S, Moore, Peter Snider and Z. Mulky.
The appeal was finally dismissed, in October, 1855, in the circuit court.
After the election, and on the 23d day of June, 1856, Silas Puyear
again appealed, and objected to the court proceeding to examine the
poll-books which had been returned, claiming that the poll-books could
not be examined only at a regular term of court, (which would be the
term following.) This objection was also overruled by the court.
A motion was then made by Puyear asking the court to set aside
Friday, the 27th day of June, 1856, to hear testimony in reference to
illegal votes which had been cast. This was sustained, and the day set
accordingly.
On the 27th of June T. W. Collins, Esq., attorney for Rock Port,
filed a motion asking the court to rescind its order in reference to hear-
ing testimony concerning illegal votes. His motion was sustained, the
order was rescinded, and the court proceeded to count the votes. It
was ascertained that a majority of forty-eight votes had been cast in
favor of Rock Port. The law then required but a majority of those
voting. This, in brief, is the history of the removal of the county seat
from Linden in 1855 and 1856.
The county court held its first term at Rock Port on the 19th day of
August, 1856.
SECOND COURT HOUSE.
At its August term, in 1857, the court ordered the building of the
present (1882) court house, and appropriated the sum of nine thousand
five hundred dollars for that purpose. The building, however, at its
completion cost the county about twelve or fifteen thousand dollars.
The superintendent of this building was William H. Dunbar, who
received his appointment from the court, and was called "commissioner
of the seat of justice." Mr. Dunbar, under the instructions of the court,
proceeded to Oregon, Holt County, where he drew a plan of the court
house at Oregon, and also a plan prepared by himself, and submitted
them, with the probable estimated cost, the court selecting the plan pre-
pared by him, which differed in some respects from the plan of the
Oregon court house. In the construction of this building there were
several contractors. It appears from the record that Isaac N. White laid
the foundation and did the excavation, Jonas D. Murphy did the tin
work, George A. Thomas and Granville Johnson the wood work, and F.
L. Moore the brick work. The court house was located on parts of
blocks seventeen and eighteen, in Nuckolls & White's Addition to Rock
O
O
O
t— i
X
o
O
i >
w
o
a
H
o
o
w
>
I— I
H
w
o
Ph
PUBLIC BUILDINGS. 969
Port, and contains altogether seven rooms, which have been occupied as
offices and jury rooms. It is two stories high, and was considered when
first built, a handsome and stately edifice, and is even now not an
unattractive building. It is not only large, being about fifty by sixty
feet, but is well lighted and ventilated. The windows are large, and
sufficiently numerous to give an abundance of light and air on all sides.
It is situated on a lofty hill on the west side of the city, where, from its
graceful cupola (which was destroyed by wind a few years since) could
be seen a broad stretch of country in many directions. The building
was roughly used during the war. It was seized by the ruthless and
iconoclastic hands of soldiers, who occupied the upper story themselves,,
and used the lower story as a stable for their horses. It is now in a
dilapidated condition, and was condemned in 1880, as being unsafe, the
circuit court and a majority of the county officers vacating some months
since.
PLANS FOR A NEW COURT HOUSE.
On the 26th day of December, 188 1, the county court made the fol-
lowing order :
" Ordered that the plans and designs for a new court house, presented
to the county court for examination, by Messrs. Eckel & Mann, archi-
tects, be adopted upon the following conditions : Said Eckel & Mann
are to prepare full and complete specifications and designs, and deliver
by the 9th day cf January, A. D. 1882, for said court house, in accord-
ance with said design, and to enter into bond and contract similar to the
one in case of building court house and jail in Maryville, Nodaway
County, Missouri. That said court house shall not cost more than $40,-
000, including commission of said architects. Said architects, in case
the pending proposition to build a new court house be adopted by the
people, to have the contract of furnishing said plans, and superintend the
work of building said court house at the price of five per centum of the
amount of the cost of such building, but in case said proposition be not
adopted by two-thirds of the qualified voters of said county, and said
court house in consequence be not built, then said architects to claim no
compensation for said plans, designs and specifications. The county
clerk and the county attorney are authorized to see that the contract
and bond are properly prepared."
The architects who filed the above mentioned plan and design, were
Eckel & Mann, of St. Joseph, Missouri.
THE PROPOSED NEW COURT HOUSE.
Having alluded to the fact that the present court house was deemed
unsafe for further occupancy by the courts and county officials, we shall
now present in as brief a manner as we can the history of the last
enterprise of the county in its efforts to erect a new, a more costly and
more substantial edifice — a court house that will be more in keeping
97° HISTORY OB' ATCHISON COUNTY.
with the present wants and necessities of a progressive and intelligent
people. We find that the county court at its November term, 1881,
made the following order :
"Ordered that an appropriation of $5,000 be made out of the
expenditure fund for the purpose of building a fire-proof building for
the offices of the circuit clerk and the clerk of the county court, said
building to be located in the southeast part of the court house square ;
each office to be provided with a fire-proof vault sufficient to contain all
the records of each office ; and it is further ordered, that A. E. Wyatt
be appointed the superintendent to superintend the construction of the
same, and the said A. E. Wyatt being present, has taken an oath to
faithfully discharge the duties enjoined upon him by said appointment."
The above order was made in pursuance of a petition presented to
the court, asking the erection of fire-proof buildings for clerk's offices
and safety vaults for the public records. The order was published and
created considerable comment. A petition was then circulated and
signed by a respectable number of tax-payers asking the court to
rescind its former order, it appearing to have been the desire of the
petitioners to have an opportunity to vote upon the proposition of build-
ing a new court house, out and out, rather than have the county funds
used in building vaults and offices.
Another strong petition, containing the names of two hundred and
eight tax payers, was presented at the same term asking that a proposi-
tion to build a new court house be submitted to the voters of the county.
In consideration of this petition the court ordered an election to be
held on Tuesday, the 31st day of January. 1882. Below we give the
order for the election :
" SPECIAL ELECTION.
Now on this 17th day of December, A. D. 188 1, during a continua-
tion of the regular November term of this court for that year, comes Lott
Watts, and many others, in all more than one hundred in number, of the
■qualified voters, who are tax-payers residing in Atchison County, State
of Missouri, and present to this court their petition in writing, by them
duly signed, praying the court to call a Special Election for the purpose
•of voting upon a proposition to appropriate forty thousand dollars
($40,000) with which to build a new court house at the county seat of
said county, and to incur an indebtedness to that amount for that pur-
pose by issuing the necessary amount of bonds therefor, and the court
having fully examined the matter, and being satisfied that said peti-
tioners are legal voters and tax-payers, residing in said county, that
there is urgent need of a new court house in said county, and that forty
thousand dollars ($40,000) will create an indebtedness less than seven-
tenths of one per centum of the assessed valuation of said county.
It is therefore ordered by this court that a proposition be aijd the
same is hereby submitted to be voted upon and authorized by the quali-
fied voters of said Atchison County, at a special election to be held for
that purpose at the usual voting precincts of said county, on the 31st day
PUBLIC BUILDINGS. 971
of January, A. D., 1882, to incur an indebtedness of forty thousand dol-
lars ($40,003) to be used for the purpose of defraying the expense of
erecting a new court house at the county seat of said county, such court
house, when completed, not to cost exceeding forty thousand dollars
{$40,000), including all expenses of every nature and kind. The indebt-
edness to be incurred for building such court house shall be paid in the
bonds of said county, to be in denominations varying from one hundred
to five hundred dollars ($100 to $500), to be issued by the county court
as the exigencies upon the work of said building may require, and to
mature as follows, that is to say : Ten thousand dollars in three years ;
four thousand dollars respectively in four, five, six, seven and eight years ;
five thousand dollars in nine years and five thousand dollars in ten years
after dates of such bonds, in all eight installments ; all of said bonds to
be made payable at the office of the county treasurer of said county, in
lawful money of the United States, and each and all of said bonds to
bear interest from date at the rate of six per cent per annum, payable
semi-annually at the office of said county treasurer ; said interest to be
evidenced by coupons attached to each bond and numbered seriatim
from one to each number as will equal twice the number of years for
which said bonds shall be respectively issued. And all of which said
bonds shall be sold and disposed of. as now provided by law in such
cases, at not less than their par value. For the payment of which said
bonds as they shall fall due and the interest as aforesaid, the usual tax
levy of said county shall be increased as follows : Four cents on the
hundred dollars valuation shall be added annually to provide for the pay-
ment of interest, and six cents on the hundred dollars valuation shall be
added annually to create a sinking fund for the purpose of paying off the
principal of said bonds as they mature. At the special election to be
held as aforesaid, those of the qualified voters who favor the creation of
the indebtedness for the purpose aforesaid shall have written or printed
upon their ballots the following words : " Appropriation of forty thou-
sand dollars for the purpose of erecting court house — Yes." And those
who are opposed to the creation of said indebtedness shall have written
or printed upon their ballots the following words : " Appropriation of
forty thousand dollars for purpose of erecting court house — No." And
if it appear from the returns of such election, that two-thirds of the
qualified voters voting at such election voted in favor of incurring
said indebtedness by issuing such bonds, the county court of said county
at its first regular term, held after such election, shall make an order
reciting the election and the result of the vote, and directing the issue
of bonds for the amount of said debt in accordance with this order, and
shall at such term appoint some suitable person to superintend the erec-
tion of said building, according to the plans, drawings and specifications
adopted and selected by the court, and which shall be and remain on file
in the office of the clerk of this court during the twenty days next pre-
ceding the day of such election. Said superintendent shall, with the
court, proceed to let the contract or contracts for erection of said build-
ing in the manner prescribed by law, requiring all contractors to give
bond with security, to be approved by this court, in double the amount
of their contracts.
It is further ordered by the court that notice of such election and of
the proceedings contained in this order be given by publication in the
972 HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
Atchison County Journal, the Atchison County Mail, the Sun, the Tar-
kio Blade and the Tarkio Republican, all newspapers published in said
county and state, for the period of twenty days next before the day of \
said election. A true copy. Attest. M. L. LEE,
[L. S.] Clerk of the County Court.
After ordering the special election above mentioned, the court
issued the following address to the people of the county :
To the Citizens of Atchison County: — At the regular November
term of the county court, a petition was presented, asking the erection
of fire-proof buildings for clerk's offices and safety vaults for the public
records. The law calling for such a proceeding was, to the court, a new
statute, our attention being called to it for the first time. Upon careful
examination, the court became well convinced not only that the situa-
tion of public affairs was such as to make such a proceeding necessary,
but that, under the law, it became our positive duty to carry it out or.
take some other step for the protection of the public property. An
order of appropriation was made, a superintendent appointed and the
matter continued until December 12, to which day the term of court
adjourned. In the meantime petitions were circulated remonstrating
against the measure,- or rather asking the court to rescind the order.
On the 1 2th these petitions were presented and the court allowed par-
ties time to fully discuss the matter pro and con, which was ably done.
The parties opposing the measure suggesting the building of a new
court house instead of the improvement contemplated by the court,
and promising to present a petition praying for a special election for
that purpose. The agitation calls forth much expression of public sen-
timent. Many who signed the remonstrance expressed themselves in
favor of building a new court house out and out, and others wrote the
words "new court house " opposite their names upon the paper. This
diversity of opinion as to the best manner of meeting an urgent neces-
sity, of necessity, placed the court in an embarassing situation.
The superintendent's report and plans now on the files of the court,
show that if new buildings are erected separate from the court house,
$3,500 will be required ; if new buildings are attached to the old court
house, with such other repairs as must be made, in order to that end,
$7,600 will be required, upon the outside only, which will leave the entire
inside of the building to be worked over and repaired at heavy expense.
In open court a workman was ordered to raise a part of the floor in the
court room, that the court might examine the condition of the joists,
which it did, and deem them unsafe. In company of Mr. Eckel, an
architect by profession, the court made thorough examination of the en-S
tire building, and found it to be in such an unsafe and dangerous condi-
tion, that we have no hesitancy in declaring that to attempt to hold cir*
cuit court in said building, with any considerably crowded house, would
be but little short of criminal negligence. The public records are piled
here and there, exposed to the mice and rats, the wear and tear of tossing
to and fro, new and old alike, in one general haphazard want of arrange-
ment and protection. The public school fund, amounting to $135,000
are secured by bonds and mortgages which must be kept at the court
house in this condition of things, more or less exposed. The entire pro-
bate records of the county, containing the evidence of the settlement of
PUBLIC BUILDINGS. 973
estates, involving thousands of dollars, as well as the bonds of adminis-
trators, executors and guardians, are badly exposed ; the records of the
entire landed interests of the county, together with the public law libra-
ries, are in the same condition.
The assessed valuation of the county is something over five and one-
half millions of dollars. Seventy-five cents on the one hundred dollars,
or the three-fourths of one per cent, will raise $41,250, or more than is
necessary to build a court house worthy of the people of this county,
and sufficiently commodious to protect her material interests.
An election has been ordered upon the petition of many tax-
paying citizens, and the court hopes that every legal voter who visits the
county seat between now and the day of election, will make careful
examination and learn for himself whether the condition of things is as
we have herein represented. Should this be done, we feel assured of the
result of the election.
Should the election carry, it will be the duty of the court to issue
bonds for the amount of money, running for a number of years, bearing
interest at not more than six per cent per annum ; after the first year
the court will have the option to pay off all, or a part of said bonds at
any time before maturity. Provided it is thought best to allow the
bonds to run for eight or ten years before paying them ; it will be the
duty of the court each year to levy a small proportional part of the
amount thereof as a sinking fund with which to pay them off in the end.
By adopting this plan the tax would scarcely be felt.
Should the court be compelled to repair the old building, which
must of necessity be done, if the election fails to carry, the amount ot
money for that purpose will be an instantaneous draft upon the treasury.
Speaking as citizens and tax payers only, we deem it far wiser to
build anew than to expend the necessary amount of money to repair the
old building and provide safe depository for the records of the county
and have nothing but an old dilapidated building in the end.
The court desires to take no step in a measure so important with-
out the full approbation of all good citizens in every section of the county,
but should the people decide not to build a new court house, we see no
honorable means of escape from the necessity of protecting and preserv-
ing the public property, and making such repairs upon the old court
house as will render it reasonably safe. We have reached this con-
clusion through careful study of the law, and a personal examination ot
,the facts, and cannot clear our consciences as public servants by any
other course.
J. T. WELLS, President.
William Campton, ) a
Albert Gerdes, \ Assoc,ates-
The election occurred on the 31st day of January, 1882, as ordered
by the court. The whole number of votes cast was 2,918 ; the number
of votes in favor of the proposition, was 1,878, and the number against
it was 1,040. The law required a two-thirds majority, to carry the prop-
osition to build, or in round numbers, 1,945 votes. It failed therefore,
in round numbers by sixty-eight votes.
974
HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
We give below the official vote of every precinct in the county
on the proposition to erect a new court house in this county, as polled
at the election on Tuesday, January 31, 1882 :
TOWNSHIPS.
YES. I NO.
Clay
E. Clark
W.Clark
Benton
Templeton . . .
Nishnebotna.
W. Buchanan
E. Buchanan .
Polk
Lincoln
E. Tarkio. . . .
W. Tarkio. . . .
Dale
563
95
195
132
147
120
38
55
278
135
16
31
73
74
50
H
79
1
4
40
247
139
246
146
Total 1878 104a
1040
Majority for 838
Number of votes necessary to carry the proposition, 1946. Actual
majority No — 68.
Not satisfied with the result of the first election, another petition
was presented to the county court on the 9th day of February, 1882,
nine days after the first election, containing the names of 1,090 tax-
payers, asking that body to submit the proposition again to the people
of voting the sum of forty thousand dollars for the erection of a court
house at Rock Port.
After due consideration, another special election was ordered, to be
held on the 7th day of March, 1882. Following will be found the order
of the court in reference thereto :
" SPECIAL ELECTION.
Now, on this 9th day of February, A. D. 1882, during the regular
February term of this court for that year, comes David McNeal, John
Stoner, A. S. Noblitt, Simpson Finnell, W. B. Houts, Thomas H. Oliver,
H. L. Davis, Harmon Cooper, R. M. Rhodes, P. A. Thompson, James
W. Granger, W. T. Hunt, Sam Proud and one thousand and seventy-
seven others, the same being more than one hundred in number of the
qualified voters, who are taxpayers, residing in Atchison County, State
of Missouri, and present to this court their petition in writing, by them
duly s'igned, praying the court to call a special election for the purpose
PUBLIC BUILDINGS. 975
of voting upon a proposition to appropriate forty thousand dollars
($40,000) with which to build a new court house at the county seat of
said county, and to incur an indebtedness to that amount for that pur-
pose by issuing the necessary amount of bonds therefor, and the court
having fully examined the matter and being satisfied that said petition-
ers are legal voters and taxpayers residing in said county, that there is
urgent need of a new court house in said county, and that forty thou-
sand dollars ($40,000) will create an indebtedness less than seven-
tenths of one per centum of the assessed valuation of said county.
It is therefore ordered by this court that a proposition be and the
same is hereby submitted to be voted upon and authorized by the
qualified voters of said Atchison County, at a special election to be
held for that purpose at the usual voting precincts of said county, on
Tuesday, the 7th day of March, A. D. 1882, to incur an indebtedness of
forty thousand dollars ($40,000) to be used for the purpose of defraying
the expense of erecting a new court house at the county seat of said
county, such court house when completed not to cost exceeding forty
thousand dollars ($40,000) including all expenses of every nature and
kind.
The indebtedness to be incurred for building such court house shall
be paid in the bonds of said county, to be of denominations varying
from one hundred to five hundred dollars ($100 to $500), to be issued
by the county court, as the exigencies of the work upon said building
may require, and to mature as follows, that is to say : Five thousand
doUars ($5,000) in one year ; seven thousand dollars ($7,000) respectively
in two, three, four, five and six years after the dates of such bonds — in
all, six installments ; all of said bonds to be made payable at the office
of the county treasurer of said county in lawful money of the United
States, and each and all of said bonds to bear interest from date at the
rate of six per cent per annum, payable semi-annually at the office of
said county treasurer ; said interest to be evidenced by coupons attached
to each bond and numbered seriatim from one to such number as will
equal twice the number of years for which said bonds shall be respect-
ively issued. And all of which said bonds shall be sold and disposed of
as now provided by law in such cases, at not less than their par value.
For the payment of which said- bonds as they shall fall due and the inter-
est as aforesaid, the usual tax levy of said county shall be increased as
follows :
Nine cents and one mill on the hundred dollars valuation shall be
added to provide for the payment of the principal, and four cents and
four mills on the hundred dollars valuation shall be added to provide for
the payment of the interest for the first year. Eleven cents on the hun-
dred dollars valuation shall be added annually thereafter to create a
sinking fund for the purpose of paying off the principal of said bonds as
they mature, and three cents and five mills on the hundred dollars valu-
ation shall be added to provide for the payment of the interest for the
second year.
And two cents and eight mills on the hundred dollars valuation
shall be added to provide for the payment of the interest for the third
year.
And two cents and one mill on the hundred dollars valuation shall
be added to provide for the payment of the interest for the fourth year.
97^ HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
And one cent and four mills on the hundred dollars valuation shall
be added to provide for the payment of the interest for the fifth year.
And seven mills on the hundred dollars valuation shall be added to
provide for the payment of the interest for the sixth year.
At the special election to be held as aforesaid, those of the quali-
fied voters who favor the creation of the indebtedness for the purpose
aforesaid, shall have written or printed upon their ballots the following
words, "Appropriation of forty thousand dollars for the purpose of erect-
ing Court House— Yes." And those who are opposed to the creation of
said indebtedness shall have written or printed upon their ballots the
following words, "Appropriation of forty thousand dollars for purpose of
erecting Court House — No."
And if it appear from the returns of such election, that two-thirds
of the qualified voters voting at such election, voted in favor of incurring
said indebtedness by issuing such bonds, the county court of said county
at its first regular term, held after such election, shall make an order
reciting the election and the result of the vote, and directing the issue
of bonds for the amount of said debt, in accordance with this order, and
shall at such term appoint some suitable person to superintend the erec-
tion of said building according to the plans, drawings and specifications
adopted and selected by the court, and which shall be and remain on file
in the office of the clerk of this court, during the twenty days next pre-
ceding the day of such election.
Said superintendent shall with the court proceed to let the contract
or contracts for the erection of said building in the manner prescribed
by law, requiring all contractors to give bond with security to be
approved by this court, in double the amount of their contracts.
It is further ordered by the court that notice of such election, and of
the proceedings contained in this order, be given by publication in the
Sun, a newspaper published in said county and state, for the period of
twentv days next before the day of said election. A true copy.
Attest: M. L. LEE,
[L. S.] Clerk of the County Court.
After making the above order, the court issued another address to
the people setting forth their reasons for having done so. The follow-
ing is the address of the court :
At the recent court house election in this county, there were 1,878
ballots favoring the proposition, and 1,040 opposed.
At the regular February term of our court another petition is pre-
sented, signed by more than 1,040 legal voters, tax paying citizens of
the county, praying another special election upon the proposition. As we
understand it, one hundred petitioners may petition the court at any
regular term of the court, and the court must submit the proposition in
compliance with such petition. Actuated by the result of the last elec-
tion, the report of the last grand jury, and realizing that such building
when built must be done by the sovereign authority of the people, we
have fixed the day of the election at the earliest possible day in order
that the citizens engaged in agricultural pursuits may fully represent
their desires in the matter without too great interference with their
spring work.
PUBLIC BUILDINGS. 977
The costs of these special elections must be paid out of the county-
treasury, but the expenses to that end we deem light and trifling com-
pared with the regular running monthly expense of our present condi-
tion of things. We have no word of reproach for anyone for the course
pursued at the last election. As a grand jury taken from the body of
the people, have given in a sworn report upon our old court house, and
in that report have suggested the course in their judgment we should
pursue, and as the men who composed the grand jury are all well known
in various parts of the county, we do not desire to add anything, or call
any further attention to our present deplorable condition.
In order to meet the best view of the people enmass, as nearly as
possible, as best we have been able to ascertain those views, we have
changed the time of the indebtedness from ten to six years and have
the matter so arranged that the levy of taxes for each year will
only be sufficient to pay the interest and the bonds maturing for that
year ; by this means as the money comes into the treasury it will be
paid out in the liquidation of the debt from year to year, and will not
accumulate and lay idle in the treasury.
We have the honor to be your well-wishing but humble servants,
J. T. WELLS, President.
William Campton, \ .
Albert Ge"rdes, f Associates-
In the meantime the friends of the two rival towns were busy, pre-
paring for the second struggle, which was to occur on March 7. The
newspapers of the respective places did much to fire the hearts of their
followers and sympathisers, and the citizens who were in the habit of
public speaking canvassed the county in every direction and addressed
the people upon the all-important issues which were then pending. Feb-
ruary 25, 1882, the town of Tarkio, through its agents, J. H. Davis and
James Anderson, made oath to the following, which appeared in an extra
of that date, issued by the Tarkio Republican :
"This 25th day of February, 1882, personally appeared before me
James Anderson and J. H. Davis, and, being first duly sworn, on their
oaths state that they, on the 25th day of February, 1882, presented
to M. L. Lee, clerk of the County Court of Atchison County, for filing,
a certain bond guaranteeing che building of a court house at Tarkio,
together with the plans and specifications accompanying the same, and
that M. L. Lee refused to place the same on record, or file the same
among the records of his office or to certify to the receipt of the same
and contents thereof as a private citizen, or even give a receipt for the
same to us, and on this refusal we left the bond and plans and specifica-
tions with him and in his care and custody. JAMES ANDERSON,
J. H. DAVIS.
Subscribed and sworn to before me this 25th day of February, 1882.
[Seal.] S. P. BAILEY,
Com. expires Oct. 30, 1883. Notary Public."
Following were the comments of the editor of that paper :
"As will be seen from the above, we have been acting in perfect
good faith. The Rock Port papers and speakers, during the other can-
62
978 HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
vass, told the people all over the county that we had no bond and that
we never intended to file a bond, and when we published a copy of the
bond they made numerous objections to its validity. We changed the
bond somewhat in order to quiet their objections, and as you will per-
ceive Ex-Gov. Hall, one of the most eminent jurists in the state, certi-
fies that it will bind all parties executing or signing it. The county
clerk, of Rock Port, not of Atchison County, refused to file it ; refused
to give even a receipt for it. Actions speak louder than words. They
well knew that the bond was as nearly perfect as human ingenuity and
skill could make it, and that their only hope lay in refusing to all6w it
to be filed at all. We couldn't compel him by force of arms to make
it a matter of record, therefore the bond, together with the plans and
specifications of a better court house than the forty thousand dollar
building which they purposed erecting, were left in the clerk's office.
The signers of the bond will wait upon the clerk next Monday, the
27th inst., and insist on the bond being filed. In case of refusal a second
time, legal steps will be taken to compel him to act. In case he con-
sents, a copy of the bond, with his certificate, will be published immedi-
ately, so that all can see it. The plans and specifications are entirely
too lengthy to publish, but a synopsis will be given. The bond, as pub-
lished in this extra, is an exact copy of the original bond now in the
county clerk's office."
Below will be found the bond which was contained in the same
extra, and also the opinion of Willard P. Hall :
THE BOND.
Know All Men by These Presents:
That we, the undersigned, in consideration of the sum of one dollar
paid to us, and for other considerations and conditions hereunder written,
are bound and indebted to Atchison County, in the State of Missouri, in
the sum of forty thousand dollars, for the payment of which, well and :
truly, we hereby jointly and severally bind ourselves, our heirs, execu- ;
tors and administrators.
Witness our hands and seals, this 20th day of February, A. D. 1882.
The conditions of this bond are such that if within twelve months
after the legal and final removal of the county seat of justice of said Atch-
ison County, from its present location, to, and location permanently, by
due course of law, within the present limits of the town of Tarkio, pur-
suant to a vote of the citizens and legal voters of said county at the next
general election held in said county, the undersigned shall erect and
deliver to said county finished and complete, a court house of the dimen-J
sions and materials and built according to the plans and specifications'
hereto attached, and made part hereof as fully as if written at length'
herein, and with said building deliver to said county, through its com-
missioner or agent, a deed conveying in fee simple title and free from all]
liens, charges or claims, the ground upon which such building shall be
located, a piece of land 220 feet by 206 feet, within said town of Tarkio,
to be selected and conveyed in the manner provided by law in such
cases, and shall deliver said ground and building to said county free of;
cost, and at the sole cost of these obligors, then these obligations shall
PUBLIC BUILDINGS. <J79>
be void, otherwise to remain of force. This obligation to be delivered
into the custody of the clerk of the County Court of said county before
said election.
C. E. PERKINS,
per H. B. SCOTT, [SEAL.]
D. RANKIN, [seal.]
D. A. MOORE, [seal.]
J. F. HANNA, [seal.]
R. M. STEVENSON, [seal.]
J. A. RANKIN, [seal.]
A. CRAIG, [seal.]
W. A. RANKIN. [seal.]
W. O. MILLER, [seal.]
W. H. VAN LEUVEN, [seal.]
W. F. RANKIN, [seal.]
JOHN P. STEVENSON, [seal.];
EX-GOVERNOR HALL'S OPINION OF THE BOND.
"The within bond is in due form, and in my opinion, will bind all
those who may execute it." WILLARD P. HALL, [seal.]
On the 27th day of February, 1882, appeared the following extra,
issued by the Atchison Comity Journal, published at Rock Port, review-
ing the bond referred to, and containing also the statement and affidavit
of M. L. Lee, County Clerk of Atchison County :
THE TARKIO BOND AGAIN.
Know All Men by These Presents :
That we, the undersigned, in consideration of the sum of one dollar
paid to us, and for other considerations hereunder written, are bound and
indebted to Atchison County, in the State of Missouri, in the sum of
forty thousand dollars, for the payment of which well and truly, we hereby
jointly and severally bind ourselves, our heirs, executors and adminis-
trators.
Witness our hands and seals this 20th day of February, A. D. 1882.
The conditions of this bond are such that if within twelve months
after the legal and final removal of the county seat of justice of said
Atchison County from its present location to, and location permanently
by due course of law, within the present limits of the town of Tarkio,
pursuant to a vote of the citizens and legal voters of said county at the
next general election held in said county, the undersigned shall erect
and deliver to said county, finished and completed, a court house of the
dimensions and materials and built according to the plans and specifi-
cations hereto attached and made part hereof, as fully as if written at
length herein, and, with said building, deliver to said county, through its
commissioner or agent, a deed conveying in fee simple title, and free
from all liens, charges or claims, the ground upon which such building
shall be located, viz : A piece of land 220 feet by 206 feet within the
town of Tarkio, to be selected and conveyed in the manner provided by
980
HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
law in such cases, and shall deliver said ground and building to said
county free of cost, and at the sole cost of these obligors ; then this
obligation shall be void, otherwise to remain in force.
This obligation to be delivered into custody of the clerk of the
county court of said county before said election.
C. E. PERKINS,
Per H. B. SCOTT, [SEAL.
D. RANKIN, [seal.
D. W. MOORE, [seal.
J. F. HANNA, [seal.
R. M. STEVENSON, [seal.
J. A. RANKIN, [seal.
A. CRAIG, [seal.
W. A. RANKIN, [seal.
W. O. MILLER. [seal.
W. H. VAN LEUVEN, [seal.
W. F. RANKIN, [seal.
IOHN P. STEVENSON, [seal.
, The following is the endorsement on the back of the bond :
"The within bond is in due form, and, in my opinion, will bind all
those who execute it. WILLIARD P. HALL."
That the above is a clumsy device to hoodwink and deceive the
voters, must be evident to every man who carefully reads the document.
There is form enough about the instrument, in fact, more form than
anything else — formality and validity are very different things.
First — Even if the bond were not void as against public policy, it is
not executed and cannot be executed until delivered, for a bond must be
** signed, sealed and delivered " before it is fully executed, and it can not 1
be delivered unless some one is authorized to accept it. Neither the
county clerk nor the county court would have a right to accept a propo-
sition to move its county seat, for a county seat can not be moved except
at a general election, by two-thirds of the qualified voters. So the bond
could not be accepted until the two-third vote is had, and consequently
is not yet executed and is not a complete bond. So that Mr. Hall is
safe enough when he says " The bond will bind those who execute it," forj
the reason that it is not and can not be executed.
Second — If it be considered a proposition it is no better, for a prop-
osition is not a contract until it is accepted, and if valid in every other
respect, which is denied, yet it could not be accepted until next general
election, and that too, by a two-thirds vote, and everyone knows enough
of business to know that a proposition can be withdrawn at any time up
to the last minute before the other party accepts it. So there is nothing
to prevent any or every man from withdrawing from the bond at anyj
time before two-thirds of the voters vote to move the county seat.
Third — With two or three exceptions, there is no man on the bond
able to pay the $40,000 without breaking him up entirely, yet each one
binds himself, jointly and severally, for the entire amount. Is it likely
they would sign such a bond if they had the slightest idea of having tea
pay it ?
Fourth — There are not now, and never were, any plans or specifica-
tions attached to the bond as recited. So they. are not after all bound
PUBLIC BUILDINGS. 98a
to build any particular kind of a house, of any particular size nor of any
particular value. True, Mr. Scott, the agent of the town site company,
on the 22d of February, brought to Tarkio, a set of cheap, incomplete
plans and specifications that no mechanic could work by, to use as cam-
paign documents, but they are not now, and never have been, attached
to the pretended bond.
Fifth — Without mentioning numerous other objections that could
be raised to the bond, it must be evident to every man who has thought
at all upon the subject, that the county seat can not be moved at the
next general election, which will be held next fall, and nobody knows
this better than the men who signed the bond ; yet the bond by its own
terms is void\i the county seat is not then moved. Undoubtedly they
know they are s:fe in signing such a bond ; but why did they sign it at
all ? There can be but one answer. Their only object is, if possible, to
deceive the people and induce them to vote against the proposition.
The motive is either not an honest one, or the parties to the measure
are indulging in mere child's play. Any school district or village could
make such a proposition, and any man could with impunity sign such a
bond.
There is no more to prevent the makers of this instrument from
withdrawing and destroying it as soon as the present election is over,
than there was to prevent them from destroying the one they pretended
to have filed prior to the last election.
Since printing the above the Tarkio people have come in and with-
drawn their bond. For further particulars see statement of Mr. Lee.
ROCK PORT, Mo., February 27, 1882.
To the People of Atchison County : In an extra issued by the Tarkio
Republican, under date of February 25, 1 am charged with having refused
to receive from Messrs. J. H. Davis and James Anderson, certain papers
purporting to be a bond and plans and specifications for a building at
Tarkio, to be erected there for the purpose of a court house.
Now, in justice to myself and the people of the county, it is proper
for me to make the following statements of the facts in the matter, under
oath, as follows. Very respectfully, M. L. LEE.
ss.
State of Missouri, j
County of Atchison. J
I, M. L. Lee, upon my oath, state that I am the clerk of the County
Court of said county, that on the 25th day of February, 1882, James
Anderson and John H. Davis came to my office and brought with them
two papers and a roll, one paper purporting to be a bond to build a court
house, on condition that the county seat was removed to Tarkio at the
next general„election — another purporting to be specification for a court
house at Tarkio, and the roll purporting to be plans for such court house,
and they required me as clerk to file and certify to the bond. I informed
them that I knew of no law authorizing me to receive or file such papers.,
and that I could not see that they had anything to do with the county
business, I declined therefore to file them in an official capacity, but told
Anderson that I would take charge of the papers as an individual and
982
HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
use due diligence in taking care of the same and that I would present
them to the County Court for their action when they met again, but
declined to do anything further with the papers, considering them, as I
then did and still do, the private property of parties owning or control-
ing them. On the 27th day of February, following, James Anderson and
two other persons I did not then know, but who I afterward learned were
Mr. Rankin and Mr. Miller, appeared again and Anderson requested me
to file the papers, but I still insisted that I knew no law authorizing the
proceeding, and Mr. Anderson, though an attorney, failed to offer any
law or authority for filing them. He then says : "You folks say the court
house is liable at any time to fall down and burn up, and so I guess the
papers will be safer in our hands than in yours, and I think we had bet-
ter take charge of fhem," or words to that effect. I thereupon showed
him where the papers were in the safe and he took possession of and car-
ried them all away with him from my office. Subscribed and sworn to
before me this 27th day of February, 1882.
STOKELEY S. HUGHES, Notary Public.
Commission expires November 11, 1882.
The bond mentioned in the Tarkio Republican extra was submitted
by the people of Rock Port to Ex-Governor Woodson, Hon. John S.
Crosby and Vinton Pike, Esq., of St. Joseph, Missouri, and their
opinions solicited as to its validity. On the 28th day of February,
1882, these gentlemen submitted their opinion as follows :
" After duly considering the questions presented and an examina-
tion of the authorities upon the subject, we answer :
First — That it does not purport to be a contract between the
county of Atchison and the persons who sign the bond. It is simply a
proposition to the county, not accepted by it, and one which the county
has no power to accept. It is then, for two reasons at least, worthless,
first, because no consideration is expressed in it — more than a nominal
one — and consequently must be regarded as voluntary ; second, because
it cannot be binding upon the obligors until accepted by the county,
even if there were a sufficient consideration to support it. Conse-
quently the persons signing said bond may repudiate it at any time
before it is accepted and acted upon in such a manner as to estop the
obligors from denying its binding force.
But there is another objection to the bond, that we regard as
insurmountable and that would always prevent its legal enforcement,
independent of the reasons already suggested. Hence, \ve hold in the
second place, that no such obligation or agreement as that embraced in
the bond under consideration could under any circumstances be made
binding upon the bondsmen. The very essence of the agreement is
contrary to public policy and such as to render the pretended obliga-
tion utterly void.
The bond recites: "The conditions of this bond are such that if
within twelve months after the legal and final removal of the county
seat of justice of said Atchison County from its present location to,
and location permanently, in due course of law," etc., " pursuant to
vote of the citizens and legal voters of said county at the next general
•election," etc., "the undersigned shall erect and deliver to said county
PUBLIC BUILDINGS. 983
finished and completed a court house" of dimensions described, "then
this obligation to be void." Disguise the matter as you may, it is
patent on the face of the bond that it is intended as a bribe, and only a
bribe, to induce the voters of Atchison County to change the location
of the seat of justice.
County seats can only under the law be changed by the qualified
voters of the county, and the same laws, qualifications and rules that
govern in respect to the election of public officers at a general election
are applicable to the election of a permanent county seat. Persons not
possessing the constitutional qualifications of a voter for senators, rep-
resentatives, etc., have no right to vote that this or that named place
shall be the county seat. And the casting of illegal or fraudulent votes
in favor of, or against a change of the county seat of Atchison County
would vitiate the selection of a county seat, just as certainly, and upon
the same terms, as the casting of such votes would vitiate any other
election. All votes in favor of a change of the county seat to Tarkio,
which should be induced by the bond under consideration would be
clearly illegal and void, and as the only purport and object of the bond
is to induce such votes, it is illegal and also void and the courts do not
permit actions to be maintained upon such obligations.
That we are correct in these views will be seen by reference to the
authorities, some of which are here cited :
In the case of the State of Wisconsin on the relation of J. E. Newell
against Purdy, reported in 36th Vol. Wisconsin Reports 213, it appeared
that Newell was a candidate at a county election in Wisconsin, for the
office of county judge, the salary of which was fixed by law at $1,000.
Newell, in a published card, which was placed in the hands of voters
generally, offered and pledged to perform the services required by said
office for $700 a year, in case the voters would elect him to the office.
In a subsequent contest between him and his opponent at the election
(Purdy) the supreme court of Wisconsin held that the offer of Newell
"was within the spirit of the laws of bribery."
The court said: "The proposition of the relator (Newell) to the
electors of the county, was simply an offer that if they would elect him
county judge, he would give the county $300 per annum " — the differ-
ence between the salary fixed by law, and the salary for which he pro-
posed to serve.
After citing and quoting many authorities to show that the law
denounces such an offer as Newell's as unlawful, the court uses this lan-
guage: "The grounds upon which this doctrine is based, are so clearly
and fully stated in the above extracts from the authorities, that it seems
unnecessary to repeat them. Indeed, every intelligent person knows
that free, unbiased, and (in the language of some of the books) indifferent
elections, are absolutely essential to the existence of free institutions."
Among the cases cited by the court, illustrating the principle
announced by it, is the following :
"A very notable case in which the same principle was applied by
the Legislature of Massachusetts, occurred in the year 18 10. It seems
that certain towns were each entitled to several representatives in the
legislature, and, among them the town of Gloucester was entitled to six
representatives. Each town was required by law to pay its own mem-
ber, and for economical reasons the town of Gloucester usually returned
984 HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
but two instead of six. For political reasons it was thought desirable
that the town should elect a full delegation, and therefore certain indi-
viduals, with a view to induce the town to do so, gave a bond for the use
of the inhabitants, conditioned that the whole expense of a full repre-
sentation should not exceed the pay of two members, and six members
were acordingly elected. Although the members elected had no agency
in procuring the bond to be given, the house of representatives, by a vote
of 224 to 125, declared the election void, and the seats of the whole del-
egation from Gloucester vacated. (Reports of Controverted Election
Cases, by Cashing, Story & Josslyn (Massachusetts) 97, Gloucester Case).
This decision by the highest court in Wisconsin, has been approved
and adopted by the supreme court of this state, in the recent case of
State on the relation of the attorney general against Collier, reported in
72 Missouri Report, page 13, in which a similar question arose. In
referring to the Wisconsin case, our court quotes and approves the fol-
lowing language :
"The doctrines which we think established by the foregoing author-
ities, and which we believe to be sound in principle, is that a vote given
for a candidate for a public office, in consideration of his promise in case
he shall be elected to donate a sum of money, or other valuable thing to
a third party, whether such party be an individual, a county, or any
other corporation, is void."
In the case of Webb vs. Albertson, decided by the Supreme Court
of New York, and reported in Fourth Barbour's Reports, page 51, a
question similar to the one we are considering, was presented. It was
an action brought upon a bond, " taken in the name of the commission-
ers of highways of the town, not for their own benefit individually, but
for the benefit of the town in its corporate capacity, and was intended, as
would seem, from the recitals, and from the averments in the declaration,
to relieve the taxable inhabitants from the payment of a tax for a public
improvement ;" provided the highway in question was opened 01
extended, or extended in a particular way, to suit the desires of the
obligors in the bond. Of this bond the court said : " In all of this pro-
ceeding the commissioners ought to have no other inducement for action
than their regard for the public good. It is their duty to decide whethei
public convenience requires a new road or highway to be laid out or not.
They have no business to be tampering with parties and making condi-
tions. They have no right to say that if they order a highway to be laid
out, individuals shall assume or become bound to pay the expense. If
the convenience or interest of the public require it, and the commis-
sioners are honestly of that opinion, the expense should be left where
the law places it, a public charge upon the town. On the other hand, if,
in the opinion of the commissioners, it does not require the laying out
of a new road, as applied for, they ought not to swerve from their opin-
ions by the offer of individuals to bear fhe expense. Such a step would
look very much like surrendering their judgments and opinions to the
highest bidder."
In the case of the Pacific Railroad Company vs. Seely, 45 Missouri
Reports, page 212, the Supreme Court of this state held that an agree-
ment between a person and railway corporation, that the corporation
would locate a freight and passenger depot on his land, was void
against the public policy ; that the public had an interest in having the
PUBLIC BUILDINGS. 985
fittest location selected, and that the corporation had no right to agree
to a location to suit the interest of individuals. The court said : " It is
easy to perceive how such a transaction might be perverted so as to
operate most injuriously to the public. Speculators and land proprie-
tors, for the purpose of enhancing their property, would always be on
hand to obtain locations and forcing people to their premises, regard-
less of the consideration, whether they were the most fit and con-
venient. And the companies tempted by the prospect of gain, would
accede to their propositions and thus the general welfare and good of
the public would be sacrificed to subserve mere private interests."
As we have before said, the county seat of Atchison County can
not be changed without an election by the legal voters of the county,
and, when called upon to vote at such election, the voters should be
controlled only by considerations of public interest and convenience.
But the proposition embraced in this bond disregards such considera-
tions, and all others, except the expense of erecting new buildings.
Stripped of the verbiage in which it is clothed, the proposition of the
signers of this bond to the taxpayers of Atchison County is simply
this :
" If you will vote to change the county seat from its present loca-
tion to Tarkio we will pay all the taxes required of you to build a court
house at the new seat."
Let us suppose the taxpayers of Atchison County should endeavor
to comply with the conditions imposed upon them by the proposition of
the signers of this bond. To do so an election must be held and the
removal of the county seat authorized by the requisite majority of the
legal voters of the county. The county seat is then formally removed
to and established at Tarkio. A new court house must be erected at
that place, and let us suppose further that the signers of this bond fail
and refuse to "erect and deliver" to the county the new court house.
What would be the county's remedy ? It could not compel them to build ;
it could only bring an action for damages for breach of the bond. What
could the county show in its behalf ? It would have lost nothing by
reason of the removal, or have paid nothing for the agreement contained
in the bond. The only consideration, therefore, which the county could
show would be that the taxpayers of the county had been induced by
the execution of the bond to vote for the removal and by reason of such
inducement the county seat had been removed. The county would then
be in the attitude of alleging that its taxpayers had been bribed to vote,
so as to comply with the wishes, and subserve the interests of the sign-
ers of the bond, and of asking damages for failure to deliver the consid-
eration for their votes. Such a proposition is too absurd to require
further argument or illustration to refute it.
SILAS WOODSON,
JOHN S. CROSBY,
VINTON PIKE.
DEFEATED.
The election occurred on the 7th day of March, 1882, as ordered,
and notwithstanding the large vote polled, and the general interest taken
in it, the proposition was again defeated by thirty-seven votes. The
Rock Port Sun of March 8th, in speaking of that election, said :
986
HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY,
" Once more the people have been defeated. The great body of the
tax payers, the unterrified sovereigns, came nobly to the front, but land-
lordism and the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad met them at
the polls and the result is, the will of the great majority is strangled out.
But we'll hold the fort. We have enlisted for the war. We want to pro-
claim that our motto will be, " Lay on McDuff." We represent the best
interests of the county and will never bow down and do the bidding of
railroad kings and grasping landlords. It is high time the people were
aroused to a realization of the true situation. Following is the result :
TOWNSHIPS.
YES.
NO.
Clay
601
125
228
165
173
157
6l
46
289
II
IOI
13
34
IOI
W. Clark
15
106
Fairfax Precinct
Benton
Templeton
14
77
14
Nishnebotna
E. Buchanan
W. Buchanan
Polk
M. . .
40
E. Lincoln
95
187
W. Lincoln
Colfax
140
Tarkio
267
Dale
153
Total
2105
1 108
Majority ....
37
.
The vote shows an increase over the last election of 295.
We simply insert the above to show the manner in which the defeat
of the proposition to vote the $40,000 and the building of the court
house was received by the papers and people of Rock Port. Of course
the people of Tarkio, and its friends, were elated at the result, not
because the question of the removal of the county seat to Tarkio had
thereby been settled or even impliedly determined, but because the vote
taken showed that the new courthouse was not to be erected yet awhile,
which meant to them — not at Rock Port.
CONCLUSIONS.
From these orders and controversies involved in the efforts of 188 1
and 1882, to erect a second court house at Rock Port, we draw the fol-
lowing conclusions :
First — That the building heretofore in use has for some time past
been insufficient and unsafe for both persons and property.
PUBLIC BUILDINGS. 987
Second — That the county -court, believing it to be their duty, under
the Statutes of the State, so far as possible to protect the valuable
records of the county from destruction, loss or injury, undertook to pro-
vide, as far as they could reasonably do, with the revenues at their com-
mand, for the protection of the county records and property, by building
fire-proof clerk's offices and vaults.
Third — That a rivalry had sprung up between the new town of
Tarkio, on the Tarkio Valley Railroad, and the old county seat, growing
out of the hope of the former place being able some time to remove the
county seat from Rock Port to Tarkio, so that while perhaps a large
majority of the people of the county actually preferred building a new
court house, yet very likely the opposition would have taken no tangible
form, but for the special exertions of the people of Tarkio, who looked
upon the enterprise as inimical to their expected efforts towards moving
the county seat. The petition to the court to rescind the order to build
offices and vaults, was presented and argued with great force by the
attorneys and agents of Tarkio, and the order was as vigorously sus-
tained by the attorneys at Rock Port.
Fourth — The general discussion called forth among the people of
the county, led many to believe that the people were in favor of build-
ing a new and respectable court house, and as the ordinary revenue did
not seem to permit, a petition was presented in the manner required by
the constitution and laws of the state, requesting the court to submit to
the voters of the county, the question of incurring an extra indebtedness
of^ $40,000, to be used in building a court house at Rock Port, which was
accordingly done, the court fixing the day of election on January 31,
1882, and fixing the time of paying the proposed indebtedness at periods
ranging from three to ten years.
The contest, while ostensibly involving only the building of the
house by the means proposed, was really very bitterly fought upon the
county seat question. Though in most of the townships there were more
or less votes against the measure, yet it is plain enough on examining
the vote of the townships most interested in the respective towns, that
the opposition was not so much against a court house, as against one at
Rock Port. The majority in favor of the new court house was very large,
lacking only a few votes of the necessary two-thirds majority.
Fifth — The large majority of the first election in favor of the
proposition naturally led to the belief among the friends of the meas-
ure that the opposition would not very seriously urge any further their
county seat pretensions, as it took a two-thirds majority to move the
county seat, and the opposition to the court house in the first proposi-
tion had only been slightly over one-third of the votes of the county.
A second petition was presented and another election ordered and held
upon substantially the same terms, with the exception of shorter pay-
988 . HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
merits than the first election. The result was a largely increased vote,
both for and against the proposition to build, still lacking a few votes
of the necessary two-thirds majority. The last election was more bitter
than the first. In these contests David Rankin, C. E. Perkins and
other, being land owners in and about Tarkio, proposed to the people
of the county that they would build a new court house as good as the
one proposed at Rock Port, if the people would move the court house
there and offered bonds to that effect. The Rock Port people ques-
tioned the sincerity and legal morality of their proposition and the
validity of their proposed bonds. What the result may ultimately be
is hard to foretell. Certainly, while the people of Atchison County
may well feel proud of her fertility and natural resources, they are not
to be envied for the unpleasant and disastrous controversy which we
fear has only fairly begun.
COUNTY POOR FARM.
The county poor farm is located about one mile north of Rock Port,
on sections 21, 22, 27 and 28, containing about 200 acres. The first
tract of 103 acres was purchased from John W. Golden, on the 26th day
of February, 1875, at a cost of $4,767. The next tract of eighty acres
was purchased from the Miller estate (E. J. Miller), and twenty acres
have been added since. The entire farm, implements, expenses, etc.,
cost the county, during 1875 and 1876, about $14,000. The superintend-
ents of the poor farm have been J. B. Gray, A. S. Jones, John F. Hum
and Alexander Ely. The paupers average about seven persons annu-
ally. The farm is a good one, and in excellent repair. The house is
brick, and contains a sufficient number of rooms to accommodate the
paupers, who are well taken care of.
COUNTY JAILS.
The old jail at Linden was a rude structure, made of wood. The
present jail was built with the new court hpuse, after the county seat
was located at Rock Port. It is also of brick, and served its purpose
for many years after its erection, but the present requirements of the
county demand something more substantial, more commodious, better
ventilated, and more in keeping with the modern style of architecture.
«»^P@h^^^|^<<-x
CHAPTER XIX.
AGRICULTURE AND STOCK.
ATCHISON AS AN AGRICULTURAL COUNTY-CORN-WHEAT— BARLEY— LIVE STOCK— HOGS
CATTLE -- HEEP— THE PEOPLE— FRUIT INTEREST— LETTER OK R LYNN-ATCHI-
SON COUNTY AGRICULTURAL AND MECHANICAL ASSOCIATION— OFFICERS AND
DIRECTORS-FAIRS— SALE OF LOTS-PATRONS OF HUSBANDRY.
Among the agricultural counties of the state, there are none, all
things considered, that are superior to Atchison. In fact, in the produc-
tion of some of the cereals, the county ranks among the best to be found
anywhere, not even excepting the famous corn and wheat growing dis-
tricts in Illinois.
McLean County, Illinois, according to the United States Census
Report for 1880, produced 11,976,581 bushels of corn, which was more
than any other county in any of the states produced. To produce this
enormous yield, 297,191 acres were planted, which averaged a little more
than forty bushels per acre. The same number of acres in Atchison
County would have produced 13,012,106 bushels, or 2,035,525 bushels
more than the McLean County crop. There were in Atchison County*
in 1880, 113,589 acres in corn, which yielded per acre nearly forty-four
bushels, or 4,977,476 bushels in the aggregate. Nodaway is the only
county in the State of Missouri, that produced more corn than Atchison.
Nodaway, however, had nearly 46,000 acres more in corn than did Atch-
ison. To further show what Atchison County did in 1880, in the pro-
duction of corn, it is only necessary to say, that the corn crop was
larger than that produced in the following states and territories :
Bushels.
New Hampshire '.: 1,350,248
Rhode Island 372.967
California 1,993. 325
Colorado 455,9o8
Utah 163,342
Nevada 12,891
Washington Territory 39, 1 83
Oregon 1 26,862
Idaho 16,408
Montana 5,649
Arizona 34.746
Aggregating. 4,551,430
99° HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
Atchison County produced 4,977,476 bushels, or four hundred and
six thousand more bushels than eleven states and territories produced.
WHEAT.
The county seems to be better adapted to the growth of wheat than
any of the contiguous counties. The bluff land, being rather hilly, is
not generally cultivated, but the slopes from the bluffs to the bottoms
are very rich, owing much of its fertility to the marley "bluff" clays,
which have been washed from above. This land is excellent for wheat.
Mr. McDonald, living in the south part of township 66, states that in
i860, he raised twenty-eight bushels per acre, but the usual average is
eighteen bushels.
BARLEY,
Atchison County raises more barley than any other in the state, the
crop for 1880, being 62,589 bushels. Barley is by no means one of the
staple products of the county. Its cultivation, like the oat crop, may be
considered as a mere incident to successful farming. The acreage sown,
however, exhibits the perfect adaptability of the soil to its successful
growth, and shows what might be expected in this direction, if the
demand for this cereal in the market were greater and more urgent.
LIVE STOCK.
We have spoken in a former chapter of the abundant supply of
water that may be obtained in any part of the county, either from the
streams which flow the entire year, or from wells at a depth of from
eighteen to thirty feet. We have also mentioned the grasses, which
grow rapidly and in great luxuriance, and of their nutritious properties.
We have given in figures, the enormous yield of corn — reaching as it
does away up into the millions of bushels — and would now naturally
conclude that Atchison County was a favorable region for the growth of
live stock.
HOGS.
From the assessor's books for 1882, the present year, we find that
for that year, there were 57,429 hogs in the county, and comparing this
with other counties taken from the agricultural report of 1880, Atchison
County is the fourth in the state in the number of hogs, Nodaway,
Andrew and Ray each producing more than Atchison. The valuation of
these hogs $136,755, which is certainly a low estimate, when compared
to their real market price. Even this estimate, however, shows the large
revenue accruing to the farmers from this one source alone.
AGRICULTURE AND STOCK. 99 1
CATTLE.
The number raised in the county in 1881 was 32,826, which were
assessed at $136,735, being the same valuation set upon the hogs. In
1871 there were only 14,762 cattle in the county, which was less than
half the number now raised, and showing an increase in ten years of more
than fifty per cent.
SHEEP.
The growth and care of sheep have engaged the attention of the
farmer to only a limited extent. There are no reasons, however, why
the county is not as well adapted to sheep raising as any other county in
Northwestern Missouri, and we believe the day is not far distant when
it will be made more of a specialty. The number of sheep in the county
is less than 7,000.
THE PEOPLE.
The population of Atchison County represents all the leading west-
ern and middle states, as well as some of the nationalities of the old
world, among whom are large settlements of Germans and Irish, consti-
tuting a people sufficiently homogenious in habits, thoughts and modes
of life, not only to make them proud of their county, but to cause them
to labor unitedly for their common interest and their common welfare.
FRUIT INTERESTS.
The growing of fruit in Atchison County is not so far advanced,
neither is it so general as in Holt. The orchards there are older and
more numerous, and the success with which fruit growers met in their
earliest attempts in this direction, induced farmers to turn their atten-
tion to the planting and cultivation, especially of apple orchards, and
the result is, that Holt County now ranks among the best fruit counties
of Northwest Missouri.
There are a number of good orchards in Atchison County, and in the
course of a few years these will be multiplied, as experience has demon-
strated that the climate and soil are as well adapted to fruit growing
as other counties similarly located. Below will be found an exceedingly
interesting letter from Mr. R. Lynn, of Atchison County, who has had
many years experience as a nurseryman and fruit grower. Among fruits,
he treats of the apple as being the surest and the best paying, while
the peaches and small fruit, although hardly rugged enough to with-
stand the severe winters to which this climate is subject, will compensate
for the outlay of labor and expense of planting by the yield of a single
good crop:
992 HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
FRUIT GROWING ON THE OPEN PRAIRIES IN NORTHWEST MISSOURI.
To the Missouri Horticultural Society :
Gentlemen — I do not propose in this paper to give an essay on
horticulture, but merely a report of my experience and observation on
fruit growing on the open prairies of Northwest Missouri.
Twelve years ago I left my narrow acres of hard clay (the scene of
twenty years of diligent toil and close habits) and was carried out here
on a westward wave to broader fields and more generous soil. After
bidding adieu to kindred hearts and kind neighbors, my chief regret was
for the flourishing young orchard I had planted among the stumps six-
teen years before, which I had underdrained, subsoiled, fertilized, washed
and pruned, till every tree was a crony and every limb an acquaintance,
whcse yearly tribute of St. Lawrence and Snows, Rambos and Russets,
Pippins and Greenings, Baldwins and Spys were the delight of my eyes,
and the cause of a trifle of conscious pride.
I came here to make a home, and "what is home without an
orchard ?" But to my frequent inquiry of the old settlers, "How does
fruit grow on the prairies ?" the almost invariable reply was : " Trees
may grow on the prairies ; but if you want fruit, you will have to go
into the timber." However, I was charmed with these beautiful, rich
rolling pastures, dotted with springs and checkered with perpetual rivu-
lets ; their fertile soil a fathom deep, already subsoiled and under-
drained by the hand of nature. After twelve years acquaintance, I am
charmed still. For with all the other bounties of nature, she has yielded
me a bountiful supply of choice fruits.
I first inclosed sixteen acres, and planted it with fruit and forest
trees. On the first appearance of fruit, I planted ten acres more.
THE APPLE.
As the apple is more important than any other, or all other fruits,
I shall give it the most attention. It may be true that trees do not bear
as young on the prairies as they do in the timber, or on the thin soils of
the east ; but they grow faster, make as mature wood, and are as free
from all accidents of climate or of insects as they are anyurhere east of
the Rocky Mountains. And in six to ten years they are prepared, by
their size and vigor, to bear a larger crop than they could at that age
with a slower growth. I have not lost one per cent of apple trees here
yet by climate or insects.
I cannot report as large a crop as my happy friend Mr. Evans, of
Clay County, can of his precocious Ben Davis ; but I can report Ben
Davis and Winesap trees, five years from planting, yielding one bushel
to the tree ; in the seventh year, five bushels, and the tenth year nine
bushels.
I plant about one hundred trees to the acre. I intend to thin out
when they get too close. I prefer moderately low heads formed on the
second year's growth. I aim to prune only just enough to give proper
form to the head and direction to the branches. I cultivate each year,
till the seventh or eighth, from April to July, planting four rows of corn
late for fodder between each row, where I do not use the spaces for
small fruits. When the trees are forming spurs and fruit buds, I drop
AGRICULTURE AND STOCK. 993
the plow and cultivator and use the " stalk cutter " twice each summer.
This cuts the weeds and keeps the surface sufficiently open. Any weeds
under the trees not reached by the stalk cutter are cut with the scythe.
At the same time I begin to manure the surface, not to make the trees
grow, but to supply the organic matter needed to perfect the flowers and
the fruit. The decaying weeds, prunings and leaves also supply this defect.
I planted shelter belts of forest trees, varying in width from sixty
to 200 feet, at the same time that I planted the fruit trees. Decidedly
the best trees for shelter are the European larch and Scotch pine. The
soft maple is the best of our native trees. The Cottonwood is the worst
for shelter. But the larch is perfect in beauty, utility, growth and
shelter. Mine, planted eight years ago, two thousand to the acre, are
now sixteen to twenty feet high, as dense as heather and as straight as
rushes. The Scotch pine, along the inside edge of the larch grove,
gives it a warm, comfortable look. But to return to the apple, I must
say something about sorts, confining myself to experiments made here
on the prairie only. I have fruited here over thirty kinds, but have not
had time to test the slow bearing sorts. Some of these have not yet
fruited, such as Northern Spy, Yellow Bellflower, Rhode Island Green-
ing and Golden Russet.
Of early summer sorts, Red June and Summer Pippin do the best.
Early Harvest and Red Astrachan are tardy. Of late, Summer Duch-
ess and Early Pennock are ahead. These two bear abundantly while
young. St. Lawrence comes next with a full crop. Blush and Rambo
bear moderately, but the fruit is splendid. Snow has done nothing yet
but grow.
For early winter, Jonathan is unrivaled for productiveness, flavor
and color. The tree is hardy, and though small in the nursery, is one
of the best growers in the orchard. The Dominie is of equal value for
family use. Grimes' Golden gives good satisfaction. It is a very good
apple and a good bearer. Milam is scarcely up to its reputation. Late
winter acknowledges Ben Davis as king. His rivals, Winesap and
Janet, have hid their diminished heads. And yet Ben Davis is only a
third-class apple. But its money value is what does it, and money now-
a-days makes the apple as well as the man. The tree is a model for
size, symmetry, cleanliness, hardiness and an annual crop. The Janet
is second in rank. It does not bear as early nor grow as rapidly as the
Winesap, but it is a good, abundant bearer, and in seasons, such as the
past, with a late spring frost, it supplies most of our apples. It is a
slander on the Janet that " it bears only on alternate years." The
nearest old orchard to mine has in it about fifty Janet trees that have
borne nine heavy crops in twelve consecutive years. The average crop
on these fifty trees for twelve years has been at least ten bushels to
the tree per annum. The average price has been about ninety cents
per bushel in the orchard. The Janet lacks in color, but its color is
improved by late picking, as is also its flavor. It should be picked
generally two weeks later than the Jonathan or the Milam. There are
undoubtedly two varieties called Janeton, Janet, etc., one of them a
small, tough, red, conical bad cooking variety, and is the cause of much
of the prejudice existing against the grand old never-fail Rawles Janet.
Winesap disputes the rank with Janet, and some years is the lead-
ing apple. It is a sure bloomer, but its bloom is tender, and the apple
994 HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
is liable to spot or scab like the White Winter Pearmain, which does
moderately well here, but it is not a paying apple.
Limber Twig and Little Romanite, though small and inferior
apples, are among the paying varieties. They are good, constant bear-
ers and the fruit brings a good price in spring.
Willow, Stark and Talman Sweet are a prey to twig blight and
will be grafted over. I fear my row of Spys will share the same fate.
To sum up on the apple : The best paying orchard here would con-
sist of Ben Davis, Janet, Winesap and Jonathan. The great northwest
is our market and a good price is always certain. Janets have never
sold here for less than seventy-five cents per bushel.
PEACHES.
I suppose my experiments with the better sorts of peaches were
the first on these prairies. I cannot now enter on a detailed statement
of my successes and failures ; suffice it to say, I have raised three good
paying crops in seven years. The first crop being the third year from
planting. My best crop was in 1878. My peaches that year were the
finest I ever saw, east or west. Hale's Early were showy, but insipid,
some of them weighing eight ounces. Honest John — Fine flavor and
large, but not uniform. Stump the World — Every peach good, some
weighed eleven ounces. Smoc.k — Over-bore, heaviest crop of any.
They were all killed by last winter's freeze. Ward's Late Free — Very
heavy crop. Some specimens thirteen inches in circumference and
weighed thirteen and a half ounces each. Salway was my best late ;
trees tender.
I plant peach trees close, and do not cultivate after the second year.
The peach bears as early on the prairie as in the bluffs, but it grows too
rank and is liable to winter kill. However, one crop will pay here for
planting and growing a peach orchard.
Pears? Yes! "Tell it not in Gath." I planted one hundred and
filty, mostly standards. Magnificent growth for four years. And then ?
Ah ! the result : Expensive fuel, and about as many pears as there are
patriots in power.
Plum trees grow well, and are hardy here, but do not produce a
paying crop.
Of cherries only two kinds out of nine that I have tried are worth
planting, namely : Early Richmond and English Morello. Even the
Dukes are too tender to live ; but the Morellos seem as hardy as hazel,
and bear annually a fair but not a heavy crop.
Grapes, especially Concords, do as well here as the most sanguine
can desire. The Concord gives a full crop every year where it gets any
chance. I have not had even a partial failure in eight years. Hartford
does well, but only a few vines are needed as the Concord is better.
Delaware is a good family grape, but don't pay for market. Norton is a
failure ; Ives, ditto. Roger's Hybrids are interesting, but not certain.
The newer sorts are not tested yet.
Blackberries — The Kittatinny does well nearly every year, though
last year was a failure. The Lawton is a failure.
Raspberries — The Blackcaps only do well, but they bear heavily
nearly every year. Doolittle is absolutely necessary to every family on
the prairie.
AGRICULTURE AND STOCK. 99$
ATCHISON COUNTY AGRICULTURAL AND MECHANICAL ASSOCIATION,
The articles of incorporation for this association were filed at the
February term of the county court in 1867. The preliminary organiza-
tion was effected on the 18th of March following, at a mass meeting held
at the court house in the town of Rock Port, by the election of nine
directors, composed of Richard Buckham, of Benton Township ; Nelson
O. Hopkins, of Polk Township ; Solomon H. Hackett, of Nishnebotna
Township ; John W. Enoch, of Clay Township ; Joseph Cellers, of Buch-
anan Township ; William Van Leuven, of Tarkio Township ; William
E. Hurst, of Clark Township, and J. D. Dopf and P. A. Thompson for
the county at large.
On the first day of April, 1867, the following officers were elected :
Richard Buckham, President ; John D. Dopf, Secretary ; P. A. Thomp-
son, Treasurer, and J. W. Enoch, Collector.
The first fair was held on the 16th and 17th days of October, 1867,
under the auspices of this association, which was in e,very way an unquali-
fied success. The premiums offered amounted to about $550, and
were awarded to the following persons : James Buckham, Andrew
McCollister, P. A. Thompson, A. S. Campbell, A. Purcell, E. W. Caudle,
B. F. Dragoo, A. S. Noblitt, John H. Swan, William N. Thompson, S. H.
Hackett, Joseph Flack, M. J. Porter, S. K. Lewis, Thomas Angel, Wil-
liam Mc. Holliway, Charles Borchers, John W. Enoch, S. Brown, O. G.
Hale, David Bertram, W. H. Van Leuven, John Bain, Andrew Buckham,
Thomas Lytle, T. N. Morrow, J. W. Dunn, Miles Sickler, G. F. Smith,
A. E. Robertson, Amos Lewis, J. Y. Bird, A. B. Durfee, Thomas
Mitchell, Capt. Hope, Thompson & Ruland, O. R. Strong, Mrs. E. E.
Peck, William King, C. Spurlock, O. A. Holland, Mrs. T. Morgan, James
A. Carms, G. Cloepfiel, John Fox, J. C. Crosley, Mrs. M. Kime, Mrs.
Rhoda Parker, Mrs. Hackett, Mrs. Morgan, Mrs. J. A. Curry, Mrs. C.
Hurst, Charles Rentier, Mrs. E. Baccus, F. A. Gibbons, Mrs. F. Farmer
and Mrs. Belle Bush.
The benefits of such an organization, when rightly conducted, are
varied and manifold. The society places right ideals before the people,
and by various incentives, calls them to a higher plane of thought and
action. The best thoughts of the world, the results of much study,
experiment and investigation are transferred from all lands and brought
into the homes of the people. The premium list covers the whole circle
of human industries, and every family in the country feels the benefits
incident to emulation. The gathering of people in masses, and the
annual display of the best products for examination, comparison and
study, carries higher ideals and new thoughts to every home. Farmers
discuss these matters around the fireside, and their farm begins to show
improvement in every way. Improved breeds of stock are introduced,
996
HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
better seed is sown and new cereals tried, improved implements are
bought, farm houses are constructed on better plans, and the home is
furnished with many comforts and luxuries which would never have been
thought of without the fair.
The same officers were elected for 1868. The directors for that year
were : Thomas Lytle, Richard Buckham, John S. Morgan, P. A. Thomp-
SDn, S. Brown, W. H. Van Leuven, Robert Ferguson, George E. Steck,
and John D. Dopf.
Same directors for 1869. Officers for 1869 were : Richard Buck-
ham, President ; P. A. Thompson, Treasurer ; E. M. Hurst, Collector ;
John D. Dopf, Secretary ; A. E. Wyatt, Superintendent ; O. G. Sparks
and George Steck, Assistant Superintendents.
The officers for 1870 were : A. E. Wyatt, President ; Leopold San-
ders, Secretary ; A. B. Durfee, Treasurer ; John D. Dopf, Superintend-
ent ; George Steck and James Wood, Assistant Superintendents. The
directors for 1870 were the same as the preceding year.
The directors tor 1871 were : J. P. Holliway, Leopold Sanders, John
Richards, W. H. Van Leuven, George F. Smith, P. G. Morgan, B. M.
Bailey, John Hosfield, Richard Buckham.
The officers for 1871 were: George F. Smith, President; A. E.
Wyatt, Treasurer ; Leopold Sanders, Secretary ; John D. Dopf, Superin-
tendent ; George Steck and James Wood, Assistant Superintendents.
The last fair was held on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and
Friday, October 10, II, 12 and 13, 1871, and the premiums awarded
amounted to nearly nine hundred dollars. The ground (seven and a half
acres) owned by the stockholders, which is located in the southern part
of the city, became an addition to the city in 1872, and was divided into
lots, from the sale of which there has been realized the sum of $3,041.67,
which paid the stockholders about $45 each. There were thirty-three
shareholders. The shares were ten dollars each. Their names were :
John W. Enoch, Wm. H. VanLeuven, Wm. E. Hurst, A. B. Durfee,
F. M. Thompson, Richard Buckham, James Buckham, A. E. Wyatt, W.
M. Blake, Jeremiah Purdum, Charles Goss, Henry Beurhen, Fred.Traub,
J. J. Ebner, James F. Cooper, Leroy Cooper, Paul Kern, P. A. Thomp-
son, Hunter & Smith, George Deuser, C. H. Imhoff, L. H. Ruland, R.
Sommerheisher, George Traub, M. McKillop, John Dozier, J. H. Swan,
H. E. Robertson, B. F. Dragoo, J. O. Crosley, J. D. Dopf, J. Y. Bird, A.
S. Noblitt.
PATRONS OF HUSBANDRY.
[Contributed by a farmer ]
Granges of the Patrons of Husbandry were first organized in this
county by the State Deputy, (F. R. Allen), in April, 1873. The first
State Grange which met at Knob Noster, in June following, contained
AGRICULTURE AND STOCK. 997
two delegates from this county, viz : George Steck and C. E. Treadwell,
and the former was then appointed deputy for this county. The move-
ment extended so rapidly that early in the next year the county con-
tained twenty-four granges and about one thousand members. In July
1874, delegates from the various granges met in Rock Port, and organ-
izee a County Council, for the purpose of promoting more thorough
co-operation in all that pertained to the financial, educational, social and
moral advancement of the farming population of the county. A busi-
ness agent was elected, who gave bonds in $20,000. Merchants at that
time took large profits, and much was saved for a time by shipping
direct throught our St. Louis and Chicago agents. A co-operative store
was projected, and much of the stock subscribed. An elevator, a mill
and a packing house were seriously talked of, and no doubt some of
these would have become a fact if farmers had been wise enough to
attend to their own business.
In September, 1874, a grand picnic and mass meeting was held in a
grove, at which sixteen granges attended, with banners, regalia, etc.
Norman J. Coleman, of St. Louis, was the willing orator of the day, and
made a characteristic oration, ostensibly patriotic and farmer like, but
really demagogic and political. That shrewd political ruse called the
"People's Movement" was just then being hatched, and Coleman was
brooding over one of its biggest eggs, which he supposed contained the
governorship of Missouri. It did produce the sub-governorship, and
gave him an empty title. That day was the climax of the grange move-
ment in this county, and also the first move in a rapid decline. All
true grange work was for a time interrupted. Many became allured by
the phantom of office, and being disappointed, withdrew in disgust.
About half of the granges revived in 1875 and 1876, and many con-
tinue true to their principles, and hope yet for a permanent revival.
Patrons have accomplished much in this county, although they have
not realized half that they had hoped for. Hundreds have learned to
think for themselves, and to express their thoughts publicly. Many have
learned to do business by written orders and correspondence who for-
merly had to do everything of that sort through what were called " Busi-
ness Men," — one design of the Grange being to make every farmer who
had any capacity a business man ; wives ditto.
The Grange caused a far larger circulation of the best metropolitan
newspapers among farmers. More books were wanted, and wherever
the Grange has prospered circulating libraries have been begun. As
farmer's wives and daughters had equal rights in the Grange with their
husbands and fathers, good taste and domestic comfort was discussed
and cultivated.
CHAPTER XX.
NEWSPAPERS, RAILROADS, PUBLIC SCHOOLS, EARLY
CHURCHES AND MINISTERS.
ROCK PORT WEEKLY BANNER-ROCK PORT HERALD-MISSOURI EXPRESS— ROCK PORT
WEEKLY SEN IIN EL-ROCK PORT NEWS-GRANGERS' ADVOCATE— ATCHISON DEM-
OCRAT— THE SUN-THE DEMOCRATIC MAIL— ATCHISON COUNTY JOURNAL-REAL
ESTATE REGISTER— PHELPS CITY RECORD— TARKIO BLADE— TARKIO REPUBLICAN
FAIRFAX INDEPENDENT— WATSON TIMES-RAILROADS-QUINCY AND NEBRASKA
RAILROAD-QUINCY, MISSOURI AND PACIFIC— KANSAS CITY, ST. JOSEPH AND
COUNCIL BLUFFS-TARKIO VALLEY— WABASH, ST. LOUIS AND PACIFIC-TAXES
MILES OF TRACK— GRAIN AND STOCK— PUBLIC SCHOOLS-ENUMERATION— COUNTY,
STATE AND TOWNSHIP. FUNDS— SUPERINTENDENTS— EARLY CHURCHES AND
MINISTERS.
NEWSPAPERS.
The pioneer newspaper of Atchison County was the Rock Port
Weekly Banner, the publication of which was commenced in July, 1857,
about the time the county seat was changed from Linden to Rock Port.
It was Democratic in politics, and was edited by J. R. Van Natta, and
published by L. C. Kulp & Co., who continued to publish it until 1859.
Van Natta moved to Holt County, Missouri. Silas Puyear, a young law-
yer of Rock Port, became the editor about the 1st of July, 1858.
The Rock Port Herald was the second paper (weekly) published in
Rock Port. It was established about the last of November, 1859, and
was continued until the summer of 1861. George W. Reed was the
editor and proprietor, and had his office in the northeast corner of the
court house. At the time the paper was discontinued, it was published
on the corner of Rock and Water Streets. Reed is now in Mississippi,
where he is still engaged in the newspaper business. The Herald was
Democratic in politics.
Rock Port Weekly Sentinel. — On the 16th day of December, 1870,
the Sentinel Publishing Company began the publication of the Rock Port
Weekly Sentinel, with John C. Turk as editor. It was a seven column
paper. Democratic in politics. On the 3d day of February, 1871, P. T.
Smith became the editor, and on the 24th of the same month, the paper
was purchased by J. D. McNickle, who continued until March 23, 1872,
when it was bought by F. H. Brooks, who changed the name to the Mis-
souri Express. Brooks operated the paper until the 3d of February,
1874, when Hasness & Willard became the editors and proprietors,
changing the name to Rock Port News, which name it continued to bear
NEWSPAPERS, RAILROADS, ETC. 999
until the 17th of the same month (February) when it was called the
Grangers' Advocate, Willard retired from the Advocate on the 8th of
May following, and Hasness continued its publication until about the
10th of July, 1874. Hasness is now publishing the Holt County News,
at Oregon, Missouri.
The Atchison Democrat was established August 14, 1876, by Burt
Venable, Democratic in politics. As early as March 4, 1878, the paper
espoused the Greenback cause, and on July 21, 1881, the paper went into
the hands of the Sun Publishing Company, composed of a number of
farmers. James McCartney vvas president, and Kurt Venable editor and
business manager. The name of the paper was then changed to The
Sun. It continues under the same management, and although Green-
back politically, The Sun shines for all. It is the only paper in the
county that is printed entirely at home.
The Democratic Mail. — The first issue of the Democratic Mail was
on the 29th day of August, 1878, by Briggs, Kelso & Co., and, after six
issues, Briggs & Co. retired, having disposed of their interest to M.
Asbrook Kelso. The paper was conducted by Mr. Kelso until August
7, 1879, when it was purchased by Van Pelt & Blake, the present pro-
prietors. On July 15, 1880, the paper was enlarged to an eight-column
folio and appeared in a new dress, with the name changed to the Atchi-
son County Mail. It is the recognized organ of the Democratic party
of Atchison County.
The Atchisoii County Journal was established September 19, 1863,
the first number being issued on that day. The office was owned by a
stock company, of whom P. A. Thompson, Bennett Pike, A. B. Durfee,
and F. M. Thompson were members. The paper was edited by Colonel
P. A. Thompson, and its financial and mechanical management was in
charge of John D. Dopf. At that time there were only thirteen
country newspapers in the state, and but one or two news papers
published in the ninth congressional district. The Journal was the official
paper for Holt, Andrew, Nodaway and Atchison Counties. In the fall
of 1864 the stockholders in the Journal office, sold out their interest in
the same to John D. Dopf, who continued to edit and publish the paper
until the summer of 1865, when he sold an interest in the office to A. B.
McCreary, who remained in the business till April 1, 1881, when he was
superseded by Steele Morehead and Henry Coggins. The paper is now
conducted under the firm name of Dopf, Morehead & Co., and is six-
quarto in size. During the entire period of its existence — nineteen
years — it has made its appearance regularly and has steadily increased
in circulation and in influence. It is the recognized Republican organ
of Atchison County.
In July, 1870, the Real Estate Register, a monthly paper, was estab-
lished by Durfee. McKillop & Co., and continued by that firm for twelve
IOOO
HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
months, when it was conducted by John D. Dopf, who operated it for
two years longer. The above papers were all established and published
at Rock Port.
Phelps City Record : Scarcely had the town of Phelps City been
laid out and the wcrk of improvement commenced, before the printing
press was set to work as one of the aids in the upbuilding of the place.
The first number of the Record was issued on September 12, 1868, by
John D. Dopf, who was at the time, and is now the editor of the Atch-
ison County Journal. The paper was a seven column folio, and Repub-
lican in politics. It continued to flourish for the space of about four
months, after which time it ceased to exist.
Tarkio Blade came into existence in 1881, under the management
of M. A. and L. M. Kelso, Democratic in politics. After a few months,
J. G. Scott, now of Linden, purchased the paper, and in a short time,
sold out to L. M. Kelso, who published one or two issues and sold to
Robert Simons, who changed the name of the paper to the Tarkio
Republican. About the last of January or December, 1881, Simons sold
the paper to its present owners — Cowick & Robertson.
Fairfax Independent was established in February, 1882, by F. M.
Lowe, who is the editor, and Charles T. Taylor, who is the publisher.
Independent in politics.
Watson Times. — The first number of this paper was issued in the
summer of 1876, by Dr. Clark. It survived only a few months.
RAILROADS.
The earliest railroad enterprise in which the people of Atchison
County engaged was that projected in the spring of 1868, by what was
then known as the Mississippi and Missouri River Air Line Railroad
Company. A proposition to subscribe $100,000 to the building of the
road through the county was submitted by the County Court to the peo-
ple, to be voted upon on the 28th day of April, 1868. Although the pop-
ulation of the county was at that time a little more than half its present
number, and its taxable wealth but about one third of the amount shown
by the assessor's books of to-day (1882), yet the people determined to
secure, if they could, the advantages to be derived from having a rail-
road through their county, and voted with alacrity the amount of stock
demanded. They were destined, however, to be disappointed in their
expectations, for the railroad, to the building of which they had so lib-
erally subscribed, was never built within the limits of the county.
QJINCY AND NEBRASKA RAILROAD.
The next enterprise of the kind was the Quincy and Nebraska Rail-
road. A mass meeting was held at the court house on June 19, 1869.
NEWSPAPERS, RAILROADS, ETC. IOOI
We do not know what was done towards voting bonds to this railroad,
or whether anything was done, further than to hold one or two meetings
in reference thereto.
QUINCY, MISSOURI AND PACIFIC.
Although having been defeated twice in their efforts to secure a
railroad the people were not discouraged, and on the 14th day of June,
1870, another proposition to vote seventy thousand dollars was submitted
to be voted upon by the three following townships : Clay, Templeton and
Tarkio, the first and second twenty thousand each, and the latter thirty
thousand. The proposition carried in Clay and Templeton, but was
defeated in Tarkio. This vote was taken in behalf of the Quincy, Mis-
souri and Pacific Railroad, which, like its predecessors, was never con-
structed in or through any portion of Atchison County.
KANSAS CITY, ST. JOSEPH AND COUNCIL BLUFFS.
Other railroad enterprises may have been projected, but were never
consummated until in 1868, when the Kansas City, St. Joseph and
Council Bluffs Railroad was begun and completed, entering the county
at section 13, township 63, range 41, and running in a northwest direc-
tion through the county, and passing out at section 34, township 67,
range 42. This road was build at the company's expense, exclusively,
the county not subscribing one dollar in the way of bonds, or doing
anything to aid in its construction. The number of miles of track now
owned and operated in the county by this railroad company is 24^^,
about equally divided between Clark, Benton, Templeton, Nishnebotna
and Buchanan Townships. This line has stations at Nishnebotna, Phelps
City and Watson, where the company has erected good and commodi-
ous depot buildings.
TARKIO VALLEY RAILROAD.
The Tarkio Valley Railroad is a branch of the Kansas City, St.
Joseph and Council Bluffs, and was built in 1881 by the company. It
has twenty-four and a half miles of road in the county, including about
a mile of side tracks, and has erected depot buildings at Tarkio, Fairfax
and Westboro.
WABASH, ST. LOUIS AND PACIFIC.
This road is now known as the Council Bluffs and St. Louis, and was
built in 1879. It enters the northeast corner of the county at section
33, and passes out at section 32, and has but a little less than a mile and
a half ot road in the county.
1002 HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
AMOUNT OF TAXES AND NUMBER OF MILES OF TRACK.
For the sake of convenience we give the amount paid in taxes by
each one of the roads passing through the county, and the number of
miles owned and operated by each road :
K. C, St. Joe and C. B. paid taxes in 1880 $2,977 42
Tarkio Valley (Approximated) 1,400 OO
Wabash, St. Louis and Pacific 91 12
Total $4,468 54
K. C, St. Joe and C. B., miles of track 24-tto
Tarkio Valley 2^.j-^
Wabash, St. Louis and Pacific I-ro4o3o
Total number of miles ' 5°-ro°o3ir
BUSINESS DONE IN l88l BY RAILROADS IN THE COUNTY.
No. of cars of grain shipped from Phelps City 237
No. of cars of cattle and hogs shipped from Phelps City 260
No. of cars of grain shipped from Tarkio . 513
No. of cars of cattle and hogs shipped from Tarkio 378
No. of cars of grain shipped from Fairfax 59
No. of cars of cattle and hogs shipped from Fairfax 29
No. of cars of grain shipped from Nishnebotna 40
No. of cars of cattle and hogs shipped from Nishnebotna 170
No. of cars of grain and live stock shipped from Watson 821
PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
The following history touching the schools, early churches and min-
isters, we have found most difficult to write, owing to the difficulty in
obtaining full and accurate information. It should be the most interest-
ing of all the chapters in the book. We have endeavored to remain in
the realm of the real, and deal as little as possible in the ideal and imag-
inative. Comparatively little has been made a matter of record relating
to the early schools and churches of the county. What has been made
a matter of record and what has been remembered by the old settlers
whom we have seen is here given.
The schools of the county are sharing with the contents of the news-
boy's bundle, the title of the universities of the poor. The close observa-
tion of the working of the public schools shows that if the induction of
facts be complete, it could be demonstrated that the public schools turn
out more men and women better fitted for business and usefulness than
most of our colleges. The freedom and liberty of our public schools
afford less room for the growth of effeminacy and pedantry ; it educates
the youth among the people and not among a caste or class, and since
NEWSPAPERS, RAILROADS, ETC. IOO3
the man or woman is called upon to do with a nation in which people
are the only factor, the education which the public schools afford, espe-
cially where they are of the superior standard reached in this county, do
fit their recipients for a sphere of usefulness nearer the public heart than
can be attained by private schools and academies.
The crowning gloiy of American institutions is the public school
system ; nothing else among American institutions is so intensely
American. They are the colleges of democracy, and if this goverement
is to remain a republic, governed by statesmen, it must be from the
public schools they must be graduated. The amount of practical knowl-
edge that the masses here receive is important beyond measure, and
forms the chief factor in the pr >blem of material prosperity ; but it is not
so much the practical knowledge, which it is the ostensible mission of
the public schools to impart, that makes this system the sheet anchor of
our hopes. It is rather the silent, social influence which the common
schools incidentally exert.
It is claimed for our country that it is a land of social equality,
where all have an equal chance in the race of life ; and yet there are
many things which give the lie to this boasted claim of an aristocracy
of manhood. Our churches are open to all, but it is clear that the best
pews are occupied by the men of wealth and influence. The sightless
goddess extends the scale of justice to all, but it will usually appear that
there is money in the descending scale. It requires money to run for
office, or, at least, it takes money to get office.
The first experience of the American citizen of to-day, however, is
in the public school. If he is a rich man's son, his class mate is the son
of poverty. The seat which the one occupies is no better than that
occupied by the other, and when the two are called to the blackboard,
the fine clothes of the rich man's son do not keep him from going down,
provided he be a drone, neither do the patches on the clothes of the
poor man's son keep him down, provided he has the genius and applica-
tion to make him rise. The pampered child of fortune may purchase a
diploma at many of the select schools of the land, but at the public
schools it is genius and application which win. That state or nation
which reaches out this helping hand to the children of want will not lack
for defenders in time of danger, and the hundreds of thousands of dollars
annually expended for the common education of children is but money
loaned to the children, which they will pay back with compound interest
when grown to manhood.
In a modest, unassuming way, our schools inculcate lessons of com-
mon honesty. The boy hears his father make promises, and sees him
break them. Mr. Jones is promised twenty dollars on Monday. He
calls on Monday and again on Tuesday, and finally gets the twenty dol-
lars on Saturday. The boy goes with his father to church, and frequently
1004 HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
gets there after the first prayer. In vain does that father teach his boy
lessons of common honesty, when the boy knows that the father disap-
pointed Jones, and never reaches the church in time. The boy soon
learns at the public schools, that punctuality and promptness are cardinal
virtues : that to be tardy is to get a little black mark, and to be absent
a day is to get a big black mark. A public school in which punctuality
and promptness are impartially and fearlessly enforced is a most potent
conservator of public morals.
It has been often said that the State of Missouri has not only been
indifferent to the subject of education, but that she has been hostile to
the cause of common schools. To prove that these are gross misrepre-
sentations, and that her attitude toward an interest so vital and popular
does not admit of any question, it is only necessary to say that the con-
stitutions of 1820, 1865 and 1875, make this subject of primary import-
ance and guard the public school funds with zealous care.
The fact is, the constitution of no state contains more liberal and
enlightened provisions relative to popular education, than the Constitu-
tion of Missouri, adopted in 1875. During the past sixty years of her
existence, not a solitary line can be found upon her statute books inimi-
cal to the cause. No political party in all her history has ever arrayed
itself against free schools, and her governors, each and all, from 1824 to
the present time (1882), have been earnest advocates of a broad and lib-
eral system of education. As early as 1839, the state established, a
general school law and system, and in 1853, one-fourth of her annual
revenue was dedicated to maintenance of free schools*. Her people have
taxed themselves as freely for this cause as the people of any state.
With the single exception of Indiana, she surpasses every other state in
the Union in the amount of her available and productive permanent
school funds, the productive school fund of Indiana being $9,065,254.73,
while that of Missouri is $8,950,805.71, the State of North Carolina rank-
ing third. The State of Indiana levies a tax for school purposes of six-
teen cents on the hundred dollars of taxable values, and does not permit
a local tax exceeding twenty-five cents on that amount. The State of
Missouri levies a tax of five cents, and permits a local tax of forty cents,
without a vote of the people, or sixty-five cents in the country districts,
and one dollar in cities and towns, by a majority vote of the taxpayers
voting.
For the year ending April, 1880, only two counties in the state
reported a less rate of local taxation than the maximum allowed in Indi-
ana, only one the amount of that maximum, and the average rate of all
the counties reported, was about thirty-nine cents, or fourteen cents
more than the possible rate of that state.
It may not be known that Missouri has a greater number of school
houses to the population than Massachusetts, yet such is the fact. The
NEWSPAPERS, RAILROADS, ETC. IOO5
amount she expends annually for public education is nearly double the
rate, on the amount of her assessed valuation, that the amount expended
by the latter state is on her valuation, while the public school funds of
Missouri exceed those of Massachusetts $5,405,127.09.
The Missouri system of education is, perhaps, as good as that of any
other state, and is becoming more effectively enforced each succeeding
year. The one great fault, or lack in the laws, in reference to common
schools, is the want of adequate executive agency within the county.
The state department should have positive and unequivocal supervision
over the county superintendent, and the county superintendent should
have control over the school interests of the county, under direction of
the state superintendent. When this is done, the people of the state
will reap the full benefits that should accrue to them from the already
admirable system of free schools, which are now in successful operation
throughout the state.
ENUMERATION.
From the report of 188 1 we find there are in the county, between the
ages of six and twenty years, a grand total of five thousand and eighteen.
The county contains seventy-eight school-houses, and has in operation
seventy-nine schools. The value of the school property is about $60,000.
This sum is being added to at the rate of $3,000 per year, which amount
is now annually expended for the purpose of erecting new buildings..
For the successful operation of these schools 121 teachers are employed,
sixty-nine males and fifty-two females, at an average salary of $33-35.
the males receiving $38 and the females $28.70 per month. But few
counties in the state pay higher salaries to teachers than Atchison. The
amount paid out annually now to teachers approximates $22,000. In
addition to this amount the sum of about $1,700 is paid out for fuel, $1,070
for rent and repair, $1,800 to incidental expenses and $280 for salary of
district clerks. The average number of pupils, attending each day in
summer, is 1,538 ; in winter, 1,696; general average of attendance, 1,617.
The county school fund amounts to $ 86,643.10
The township school fund amounts to 46,827.34
Aggregating $133,470.44
The school fund for the year 1882 approximates 139,000.00
The above amount, which is the sum total of the township and
county funds, is excelled by only one county in the state, and by the
city of St. Louis. Jasper County has something over two hundred and
forty thousand dollars, and St. Louis something more than thirteen
hundred thousand dollars of a school fund. Saline ranks third, having
one hundred and thirty-two thousand. Considering the age of Atchi-
son County and its population, this is certainly a remarkable showing
and augurs well for the future of her public schools.
1006 HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
The amount on hand at the beginning of the school year for 1881
was $13,685.20 ; received from public funds, $14,144.13 ; received from
taxation, $11,478.74.
Atchison County educational affairs are in a flourishing condition.
The county has now become well supplied with comfortable, commodi-
ous school houses and good schools are taught in all the townships and
towns, sufficiently numerous and convenient for the accommodation of
all parts of the county. Educational interests are considered of the
highest importance, and means have not been spared to make the pub-
lic schools a success, and under the efficient management of those who
have held the office of superintendent the schools are attaining a high
standard.
The county teachers believe in the interchange of thought, also in
the community of effort, and are making the profession of teaching a
study as well as a practice. Teachers' institutes are now becoming ofj
regular and frequent occurrence, and are well attended by those who
take special interest in the work. The superintendent's examination
grades are now of such a standard, that all applicants do not attain
them, and for those who are successful after diligent study and prepara-
tion, it shows a more creditable standing, besides furnishing a much
more efficient class of teachers.
SUPERINTENDENTS OF SCHOOLS.
An act was passed by the Legislature on the 27th of March, 1845,
for the organization, support and government of the common schools,
and in 1846 Atchison County was divided into several school districts,
a commissioner appointed by the county court for each district.
The first county superintendent, or commissioner of common
schools for the county, so far as we have been able to obtain from the
records, was Solomon Wyatt, in 1853. His successors were Silas PuyearJ
William H. Dunbar, H. T. Trimble, George F. Bixby, Ephraim L. Clark,
Malcolm B. Nicholson, W. F. Drake, John W. Tate. D. McCall is the
present incumbent.
EARLY CHURCHES AND MINISTERS.
The banner of the cross of the Christian religion was first
unfurled in the new county of Atchison by the Methodists. As early
as 1842 the late lamented Enoch L. Marvin, Bishop of the M. E. Church
South, says, in his letter, published in the history of Holt County,
that he passed St. Joseph, in 1842, on his way to the frontier coun-
ties, and said that his field of labor embraced all the territory west
of the Nodaway River. Atchison County then must have been partly
NEWSPAPERS, RAILROADS, ETC. IOO7
the scene of his early efforts in behalf of the cause of Christ, and
many of the earliest settlers of the county, no doubt, heard the poor
young preacher, whose plain garb and unostentatious manners gave
no evidence at that time of the outcome that was in him, and of
the exalted position he afterwards achieved as a minister of the gos-
pel. The Bishop's letter, to which we have alluded, treats largely
of pioneer times and is well worth perusing. About the same time,
or perhaps one year later, the Rev. Benjamin R. Baxter, another
minister of the M. E. Church, held meetings at stated periods in Atchi-
son County. His first services were held at Calloway Millsaps, who
resided at that time on the Nishnebotna River, two and a half miles west
of the present town of Rock Port. He also preached in the neighbor-
hood of Harmons. Mr. Millsaps, who now resides in Rock Port, informed
us that the congregation which assembled at his house was composed of
his neighbors, some of whom lived many miles, and that it was a rare
occurrence to see a greater number than ten persons in the audience.
The pioneers were fond of attending religious services and held the min-
isters in high esteem, but that was a time when there were no bridges;
and when the inhabitants were few in number and separated from each
other many miles, the nearest neighbors oftentimes living at a distance
of five miles.
The Rev. Mr. Baxter afterwards officiated as pastor of the M. E.
Church South, in St. Joseph, in the fall of 1844.
The next denomination to proclaim the Word of Life in the county
was the Baptist — the Hardshell — through its representative, the Rev.
Isaac Odell. He came from Caldwell County, Missouri, in 1843 or J844,
and held two or three meetings in a school house, which had just been
erected on Mr. Millsaps farm, and returned to his home.
Then came the Rev. Jesse Allen, from Saline or Howard County,
Missouri, and held the first protracted meeting in the county — a union
protracted meeting — at or near Hunter's Bridge. This was about the
year 1846. Mr. Allen, sometime afterwards, usually held services at
what was known as the Rock Creek Church, located about one mile
southeast of Hunter's Bridge, on the road leading from Rock Port to
St. Joseph.
The early ministers of the Christian Church were Richard Buckham
and John Mullins, the former from Kentucky and the latter from Indi-
ana. They reached the county about the same time. Mr. Buckham
settled in Iowa, thinking that he was in Atchison County, as the date of
his coming was sometime previously to the settlement of the boundary
line between Missouri and Iowa. Mr. Mullins preached at what was
then known as Fowler's Mill.
There was another minister of the gospel whose name was Forman,
who should be classed among the earliest who came to the county. He
ioo8
HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
was killed by being thrown from a horse at the house of Mr. E. D.
Scammon, in this county.
The above then, perhaps, constitute the pioneer preachers who
were the first to officiate as such in the limits of Atchison County.
They braved the hardships and dangers of a new country, to carry the
gospel of peace to their fellow men, and sharing as they did the com-
mon perils and common privations which fell to the lot of all who came
to the county at that early day, their names are deserving of far more
extended mention than we have given, but for want of reliable facts
and data concerning these good and brave men our mention of them
has been necessarily brief.
CHAPTER XXI.
BENCH AND BAR.
HON. JOHN P. LEWIS,
the oldest of a family of ten children, was born March 10, 1843, in Mont-
rose, Lee County, Iowa, of parents in humble circumstances in life, the
father being a Pennsylvanian by birth and his rnother from Vermont.
They were of the hardy, vigorous class of pioneers, well acquainted
with the trials of the poor, wanting in the refinements of older com-
munities, but stronger for all that in that character and energy that
make good and valued citizens. Young Lewis remembers well when his
father studied medicine, of the close economy that was necessary in the
young family to enable the father to attend medical lectures at the Louis-
ville Medical College, during the days when many medical celebrities
were in charge of that institution. He remembers at five years of age,
being at Keokuk, and going down to look at the Mississippi River, the
awe with which he gazed upon the " Father of Waters."
At thirty-five years of age, he stood for the first time upon the shores
of the Atlantic, and was surprised to find the great ocean less wide and
wonderful than his childish dream of the Mississippi, and who has not
felt the same ? The rivers, the mountains, and the great oaks, had
dwindled to hills, brooks and small trees.
From five until seven years of age, his parents resided in Clark
County, Missouri, as tenants on the farm of Dr. Wayland, who lived on
the Des Moines River, six miles above. During the winters of these
years, his father attended the medical college. In the fall of 1852, the
family moved to Atchison County, Missouri, where the mother and the
most of the family now reside. The father died in January, 1869, after
an arduous and useful life in his profession.
The subject of this sketch, who was always called by his second
name, Perry, had no school advantages outside of the county school, and
what he could do for himself by home study, until he was sixteen years
of age, when he commenced teaching school — teaching two first schools
at Fancy Bottom, in the winters of 1862 and 1863.
In 1863 and 1864 he was for seven months a student at Tabor Insti-
tute, in Iowa. After that more school teaching was necessary. In the
fall of 1865, at the age of twenty years, he entered the law department
61
IOIO HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
of the University of Michigan, from which he was graduated in March,
1867, being one of the three youngest of a class of 150. Then other
years of school teaching followed, when he commenced the practice of
law at Rock Port, in May, 1868, where he has since been engaged with
splendid success. February 6, 1870, he was married to Miss Caroline
VanMeter, second daughter of John VanMeter, an old resident and large
farmer and stock raiser of Atchison County. Two children, boys, have
been born to the family, the elder, Charles Winfield, died in January,
1875, aged four years. The younger, Edgar Albert, is five years of age.
Mr. Lewis was elected to the state legislature in 1872 and served
during two sessions of that body. He ran the second time in 1878, but
was defeated by fifty votes. He is a Republican in politics, has held no
other official position, except in school matters, with which he has been
closely identified for twelve years. Few men enjoy a better reputation
for integrity, firmness and sound judgment than the Hon. John P. Lewis.
JAMES M. OSBORN, ESQ.,
was born March 15, 1853, at Mount Pleasant, Iowa, and is the son of
Samuel and Rachel Osborn. He resided there until he was thirteen
years of age, and until the death of his mother, which occurred the 7th
of July, 1865. In 1867 he came with his father to Fairfield, Iowa, where
he spent two years attending school, and where he finished his edu-
cation. In 1869 he went to Mills County, Iowa, where he lived with
his uncle one year and a half. He then removed to Saline County,
Nebraska, where he continued to reside until September, 1876, during
which time he was principally engaged in teaching school. He arrived
in Missouri in September. 1876, and continued to teach and at the same '
began the study of law with his brother, S. J. Osborn, at Rock Port,
Missouri. After applying himself closely to the study of law for two
years, still teaching school all the time, he was admitted to the bar in
Atchison County, Missouri, in 1878, and in the spring of 1879 ne com-
menced the practice which he has followed ever since at Rock Port.
His father was a native of West Virginia, and his mother a native of
North Carolina. Mr. Osborn is a single man.
MALCOLM M'KILLOP
was born April 17, 1837, in Inverness, Megantic County, Province o^
Quebec, Canada. His father, Donald McKillop, was a native of Scot-
land, and emigrated to America about the year 1830, settling in Canada.
He was by occupation a farmer. Flora McEchren was also a native of
Scotland. Malcolm McKillop was reared on a farm, but his educational
advantages were of the best character. His literary course was com-
BENCH AND BAR. TOC I
pleted at the University of Vermont, from which institution he was
graduated in 1861. The expense of his collegiate training, was main-
tained principally by himself, he earning the means by teaching school
at intervals. After leaving college, he took charge of the academy at
Morrisville, Vermont, and was employed there as an educator for about
two years. In 1863, he went to Windsor, Canada West, and obtained a
government appointment of the Sandwich Grammar School, which insti-
tution he conducted for about two years. During these latter years, he
employed his leisure hours in the study of law, and in 1865, he was
admitted to the Canada bar, at Windsor. In January of that year, he
took up his residence in Dixon, Lee County, Illinois, where he continued
his legal studies in the office of Judge P. Goodwin. He applied himself
closely to study for one year, when in February, 1866, he was admitted
to the bar of Illinois, by the supreme court of that state, sitting at
Springfield. In the following April he located at Rock Port, Atchison
County, Missouri, and began the practice of his profession. He was suc-
cessful from the first, and soon secured an extensive and remunerative
practice. In the fall of 1868, he was elected county surveyor, and held
the office four years. In 1867, he was appointed superintendent of com-
mon schools by Governor Thomas E. Fletcher, and held the office dur-
ing 1867-68. In 1875, he was elected to represent the First Senatorial
District in the State Constitutional Convention, and although in a polit-
ical minority, he wielded a fine influence in that body.
In the year 1862, he was made a Master Mason in Mount Vernon
Lodge, No. 8, Morrisville, Vermont. In 1867, he became a member of
North Star Lodge, No. 157, Rock Port, Missouri, of which he has been
W. M. for several years. In 1873, he took the Royal Arch degree in
Zerubbabel Chapter No. 59, at Phelps City, Missouri, of which Chapter
he is now a member. About the same time he took the Council degree
in Adoniora Council, No. 12, Royal and Select Masters, of which he is
now the Thrice Illustrious Master. He now holds, and has held for
several years, the position of District Deputy Grand Lecturer of the
Fifteenth Masonic District of Missouri, composed of the counties of
Atchison and Holt. In 1874, he was made a Knight Templar in Hugh
De Payne Commandery, in St. Joseph, Missouri, and is now a member
of St. Joseph Commandery, No. 4, Knights Templar.
In December, 1881, he was made a pilgrim knight of the Oriental
Order of the Palm and Shield, of which order he is now a divisional chief.
In 1880 he joined Northwest Lodge, No. 134, A. O. U. W., and was one
of the charter members of Rock Port Legion, No. 12, S. K. A. O. U. W.,
of which he was elected Select Commander at its institution, and to
which position he has since been twice elected. He was elected Grand
Commander of the States of Missouri and Kansas, at the session of the
Grand Legion of S. K. A. O. U. W., held at St. Joseph, Missouri, in Feb-
IDI2 HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY. '
ruary, 1881, and is the present Grand Commander for Missouri and
Arkansas. He was elected Vice Supreme Commander of the Supreme
Legion of S. K. A. O. U. W., at the session of the Supreme Legion, held
at Chicago, in September, 188 1, which position he now holds. He was
married December 19, 1868, to Miss Carrie L. Thurbur, of Como, White-
side County, Illinois. They have three children : Ella L., Ethel M. and
Eva.
JOSIAH W. PECK
was born in Mount Bridges, Canada West, September 28, 1856. His
parents were also natives of Canada. His father's name was E. E. Peck.
When at the age of five months his parents removed with him to Atchi-
son County, Missouri, where he has since resided. He was reared on a
farm and continued agricultural pursuits until the age of sixteen years,
when he began to teach school. After teaching several terms he then
attended the State University at Peru, Nebraska, where he remained
nearly three years. In September, 1876, he entered the State University
at Madison, Wisconsin, remaining there until June, 1877. He com-
menced the study of law in June, 1879, with M. McKillop, and was
admitted to the bar at Rock Port, Missouri, in 1880, and during the win-
ter of i88o-'8i he attended the law department of the Washington Uni-
versity, at St. Louis, Missouri. In the spring of 188 1 he became a law
partner of M. McKillop, of Rock Port. He is a member of North Star
Lodge, No. 157, A. F. and A. M., a member of Zerubbabel Chapter, No.
59, a member of Northwest Lodge, No. 134, A. O. U. W., and a member
of Rock Port Legion, No. 12, S. K. A. O. U. W.
HON. FRANK M. JOSLYN
was born in DeKalb County, Illinois, March 30, 1845. His father, Harn
Joslyn, was a native of New York, and married Lucy Waterman, a
native of Providence, Rhode Island. He resided in DeKalb County,
working on the farm and attending school, until the age of seventeen,
when he went to California. He remained there for about eight years,
engaged in mining. He then moved to Jewell County, Kansas, where
he took a homestead claim and began the study of law, purchasing his
own books. Here he lived two years, and came to Oregon, Holt County,
Missouri, and was engaged in teaching school in that vicinity until the
fall of 1877, when he located in Phelps City, Atchison County, Missouri.
In the following fall he became a resident of Rock Port, Missouri, andi
was admitted to the bar of Atchison County, in 1880. He has been
judge of the probate court since the fall of 1880. He is a member of the
Masonic order. Was married November 29, 1881, to Miss Ida Buckham,
who is a native of Atchison County, Missouri, where she was born March
23, 1858, and is the daughter of Dr. Richard Buckham.
BENCH AND BAR. 1013
JOHN C. HUNT
was born in Randolph County, Indiana, in 185 1. His father, Mills Hunt,
a native of Bath County, Kentucky, married Mary E. Botkin, of Knox
County, Tennessee, moved to Edgar County, Illinois, in 1869, and in
1870 John entered Thomas J. Lee's Academy, at Loxa, Coles County,
Illinois, where he remained until May, 1874. He commenced the study
of law June 20, 1874, with his brother, O. P. Hunt at Tuscola, Douglas
County, Illinois, and entered the Law School at Ann Arbor, Michi-
gan, October, 1876, from which he was graduated March 30, 1878.
He commenced the practive of law in Edgar County, Illinois, in June
1878, under the suvervision of Hon. B. N. Bishop. He left that county
in April, 1879, f°r Texas; left Texas for Atchison County, Missouri, in
August, 1879. Here he taught school until September, 1880. Was
elected prosecuting attorney of Atchison County, in November, 1880.
He has since formed a law partnership with Judge F. M. Joslyn.
JUDGE JOHN D. CAMPBELL.
Like many of his contemporaries in the practice of law, the sub-
ject of this sketch is a self-made man, struggling on up to manhood
from childhood, battling with many adverse circumstances, but never
ceasing his labors until success crowned his efforts. John D. Campbell
is the son of A. P. and Susan Campbell, and was born on the first day
of February, 1846, near Greenville, in Green County, Tennessee. He
commenced the study of law at his home in 1865, and when about
twenty years of age, became a resident of Greenville, the home of
Andrew Johnson, once president of the United States. Upon his
arrival at the age of twenty- one years he was licensed to practice
law and was enrolled as a member of the bar at Greenville. He
removed to New Post, Cocke County, Tennessee, with the intention of
entering into practice, but in lieu thereof taught school for two terms
in the academy at that place, continuing to prepare himself for active
practice. January 1, 1868, he was married at Bull's Gap, Tennessee, to
Lavinia J. Myers, and on the 10th of March following left for Rock
Port, Missouri, where he located in May, 1868. His wife died in 187.1,
and he was married again October 23, 1873, to Miss Jennie K. Hunter,
of Atchison County, Missouri. He was elected prosecuting attorney of
Atchison County in 1872 and re-elected in 1874, and has since 1868
been engaged in active practice.
L. D. RAMSAY.
The subject of the following sketch is a native of Missouri, having
been born in Andrew County. When only fifteen years of age he .chose
IOI4 HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
the profession of law, and applied himself at once with great dilligence
to that study, for a number of years. He was admitted to the bar
of Atchison County, Missouri, during 1874, by Hon. H. S. Kelley, Judge
of the Twenty-ninth Judicial Circuit. January 7, 1872, he was married
to Miss Sarah E. Ramsay, daughter of G. R. Ramsay, of Atchison County.
He located in the town of Rock Port, in 1876, and in June, 1878, formed
a law partnership with Hon. John P. Lewis, and is still a member of the
firm of Lewis & Ramsay. He was elected to the office of prosecuting
attorney for Atchison County, in 18 , and filled the position in a man-
ner satisfactory to all. He has a good practice, but makes a specialty
of the criminal part of it, in which he takes great delight. Mr. Ramsay
is a self made young man, possessing great energy of character and
most excellent habits. His father, L. L. Ramsay, at one time resided in
Lafayette County, Missouri, and built the first house that was erected in
Jefferson City.
A. B. DURFEE.
Mr. Durfee is a native of Marion, Marion County, Ohio, where he
was born October 26, 1834. His father, Joseph Durfee, was a native of
Fall River, Rhode Island. His mother, whose maiden name was Marga-
ret Moore, was a Pennsylranian by birth. He lived in Marion, attending
the common schools of his county, and a college at Delaware, Ohio,
where he remained three years, then entered a college at Athens, Ohio,
remaining two years. In 1852, he came to Fort Madison, Iowa, where
he followed the pursuit of civil engineering, and at the same time applied
himself diligently to the study of law, being admitted to the bar at that
place. In the fall of 1858, he went to Nebraska, and in the following
spring he came to Rock Port, Atchison County, Missouri, where he has
lived ever since, engaged in the practice of his profession. From 1870
to 1882, he was a partner in the Atchison County Bank. From 1862 to
1866, he was treasurer of Atchison County. He is a member of the
Masonic and I. O. O. F. orders, and also a member of the Ancient Order
of United Workmen. He was married in May, 185 1, to Miss Sallie Todd,
of Atchison County, Missouri, who died March 22, 1881. Four children
have been born unto them : Charlie, Joseph, Abbie and Sallie.
JUDGE L. W. CAMPBELL
was born in Greene County, Tennessee, July 15, 1855. His father, Archi-
bald S. Campbell, who now resides near Watson, Atchison County, Mis-
souri, is a native of Tennessee. His mother's maiden name was Nancy
Jones. She was also a native of Tennessee. When L. W. Campbell
was two years of age, his parents and family moved to Atchison County,
where he has since resided. He received the advantage of a common
BENCH AND BAR. 1015
school education in Atchison County, Missouri, and in 1873 he entered
the State Normal School at Peru, Nebraska, where he was a student for
three years. He then began the study of law, under J. D. Campbell, of
Rock Port, Missouri, and in the spring of 1878, was graduated in the law
department of the State University of Missouri, after which time, he
began the practice of law with John D. Campbell, continuing as a part-
ner with him till October, 1879, when he was appointed probate judge,
to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Judge Templeton, his term of
office expiring January, 1880. He has acted as justice of the peace
since the fall of 188 1. He was married September 8, 1880, to Miss
Alice A. Squire ; who was born in Kansas September 4, i860. Her
father, Albert Squire, was a native of Connecticut, and her mother,
Charlotte Longenecker, of Pennsylvania. They have one child— Lottie.
PIONEER ATTORNEYS.
The following attorneys were enrolled at the first term of the Cir-
cuit Court held in the county : John Wilson, James B. Gardenshire, T.
D. Wheaton, Levi Carr, John C. Morris, D. G. Price, P. L. Hudgens,
James Foster, John W. Kelly, James Craig, Francis M. Warmcastle,
Willard P. Hall.
CHAPTER XXII.
CRIMES, INCIDENTS, ACCIDENTS.
FREEMAN HALSEY— DANIEL LAFOLLETT— MURDER OF CAPTAIN S. A. HUNTER-ROBERT-
SON HUNG BY A MOB-BILL LEWIS-A MYSTERIOUS AFFAIR— DESPERATE AEFRAY—
HIGH WINDS AND STORMS— EARTHQUAKE.
FREEMAN HALSEY.
While Atchison County cannot boast of many grave or noted crim-
inal trials, there are a few crimes which have been committed within her
borders, that are of sufficient interest and importance to be mentioned
in this work. We regret exceedingly that the facts which constitute the
following chapter are so meagre ; such as they are, however, we shall
now present them :
Though not the first homicide, Freeman Halsey was the first man
tried in the county for murder. In 1856, and for some years prior, Free-
man Halsey and Harrison Davis had resided in the northwestern part of
the county as neighbors, in the vicinity of a place called El Paso, on
the Nishnebotna River. Just previously to the circumstances which we
are about to relate, they became enemies. They were men of rough
habits and manners, and in the spring of 1856, before the county seat
was moved to Rock Port from Linden, they happened to meet at the
latter place, where, by the use of liquor, they renewed their quarrels.
At the time, both parties were in the street on the north side of the
public square. After an altercation of words, Halsey drew his knife,
rushed upon and stabbed Harrison, and cut him so terribly that he died
in a short time.
Halsey was indicted for murder in the first degree, by the first grand
jury that was empaneled at Rock Port after the removal of the county
seat, and was tried at the same term of court. The indictment was
returned into court on the 27th, and he was tried, convicted of murder
in the second degree, and sentenced to a term often years in the peni-
tentiary, on the 29th of October, 1856 — very strikingly in contrast with
the delays of most subsequent trials of a criminal character.
Elijah H. Norton, one of the Judges (at the present time) of the
Supreme Court of the State, was the judge, and James N. Burnes, acting
at the time as circuit attorney, tried the case. Richard Rupe, Valentine
Livingston, William Woolsey, Robert Anderson, Henry M. Bush, John
CRIMES, INCIDENTS, ACCIDENTS. IOI7
Handley, L. White, Jacob Hughes, George Rader, Andrew Tribble, Jon-
athan Shepherd, L. Young, James W. Garrison and Isaac Law, were the
grand jurors who indicted him, and John G. Sutton, John Harrington,
William King, Calvin Strange, P. R. Christian, Thomas S. Ely, William
McK, Reuben Hawkins, B. F. Reynolds, James Roberts, John W. Elliss
and William Barber, were the trial jurors who found him guilty. One-
third of the grand jurors and two-thirds of the petit jurors are still living.
The case was not appealed, and Halsey was sent to the penitentiary.
He was a man of perhaps more than ordinary intelligence, but was of
the long haired, frontier, dare devil tpye.
DANIEL LA FOLLETT.
The next homicide that resulted in a conviction for murder occurred
November 7, 1864, near Stafford's Mill, in the southwestern part of the
county, in which Daniel LaFollett, a drunken desperado, shot and killed
an inoffensive German, by the name of Charles Baker, almost without
provocation. The difficulty arose out of a controversy, involving the
sum of seventy-five cents. The tragedy occurred at a time of great
excitement, when men were familiar with blood and crime, when the
motives of base men were scarcely under restraint when afforded an
opportunity to come to the surface. It was during the war and on the
day of Lincoln's second election. LaFollett was permitted to escape
and was not even indicted by the grand jury until the April term of
court, 1866. William Herron was the judge and I. C. Parker circuit attor-
ney, the latter drawing the indictment. Parker was afterwards judge of
the circuit court, then representative in Congress from this district, and
is now Judge of the United States Court for the Western District of
Arkansas, residing at Fort Smith. LaFollett fled the country and his
whereabouts were long unknown. During 1874, in the early part of the
year, the officials ascertained that he was living in the state of Illinois.
The necessary requisition was made on the Governor of Illinois and Jas.
Tate was appointed messenger to take and bring the criminal to Mis-
souri.
When found, LaFollett had settled down and reformed from his past
life. Instead of a wild, reckless, drinking, swearing desperado, he had
become a quiet, industrious and respected citizen, and had become a
member of the church. During his trial and subsequent imprisonment
in the penitentiary, he has sustained his quiet, unobtrusive Christian
character, taking his punishment as his merited desert.
He was brought to the county at the May term, 1874, and was tried
at the September term following, resulting in a conviction for murder in
the second degree, and a sentence of twelve years in the penitentiary.
Under the three-fourths rule, his good behavior will entitle him to a dis-
IOlS HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
charge in September, 1883. He was defended by Messrs. Durfee &
McKillop, Judge Henry S. Kelley on the bench, and John D. Campbell,
prosecuting attorney.
MURDER OF CAPTAIN S. A. HUNTER.
Under head of "Another Murder," the Atchison County Journal, of
March 31, 1866, thus refers to the deed: "On Thursday last, the 22d,
Captain S. A. Hunter, late of the Ninth Missouri Cavalry, was brutally
murdered near the Missouri River, in Buchanan Township, by William
R. Robertson. The immediate cause of this sad affair we learn from
rumor, was a quarrel between the parties respecting the sale of some
cord wood. Captain Hunter had purchased a lot of wood from Robert-
son, who afterwards sold the same to a boat passing up the river. Hun-
ter went to see him, and an altercation was the result. Hunter started
off as if going home. Robertson thereupon used some abusive language,
which caused Hunter to return. He took Robertson by the collar and
gave him a shake. Robertson then drew his revolver and shot him.
Hunter turned round and Robertson shot him a second time. Hunter
died almost immediately. Robertson at once took to flight, and has not
yet been captured, though pursuit has been kept up, and the friends are
offering large rewards for his capture. Captain Hunter is well and favor-
ably known in Northwest Missouri, and his loss in the community will
be deeply felt. Robertson does not enjoy a very good reputation in the
neighborhood in which he lived, which fact will go hard with him if
taken.
This is the third murder that has been committed in this county
since the commencement of the present year, and the fact that no one
of the murderers has yet suffered the penalty of their crime, goes far
towards making these affrays so numerous. Let the grand jury at once
find bills against these parties, and one or all suffer as the law
directs, and there will be less violence and bloodshed. In the days of
the rebellion, even, such outrages in our community were not so com-
mon, and this, in a measure, results from the fact that honest and upright
citizens have long since ceased to carry weapons of defense, those who
retain them being mostly of a class that need watching."
The same journal in its issue of April 7, 1866, says : " From Sheriff
Wyatt we learn that William Robertson, who murdered Captain Hun-
ter on the 22d of March last, was arrested in Linn County, Missouri, a
few days ago and taken to Iowa, where the officer who captured him
will receive the reward offered for him, and that Sheriff Wyatt will
start at once for him and take him to Oregon, Holt County, for confine-
ment until his trial. Thus must another convict render an account of
his inhuman acts. We hope that law and justice will attend to his case
CRIMES. INCIDENTS; ACCIDENTS. IOI9
well, and if he be found guilty to make an example of him. It is high
time that a stop should be put to this nefarious work, and it only
remains with our civil courts to do this thing."
The Journal of the 14th of April of the same year contains the
following account of another bold murder in the county :
ROBERTSON HUNG BY A MOB.
" As we stated in our last issue, William Robertson was captured
and on Friday last brought to this place in custody of Sheriff Wyatt.
Saturday morning he was taken to Buchanan Township for examina-
tion, as we learn, at his own request. 'Squire Cellers being absent
from home and not returning till late in the day, the trial was not over
until late in the afternoon. Robertson waived an examination and was
committed. The sheriff and his posse were stopping at the house of
Captain Woolsey, half a mile below the site of the old town of El Paso,
and directly after dark the house was suddenly surrounded and entered
by a band of armed men who took Robertson away and doubtless hung
him, as he was found next day hanging from a tree in the neighbor-
hood.
The sheriff and his posse did all in their power to save their pris-
oner from his impending doom, but resistance was useless with a band
of persons, perhaps one hundred armed and determined men, and it is
fortunate that farther bloodshed was not the result of these men taking
the law into their own hands.
We regret that any portion of the people of Atchison County should
so far lose confidence in the ability of the law to punish the guilty as to
undertake its enforcement, in violation of law. And now that four lives-
have been lost and many others made unhappy for life, and society been
disturbed and disorganized, we hope to see our officers renew their vig-
ilance and show a determination that the guilty shall not go unwhipt of
justice. To the bad management of the first murder (that of the murder
of Johnson) may be traced the origin of this affiair, or the origin of the
facts which caused these men to think and act as they did."
The mob is believed to have been headed by the notorious Bill
Lewis, a noted character in that day, and though endowed with some
good traits of character, turbulent and overbearing in his demeanor.
He was arrested, with others, on suspicion of being concerned in the
murder of Robertson. He managed as did others concerned in the out-
rage, to have his trial moved from place to place, at great cost to him-
self, until finally the matter was worn out, and he^ escaped justice.
BILL LEWIS.
Many stories are told of Bill Lewis as a practical joker. Many of
•of these jokes, it appears, savored as much of malice as of fun. On one
I020 HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
occasion, it is related that he offered the captain of a boat on which he
happened to be traveling, ten dollars for the privilege of ringing the
bell. This diversion he kept up, to the annoyance of the passengers,
till the captain was glad to return to him the money and pay him, besides,
a bonus to induce him to forego his contract. In another of his drunken
moods, he is said to have mounted the drum of a large stove on the fore
wheels of a wagjon, in the semblance of a cannon. With this planted
on the river bank, at the Sacramento landing, he hailed and ordered a
passing boat to round to and land — a command with which the captain
of the craft, apprehensive of being blown out of the water, promptly
complied, when he discovered, to his infinite disgust, the nature of the
formidable fieldpiece, and recognized one of Bill Lewis' practical jokes.
A MYSTERIOUS AFFAIR.
The following well illustrates the power of circumstantial evidence :
W. King, who resides two and a half miles south of Rock Port, on the
farm originally settled by the Fowlers, in the summer of 1878, had in his
employ two men, Barney Gordon and Hiram Phillips, the latter twenty-
five or thirty years of age, and the former a young man barely grown.
Both were engaged at work in the timber. Hiram was chopping and
Barney was hauling with a team. Both had endeavored to pay their
compliments to the same young lady, who was living at Mr. King's.
They went out into the timber one day to work, as usual. In the
afternoon or evening Hiram came home, went to the well, drank two or
three cups of water, seemed somewhat excited, and finally asked if Bar-
ney had come back. The answer was, he had not. He then stated that
Barney's team was up in the woods, fast, and that the tongue of the wagon
was broken. Mr. King went after the team and found the wagon and other
things as stated. That evening, or some other time previously thereto, he
told the girl that he had or would kill Barney.. He was a sullen, solitary,
morose appearing individual. Barney failed to return that night. Sus-
picion began to be aroused. Search discovered a few drops of blood on the
fresh chips, near a newly cut stump. Barney had only taken with him in
the morning his every day clothes, but left his valise and principal cloth-
ing, and a dollar and ten cents in money, at Mr. King's. Mr. King was
owing him, besides, almost a month's wages. Hiram had been seen to go-
into the woods the next day after Barney was missing. Suspicion grew
stronger until he was finally arrested on the charge of murder, the suppo-
sition being well founded that a foul crime had been committed, and that
poor Barney had been'murdered and his body secreted by his comrade.
Vigorous search through the hills and woods was made for the miss-
ing man, but as Hiram had had several days in which to dispose of the
body, but slight hopes were entertained of finding it. 'Thirty or forty
CRIMES, IN'CIDENTS, ACCIDENTS. 1021
persons at different times, explored the woods, the streams and old wells,
but found not the missing man. A large club, about three feet in length,
was found in the hollow of a tree, supposed to have been secreted there.
A place had been discovered where the ground had been dug up and
filled again, but examination revealed nothing, though it was thought
that a slight stench was detected, which led some to suppose Barney
had at first been buried there, and then removed. At the end of a week
quite a number of buzzards were seen sailing above the woods ; a doctor,
high in his profession, who had been used to the dissecting room, in
passing through the woods got two or three scents from some decaying
body, which he said, must be that of a human being. But all search
seemed unavailing ; the body itself could not be found. Word was sent
to Barney's friends who lived in Kansas ; they had heard nothing of him.
His father came up to be present at the preliminary trial, before the
justice. Hiram could give no bond ; in fact the case was not a bailable
one. After ten days the case came up for trial, and strange as it may
seem, the justice discharged the prisoner, and he left the country. In a
few days afterwards, Barney's body was found in Trent County, Iowa,
walking around in perfect health, unconscious of the furore and commo-
tion his silent disappearance had made. If he ever gave any account of
his mysterious action, we have not been informed.
DESPERATE AFFRAY.
The Atchison County Journal, of February 24, 1866, says: "This
little town of Sonora was thrown into quite an excitement on the 12th
instant, over a stabbing affray, the parties being John Stinson and Joseph
Smith. The first bad feature in the affair was that it originated in a
grocery, or as Father Doyle calls it, a gate to hell. It appears from the
sworn evidence that Smith made a challenge to fight any g — d — man
in Sonora. Stinson considering himself that sort of a man, accepted the
challenge, so they went at it, Stinson striking the first blow and knock-
ing his antagonist down, then seizing him by the hair of the head, com-
menced the work of annihilation, Smith claiming that he was whipped.
About this time knives were seen in both their hands. Stinson at this
time stabbed Smith, inflicting a mortal wound, at the same time thrust-
ing the fatal instrument into his lungs to make the work sure. The
weapon he used was a bowie knife, the blade six inches long. Stinson
was taken off Smith. Smith then ran for his life, but his conqueror not
being satisfied with the work he had done, swore that he would kill him,
and seizing a wagon neck yoke, pursued Smith, overtook him, and would
have ended his life there, had not a spectator interfered and prevented
him from beating his brains out, Smith all the time claiming that he was
whipped. In all the annals of the four years' war that we have passed
1022 HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
through, I have never read anything more cruel. Stinson was arrested
by Justice Morgan and brought to trial, and because he is bound over in
the sum of $2,000, some of his Christian neighbors claim that the justice
of the peace committed a great error, and did not exercise impartial
justice."
HIGH WINDS AND STORMS.
The Atchison County Journal, of June 24, 1865, says :
"The court house, owing to the great weight of the cupola, during
the late high winds, has been considerably damaged. A crack in the
east wall, something like an inch in width is visible in the clerk's office.
Something should at once be done to strengthen the walls."
The same paper of July 1, 1865, says :
"On Wednesday evening last, June 28, 1865, a terrific storm came
up from the west, which in its course struck the court house, completely
unroofing the 'same. The damage done is not less than $3,000, and
perhaps the total loss of the building. Fortunately, the clerks had left
their offices but a few minutes before. The storm seems to have been
somewhat extended in its effects. We hear of many smaller calamities
in its wake."
EARTHQUAKE.
The Journal of April 24, 1867, says: "The building occupied by
Messrs. Hunter & Hurst and L. B. Stivers, on Main Street, we are told,
rocked backward and forward like a cradle, causing the inmates to sud-
denly vamoose. Dr. Dozier's drug store, on the opposite side of the
street, was jarred considerably, causing several bottles to fall from the
shelves. The same was the result at Mr. E. L. Clark's store, only the
shock was more perceptible. Other buildings were shaken to a consid-
erable degree, including the court house, which received a very severe
shock. The Journal office did not escape without some damage, as a
considerable amount of live matter was knocked into pi. The appear-
ance of an earthquake in this county is decidedly a new feature, as the
oldest inhabitant can attest."
The Missouri Express says : " On the 15th of June, 1872, a heavy
storm of wind and rain visited Rock Port and vicinity. Holliway &
Bro. and Deuser's fine store houses were unroofed and the tin rolled
together like a scroll. The rafters of the new Baptist Church were
thrown over and several other houses damaged. If the storm was as
severe in the country as here, barley and other grain and fruit must be
seriously damaged."
CHAPTER XXIII.
FINANCIAL HISTORY.
Abstract of the valuation of Atchison County, Missouri, for the
years hereinafter named :
i855.
KIND OF PROPERTY. No. Valuation.
Polls 526
Land 64,655 $ 400,682
Town Lots 335 24,488 ,
Slaves 51 21,725
All other property 173,216
Total $620, 1 1 1
1857.
Polls 684
Lands 192,199 $ 1,120,753
Town lots 710 55.687
Slaves 75 37. 780
All other property 226,769
Total $1,441,169
1859.
Polls 858
Lands 275,252 $ 1,207,317
Town lots :*... 1,131 67,430
Slaves 68 29,600
All other property ' 335.857
Total $1,640,204
i860.
Polls 927
Lands 337,723 $ 1,415.649
Town lots 1,072 64,895
Slaves 60 26,325
All other property 298,730
Total $ 1,805,599
1024 HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
1864.
KIND OF PROPERTY. No. Valuation.
Polls 743
Lands 317.937 $ 833.996
Town lots 1.093 27,934
All other property 247,275
Total $1,109,205
1867.
Lands 258,194 $ 891,323
Town lots 802 37.577
Horses 2,744 162,012
Mules and asses 576 38,565
Cattle 10,037 111,122
Sheep 9,326 18,585
Hogs 23,537 71.942
All other property 249,342
Total $1,580,468
1870.
Lands 3 10,686 $ 1 ,678,641
Town lots 1,665 50,072
Horses 3,868 194,892
Mules and asses 704 42,091
Cattle 12,466 165,045
Sheep 8,500 8,500
Hogs 34,089 87,786
All other property 344,040
Total $2,571,067
1875.
Lands 319,704 $ 2,406,562
Town lots 1,957 1 1 1,711
Horses 6,005 257,328
Cattle , 21,463 227,512
Sheep 5,988 5,988
Hogs 52,160 I39.079
Mules and asses 1,184 58,553
All other property 481,728
Total 3,688,461
1880.
Lands 330,615 3.374-956
Town Lots 1,877 180,639
Horses 7,009 238,622
Mules 2,049 88,402
Asses 37 i,755
Cattle 27,472 309,883
FINANCIAL HISTORY. 1025
kind OF PROPERTY. No. Valuation.
Sheep '. 6,661 6,963
Hogs 69,461 1 13,899
All other property 783,564
Total 5,098,683
1882.
Lands 330,183 $3,847,850
Town Lots 2,010 209,562
Horses 7,791 302,331
Mules 2,481 1 14,589
Asses and Jennets 28 i»590
Cattle 32,826 454,599
Sheep , 6,456 7, 141
Hogs 51,429 136,755
All other property 1, 023,134
Total . $ 6,097,551
The above figures show the rapid increase in value of personal and
real property in the county, since 185 5» and gives an evidence of mate-
rial growth and prosperity that should be highly gratifying to every
citizen of Atchison County. The county has no bonded indebtedness
of any kind, and in fact, no debts that cannot be paid at any time.
The amount of outstanding warrants is $3,482.65, $800 of which
belong to the diking fund. These debts are merely nominal, and can
be paid at any moment. The school fund approximates $139,000. The
pauper fund reaches about $3,000, and is constantly increasing, as the
poor farm pays its own way, being now entirely out of debt.
65
CHAPTER XXIV.
OFFICIAL DIRECTORY.
CIRCUIT JUDGES.
Solomon L. Leonard was appointed Judge of the Twelfth Judicial
Circuit, by John C. Edwards, Governor of Missouri, on June 13, 1845, and
served to the April term, 185 1.
William R. Almond was elected Judge in August, 185 1, and pre-
sented his commission as such at the October term, 185 1, and served to
the April term, 1852.
E. H. Norton, from 1852 to i860.
Silas Woodson, from October, i860, to October, 1863.
William Heven, from April, 1864, to November, 1868.
Isaac C. Parker, from May, 1869, to September, 1870.
Bennett Pike, from January, 1871, to January, 1872.
Henry S. Kelley, from May, 1872, to the present time and is the
present incumbent.
CIRCUIT ATTORNEYS.
At the September term, 1846, the court appointed Willard P. Hall
Circuit Attorney, pro tern.
Isaac N. Jones, from 1846 to 1848.
L. Archer, from 1849 to 1852.
Thomas Ward, from 1852 to 1853.
James Craig, from April, 1853, to 1856.
J. M. Bassett, from April, 1857, to October, i860.
Thomas Thoroughman, from i860 to 1861.
Joseph P. Grubb, from 1862 to 1865.
Isaac C. Parker, frojn 1865 to 1868.
Jeff. Chandler, from 1868 to 1869.
B. K. Davis, from 1869 to 1872.
T. C. Dungan, from May, 1872, to September, 1872.
John D. Campbell, from 1873 to 1876.
Stephen J. Osborn, from July, 1876, to January, 1879.
CIRCUIT CLERKS.
Alexander A. Bradford, appointed clerk, by Henderson Young,
Judge of the Seventh Judicial Circuit, on the 26th day of April, 1845, and
served until the November term, 1849.
OFFICIAL DIRECTORY. IO27
Joseph D. N. Thompson, elected clerk August, 1849, and served as
clerk to November term, 1853.
James M. Templeton, from 1853 to 1866.
A. F. Tiffany, from 1866 to 1874.
John W. Smith, from January, 1875, and is the present incumbent.
COUNTY CLERKS.
Alexander A. Bradford, from 1845 to 1850.
Joseph D. N. Thompson, from 1850 to 1853.
James M. Templeton, from 1853 to 1875.
Lewis C. Christian, from 1875 to 1879.
Martin L. Lee, from 1879 to l883-
PROBATE JUDGES.
Probate business was transacted by the county court until 1872.
The first probate judge was Jeremiah Purdum, 1872 ; re-elected. James
M. Templeton, Landon W. Campbell, Frank M. Joslyn, present incum-
bent.
SHERIFFS.
L. T. Tate, from 1845 to April, 1846.
John W. Freeman, from June, 1846, to August, 1846.
B. M. George, from 1846 to 1849.
John Hays, from 1849 to l850.
Thomas J. Jones, from 1850 to 1855.
F. S. Moore, from 1855 to 1858.
Charles F. Miller, from 1858 to i860.
John W. Smith, from i860 to 1862.
A. E. Wyatt, from 1862 to 1866.
William M. Blake, from 1866 to 1869.
Don A. Colvin, from 1869 to 1873.
Henry Warneke, from 1873 to 1877.
Thomas H. Oliver, from 1877 to 1880.
James B. Gray, from 1880 to 1882.
COUNTY COURT JUSTICES.
Appointed March 13, 1845, Alexander McElroy, Daniel Hunsaker,
Elijah S. Needles.
From 1846 to 1848, Charles McDonald, Daniel Hunsaker, Richard
Rupe.
From 1848 to 1849, Richard Rupe, Charles McDonald, John C.
Scott.
1028 HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
From 1849 to J^o, Richard Rupe, Charles McDonald, George Bor-
chers.
From 1850 to 1852, D. Lamb, H. C. Cawler, Henry S. Hill.
From 1852 to June 1852, D. Lamb, Henry S. Hill, Joseph F. Still.
From June, 1852 to 1854, D. Lamb, William Woolsey, Joseph H.
Jamison.
From 1854 to 1857, Michael Kime, E. S. Needels, N. W. Swift.
From 1857 to 1858, N. W. Swift, Samuel B. Tate, E. S. Needels.
From 1858 to 1861, William Hunter, Samuel B. Tate, Thomas M.
McAdams.
From 1861 to 1864, William Hunter, James A. Taylor, Thomas M,
McAdams.
From 1864 to 1865, William Hunter, Elijah S. Needels, Franklin
Merrill.
From 1865 to 1866, Franklin Merrill, Henry P. Moore, James Hunter.
From 1866 to 1871, James Hunter, David Bertram, James Carms.
From 1871 to 1872, James Carms, James Hunter, Leonard R. Sanders.
From 1872 to 1873, James Carms, James Hunter, Adolph Bertram.
From 1873 to 1875, James Hunter, Adolph Bertram, Ezra M. Hurst.
From 1875 to 1877, Adolph Bertram, Ezra M. Hurst, W. H.Morgan.
From 1877 to 1879, Ezra M. Hurst, W. H. Morgan, John F. Sly.
From 1879 to l88l» John T- Wells, J. J. Denny, Wm. B. Houts.
From 1881 to 1883, Albert Gerdes, J. T. Wells, William Campton.
TREASURERS.
Frank M. Warncastle, from 1845, but declined to serve.
Moses Beal, appointed May, 1845, to April, 1847.
Edward Hall, from April, 1847, to February, 1849.
Stephen F. Nuckolls, from February, 1849, to February, 1855.
W. L. Van Doren, from February, 1855, to August, 1855.
John Y. Bird, from August, 1855, to 18—.
E. M. Hurst, from November, 1866, to 1869.
Robert Hunter, from July, 1869, to November, 1872..
John Wright, from November, 1872, to November, 1880.
J. E. Spurlock, from November, 1880, to November, 1882.
ASSESSORS.
Henry Watts from April, 1845, to August, 1845.
William Sparks from September, 1845, to June, 1846.
Moses Beal from July, 1846, to 184-
John Jones.
U. S. Hightower, 1854.
OFFICIAL DIRECTORY. IO29
In 1857 the county was divided into five assessment districts :
First District — Nathan W. Swift. Assessor.
Second District — Pharis Millsaps, Assessor.
Third District — Samuel Tate, Assessor.
Fourth District — Franklin Merrill, Assessor.
Fifth District — Harvey Williams, Assessor.
L. C. Christian assessed half the county from 1859 to i860.
Jeremiah Purdum half from 1859 to i860.
U. S. Hightower, 1862.
Jeremiah Purdum, 1867.
Frederick Marlatt, 1869.
Ephraim L. Clark, 187 1.
William J. Harrington, 1876.
William Bently, 188 1, present incumbent.
COUNTY SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENTS.
Solomon Wyatt, Silas Puyear, William H. Dunbar, H. T. Trimble,
George F. Bixby, Ephriam L. Clark, Malcolm B. Nicholson, W. F. Drake,
John W. Tate, Dougal McCall, present incumbent.
SURVEYORS.
— Bruce, appointed in 1845. Cornelius Schubert, William H.
Dunbar, John D. Dopf, M. McKillop, S. S. Hughes, James S. Howell, S.
S. Hughes, present incumbent.
1
REPRESENTATIVES.
F. M. Warmcastle, 1846 ; Dr. Aull, 1848 ; Isaac Wilson, 1850 ; Solo-
mon Wyatt, 154; Nelson O. Hopkins, 1856 ; R. K. Crandall, 1858 ; Dr.
William Arnold, i860; John, W. Enoch, ; James M. Templeton,
; John P. Lewis, 1873 ; Charles V. Snow, ; A. S. Campbell,
; Ezra M. Hurst, 1880, present incumbent.
SENATORS.
[See history of Holt County, official directory, chapter XX.]
^S^#f^ff^
CHAPTER XXV.
BRIDGES, POST OFFICES, OLD SETTLERS, CALIFORNIA
EMIGRANTS.
COUNTY BRIDGES.
If Atchison County is abundantly watered with streams of various
magnitude and importance, the enterprise of her people has amply
provided the highways crossing the same with substantial and well-
kept bridges. These continue to be supplied from time to time as the
necessities of the case demand, and there are at the present time
(March, 1882) one hundred and nineteen of various dates and dimen-
sions completed and in use within the limits of the county, besides
three others now under contract. These are distributed among the ten
municipal townships, into which the county is divided, as follows :
Buchanan Township, eleven bridges ; Polk Township, nineteen and a
half; Clay Township, fifteen and a half; Nishnebotna Township, one-
half; Templeton, one and a half; Benton, one and a half; Clark, six
and a half; Dale, twelve ; Tarkio, twenty and a half; Lincoln, thirty
and a half.
The following is a full and correct statement of the different num-
bers by which these bridges are known, as well as of the dimensions
and materials of which they are constructed, together with different
sections, townships and ranges in which they are located :
Name of Bridge.
.
■*-»
<D
V
**-•
Du
c
la
V
C
J=
,
JZ
e
O
c
CUD
u
is
c
c
3
0
a
0)
£
C/3
E-
(A
hJ
Material.
Groh. . ,
Burnett. .
Needle . ,
Colvin . .
Watson.
Lewis. .
State Line,
Milton . .
Millon . .
CamDbell.
I
4
63
4i
130
2
21
64
4i
130
3
17
64
4i
130
4
3°
65
4i
130
5
1
65
42
126
6
3
66
42
140
7
35
67
42
125
8
9
63
40
9
9
63
40
10
27
64
40
60
Wood
Combination
Iron
Iron
Iron
Iron
Iron
Combination
Combination
Wood
BRIDGES, POST OFFICES, ETC.
COUNTY BRIDGES — Continued.
1031
Name of Bridge.
aj
s
c
o
-4— I
*-'
<u
ID
uz,
Cu
u-
0
in
U
J5
&u
bo
c
c
O
rt
<u
r1
ti
.J
Material.
GUkerson. . .
Ranney. . . .
Wright . . . .
Deal
Van Leuven . .
Kime
Tarkio ....
Fanning. . . .
Baker. . . . ,
Nuckolls . . .
Woolsey . . .
Clement. . . .
Miller. . . . .
Hurst . . . .
Hall
And is . . . .
Centre Point. .
Bartlett. . . .
Westboro. . . .
Day
Hugh Long . .
Upper Tarkio .
Trotter
Perry
Essex ....
Davis
Davis . . . . ,
Peck
Davenport . .
McCollister . .
J. Christian . .
J. Rankin. . .
New Westboro.
Cow
Murphey . . .
Beck
Whalen . . . .
Whalen ....
Hunter ....
Sutton ....
Hughes ....
Rock Port . . .
Geiger. . . .
Not named . .
Not named . .
Walters ....
1 1
1 2
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
39
3°
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
3«
39
40
4i
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
5°
5'
52
53
54
55
56
9
27
36
3
3
6
14
23
12 & 13
7 '
16
4
24
7 •
31
31
2
32
16
16
10 & 15
3
18
7 & 18
7&8
7&8
7&8
8
35 &36
24
24
9 & 10
15 & 16
19
32
18 & 1 9
7
8 & 17
9
3
34
?7
23
15 & 22
15 & 22
1 1 & 24
64
65
66
65
65
66
65
65
66
65
65
65
65
66*38
67
65
65
66
66
66
66
66
66
66
66
66
66
66
66
66
66
66
66
65
65
65
65
65
64
64
65
65
65
65
65
65
40
40
49
40
40
39
40
40
40
39
39
39
39
38
40
40
39
39
39
39
39
39
39
39
39
39
39
40
40
40
39
39
40
40
40
40
40
4i
4i
4i
4i
4i
4i
4i
40
60
60
60
60
60
60
60
60
40
40
40
40
40
40
40
22
60
60
5°
84
5°
40
40
Wood
Combination
Wood
Wood
Combination
Wood
Wood
Wood
Combination
Combination
Combination
Wood
Wood
Wood
Wood
Combination
Wood
Combination
Combination
Wood
Combination
Combination
Combination
Combination
Wood
Wood
Wood
Combination
Combination
Wood
Wood
Combination
Wood
Wood
Combination
Iron
Combination
Wood
Wood
1032
HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
COUNTY BRIDGES — Continued.
Name of Bridge.
4->
<u
u
<*-
d
o
u
■
r
E
a
o
a
c
is
be
c
1— «
bo
c
3
o
rt
u
53
oo
fen
Pi
J
Material.
Stevenson
North
Deats
Laumon
Quince
Quince
Upper Rock Creek
Not named ....
Vogler
R. C. Church . . .
Beal
Shelley
Van Meter. . . .
Zook ......
W. Wallace . . .
Westman ....
Hopkins
Moore
Zook Cowen . . .
Clayton
Beatte
Lower Her. . . .
Upper Her ....
Robinson ....
Stoner
Mile Creek . . .
Hamilton ....
Blevins
Pebley
Bona ......
Chyle
De Arnon's . . .
Quinn
Wolf
Turner .....
Grant.
Bigley
Powers
Zook or York . .
Read
Wisherd
Pelton
Walkup
Creed
Latelle
57
2
65
41
5«
1
65
41
59
20 & 2Q
66
40
6o
8 & 17
66
40
6i
10 & 11
66
4i
62
10 & 1 1
66
4i
63
4 & 9
66
40
64
17 & 20
64
39
65
35
65
4i
60
66
22
64
4i
24
67
20
66
4i
60
68
22
66
4i
.
69
13 &24
66
41
70
10 & 15
8 & 1 7
66
4i
71
1 7 & 22
66
4i
•
72
22
66
4i
40
73
17 & 18
66
40
40
74
20
66
41
.
75
13
66
4i
76
7
66
4i
40
77
36
67
42
40
7«
35
67
42
40
79
35
67
42
40
80
35
67
42
48
81
28
66
4i
20
82
2
63
4i
20
83
36
64
4i
40
84
32
61
40
85
4
63
40
86
18
63
39
87
6 & 7
63
39
60
i8
31
64
39
89
31
64
39
40
90
3°
64
39
40
91
9 & 16
64
39
40
92
9
64
39
40
93
3&4
64
39
40
94
34
65
39
40
95
26&3S
65
39
20
96
26
65
39
40
97
5,6,7,8
65
38
40
98
6
64
38
40
99
35
64
39
60
100
16
63
39
IOI
2
63
39
Wood
Wood
Wood
Wood
Combination
Iron
Wood
Wood
Wood
Combination
Combination
Wood
Wood
Wood
Combination
Combination
Combination
Wood
Wood
Wood
Wood
Combination
Wood
Wood
Wood
Wood
Wood
Wood
Wood
BRIDGES, POST OFFICES, ETC.
COUNTY BRIDGES — Continued.
1033
Name of Bridge.
0>
JO
E
s
o
u
4-1
aj
<l>
D.
C
<u
JC
—
Cf
be
S
a
c
O
to
u
E-
04
J
Material.
Trout. . . .
Homer . . .
Fish
Woolsey. . . ,
Long Branch.
Wood . . .
No Name . .
Bristle . . .
Willow Slough.
Gooch . . .
Griffen . . .
Cies ....
Little Lewis..
No Name. . .
Edwards . .
Ellmore . . .
Greer . . . .
Second Greer
Barger . . . .
Fleming . .
Daniels. . .
102
103
104
*°5
106
107
108
109
no
III
112
J«3
114
"5
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
n
65
40
30
65
39
8 & 9
65
39
40
8
65
39
19.20,30,40
66
3«
20 & 29
66
tf
19 & 20
66
38
8 & 17
66
38
a
4
66
\2
10
66
41
3
66
41
9 & 16
64
39
3
66
42
40
16
66
38
40
24
65
39
40
7
63
39
5°
2
65
4i
40
2
66
41
40
31
65
40
40
3l
64
39
40
5
66
39
40
Combination
Combination
Combination
Combination
Wood
Combination
Combination
Wood
Wood
Iron
Iron
Wood
Wood
Wood
Wood
Wood
It must be inferred from the foregoing that the bridges of Atchison
County, because of their great number and the character of their con-
struction generally, constitute an important item of expense to the
county. During the year 1880 there was expended for the erection of
bridges and repairs, the sum of $6,798.49, and in 188 1 the sum of $16,-
167.77. The average amount annually expended for this purpose is
about $7,000.
POST OFFICES.
For the sake of convenience, we have arranged in their order the
names of the different post offices in the county:
Dothan, Dale Township, Van Dunn, Postmaster.
Elk Dale, Dale Township, Mrs. Benson Bond, Postmistress.
Fairfax, Clark Township, S. P. Jewell, Postmaster.
Hope Chapel, Dale Township, D. P. Kyle, Postmaster. Discontinued.
Langdon, Benton Township, L. H. Ruland, Postmaster.
London, Tarkio Township, H. J. Hendricks, Postmaster.
Magnet, Polk Township, A. Millsaps, Postmaster.
6(5
1034
HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
Homer, Tarkio Township, Ezra D. Johnson, Postmaster.
Milton, Clark Township, Samuel Van Gundy, Postmaster.
Nishnebotna, Clark Township, O. A. Bopst, Postmaster.
Phelps City, Templeton Township, N. B. McCreary, Postmaster.
Powellton, Lincoln Township, E. F. Powell, Postmaster.
Rock Port, Clay Township, John D. Dopf, Postmaster.
Tarkio, Tarkio Township, Mrs. E. A. B., Postmistress.
Watson, Nishnebotna Township, S. C. Danford, Postmaster.
Westboro, Lincoln Township, Mrs. E. A. Coe, Postmistress.
York, Tarkio Township, F. Greenlee, Postmaster.
OLD SETTLERS FROM 184O TO 1850.
Below will be found the names of 167 of the earliest settlers in the
county, alphabetically arranged :
Amen, Ralph.
Acord, Jacob.
Applegate, John.
Argyle, A. H.
Applegate, James.
Aull, Dr.
Allen, J. W.
Brown, J. M.
Bradford, A. A.
Burns, J. P.
Bruce, H. H.
Beale, Moses.
Barker, D. H.
Brown, William.
Bethard, S.
Bush, F. C.
Buckham, R. S.
Boler, John.
Branston, John.
Baird, John.
Borchers, George.
Borchers, August.
Benoist, F.
Booth, T. P.
Brown, C. P.
Bird, J. Y.
Bull, A.
Cooper, Stephen.
Cornogg, William.
Curry, Edward.
Cooper, J. W.
Chap de Lain.
Cook, J. K.
Cloepfield, C.
Caudle, Hugh.
Clasbey, James D.
Comfort, S. J.
Cowles, C. H.
Cole, Jesse.
Carter, J. F.
Chamberlain, J.
Cummins, J.
Copeland, John.
Daniel, William.
Dailey, William.
Evans, F. M.
English, D. M.
English, Caleb.
English, Margaret.
Farmer, Thomas.
Fulkerson, M.
Fowler, James.
Fugitt, S. C.
Farmer, Jere.
Fish, Walter.
Freeman, John W.
Forsythe, Enoch.
Fren, William.
Freers, John.
Farmer, Joshua.
Flanagan, Richard.
Gemecker, A.
Garrison, A. E.
Gilhan, Rachel.
Gaunts, S.
George, B. M.
Greenwood, Thomas.
Graves, W. E.
Harbin, James.
Hunter, William.
Harness, Peter.
Hanley, J. R.
Hunsaker, D.
Helm, J.
Hawkins, R.
Hitchcock, R.
Hayes, H.
Hall, E.
Hawkins, Reuben.
Happt, Fences.
Hull, Edward.
Hull, J. C.
Jackson, Asa.
Jones, John.
RRIDGFS, TOST OFFICES, ETC.
I035
Jesse, A. C.
Johnson, J. T.
Jones, M. M.
Jones, David.
James, John.
Jones, G. F.
Kime, A.
Killison, J.
King, Samuel.
Kennedy, J. F.
King, William.
Lovelady, T. N.
Livingston, V.
Lambert, William.
Lowber, D. D.
Lee, Giles.
Lacy, E.
Lowe, Nicholas.
Lowe, Isaac.
McKissock, J.
McLaughlin, P. L.
McDonald, C.
McLane, — .
Moberly, James.
Millsaps, C.
Markwood, R.
Miller, J. W.
Meek, N.
McElroy, A.
Martin, John.
Martin, James.
Norris, Leo.
Needels, E. S.
Nuckolls S. F.
O'Neal, H.
Oliver, J. W.
O'Flanegan, — .
Poites, William J.
Pillkinton, L.
Parman, W. G.
Parman, James.
Poor, Edward.
Plitt, L. W.
Rafferty, S. B.
Robertson, J. W.
Roberts, James.
Rupe, R.
Roundtree, H. O.
Rhodes, L. P.
Scammon, E. D.
Skeen, A.
Stewart, A.
Singleton, A. J.
Scott, J. C.
Stafford, William.
Smith, Sampson.
Sparks, William.
Sisher, E.
Stephern, Jesse.
Silva, E.
Stapleton, Esther.
Slusher, Eli.
Stoner, J.
Standford, P. M.
Still, J. F.
Sipes, John.
Skidmore, M. K.
Snow, C. V.
Tate, L. T.
Tate, L. S.
Thomas. W. C.
Teague, William.
Thompson, J. T.
Venable, J., Dr.
Van Leuven.
Watts, H.
Warmcastle, F. M.
Wolf, George.
White, Hes.
Whipple, P.
Wade, Jeff.
Wells, William.
World, Joseph.
Whitehead, J. H.
Wolsey, William.
Wallis, J. F.
CALIFORNIA EMIGRANTS.
Atchison County, like almost every section of the country in the
United States, during the years 1849 and 1850, was afflicted with the
gold mania, and so prevalent did it become, even in the salubrious and
sparsely settled county, that, perhaps, one-half of the adult male popu-
lation caught the infection and took up their line of march for the
golden shores of California. Among the pioneers who wended their
way thither, braving the dangers of the long and lonely route, were the
following :
James Helm, Doctorman Helm,
Davenport Helm, John Hank,
Turner Helm, John Hank, (cousins),
Vernal Thompson, James Thompson,
Henry Bush,
Daunt Helm,
Leander Seymour,
John Wallace,
1036
HISTORY OF ATCHISON COUNTY.
George Thompson,
William Ward,
Henry Hampinstall,
dinger,
John Hawk,
William Farmer,
Martin Cozine,
Welcome Fowler,
Jack Thompson,
Lansfield,
James Hunter,
Thomas Akins,
Marble Jones,
James Worl,
Burly Vaughn,
Crighton Hays,
Jacob Richley.
Samuel Beck,
Henry Ward,
Rodney Hopkins,
Jake Hawk,
George Klaus,
Justis Hall,
William Price,
Samuel Fowler,
Joseph Garrison,
Marlin,
John Beard,
James Akins,
James Low,
James Hays,
Yates,
James Sandford,
Frank Beck,
Samuel Hampinstall,
Clinger,
Ham Hawk,
Dr. J. Y. Bird,
N. O. Hopkins,
John Bender,
Thomas Fowler,
Schubert,
Alexander Handley,
Alexander McFlroy,
Nathen Meeks,
Conrad Cloepfield,
John Cole,
Mark Buckham,
H. M. Hays,
& , lh^ L^j. / U. n V, H /, *>,y.
J
>
'<t \
I )^ h,qf'«JT ^
vl
u
BRIGHAM YOUNG UNIVERSITY
3 1197 21121 1583
Date Due
All library items are subject to recall at any time.
SEf ft'l toutJ
SEP 0 7 ?nf
R
OCT 15 2010
i
Brigham Young University
ify ii H St,